Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge have a new Mayor and Mayoress after being elected by town councillors on Monday (May 18th).
Michael Clarke and his wife Maria were chosen by councillors after outgoing Martin and Arlene Cox’s two years in the role came to an end.
“It is a great honour to be chosen – we’re both looking very much forward to a busy and active year ahead, meeting many of the towns’ groups and residents,” Michael told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“We hope to meet as many of the community in Burnham and Highbridge by attending various events,” he added. The couple, who previously served as Mayor and Mayoress from 2010-11, live in Burnham and have been married for 20 years.
Outgoing Mayor Martin Cox said: “I am truly honoured to have served as Mayor and to have attended over 300 events – we can all be proud of the community we have in Burnham and Highbridge.”
He thanked his wife, Arlene, for her work as Mayoress, plus Dennis Davey and Mike Mansfield as his deputies, Rev Graham Witts as the Mayor’s Chaplain, Melanie Severe as the Mayor’s Cadet, and the council’s clerk Denise Emery and staff.
Martin was presented with a Past Mayor’s Badge, while Arlene was handed a bouquet of flowers to thank her for her work.
Council leader Peter Burridge-Clayton said the couple had served with “great dignity and had been fine ambassadors for the towns.”
During Monday’s meeting, Cllr Bill Hancock was elected Burnham and Highbridge’s new Deputy Mayor while Cllr Paul Young was chosen as Second Deputy Mayor, pictured below.
