New mayor and deputy announced for Bungay

Councillor Mary Matthews, the newly elected mayor of Bungay with deputy mayor Mick Lincoln. Picture: Bungay Town Council. (Image: Archant)

Mary Matthews was elected as mayor of the town at the council's annual general meeting held last night.

Meanwhile, Mick Lincoln, who was once Cllr Matthews' English teacher at Bungay High School, was elected as deputy mayor.

Cllr Matthews said: 'I am incredibly proud to take the position as mayor and look forward to working as a collaborative, progressive and united council who are forward, rather than backward facing.

'I think it is important that in order to fulfil this, and I include myself, all personal politics and agenda are left at the chamber door in order to do the best for our community.

'I am looking forward to attending events and also engaging with the community, especially youngsters, so they are aware of the work we at the council are doing and why we do what we do.'

Although she has only been a councillor since March 2016, she is a familiar face to many in the town.

Most notably, she is the organiser of the very successful street fairs which take place three times a year in the town.

She was seen most recently with a can of spray paint in hand marking out the pitches last Saturday for the Bungay Garden Street Market.

She lived in her the area during her youth, and was taught by Mr Lincoln during the mid 1980s.

She returned to the area around 20 years ago and has two children.

Mr Lincoln has retired from the teaching profession and has lived in Bungay for around 30 years.

He was also elected onto the council last year.

He said: 'Obviously, we need to do the best we possibly can for the town and its people.

'I believe Bungay is a great place to live but I know also that it has great potential to be even better. I am particularly interested in what Bungay has to offer its young people and I expect as a councillor to be involved in this aspect of our town.'