Women rule the roost in historic city

THEY MAY be under represented on most company boards, but in York’s corridors of power, women are making their presence felt. Today, when Coun Barbara Boyce is officially appointed as Lord Mayor the city will have its first ever all-female civic party.

More than 100 guests are expected to attend the Guildhall for the official swearing in ceremony at which Gillian Brian will also take over the role of Sheriff from Jonathan Tyler.

Coun Boyce, who left school at 16, returning to education as a mature student, said: “I am honoured and humbled to become York’s first citizen for the year ahead. My family has lived in York for generations and came from very ordinary backgrounds.

“My father was a bricklayer and I started work as a teenager. However, I am very fortunate to have had opportunities not available to my parents and grandparents. If, as Lord Mayor, I can do anything that will improve the lives and prospects of other citizens then it will have been a success.”

The title of Lord Mayor of York is the second oldest in the country after London and following this morning’s ceremony, the new civic party, led by the Superintendent of York Police, Supt, Adam Thomson, will parade through the city.