History is made as new borough mayor sworn in

HISTORY has been made at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council as a new Mayor has been sworn in. Councillor Martin Walsh has became the borough’s new first citizen.

In doing so, he made a bit of history as he became the first ever Bedworth Conservative councillor to take the civic position. It was a huge moment for the Bedworth Slough ward representative when he was given the glinting chains of office.

He said while he was not born in the town, Bedworth has become his home and the place where he and his wife Sandra have brought up their three sons.

“Up until I was asked to stand as a local councillor, I had not given it any thought, but if you would said to me three years ago that I would be here tonight, I would never have believed it.

“It makes me even more proud to become the first Bedworth Conservative councillor to become Mayor. My wife Sandra and I will strive to serve and represent the borough with a pride and dignity that befits the role.”

He was nominated to become Mayor by fellow Slough ward councillor Kyle Evans and Cllr Damon Brown. Cllr Evans said that the new first citizen has ‘given many decades of public service’ in the borough, serving as a governor at Race Leys and Ash Green schools. He has also dedicated years to the scouting movement, he was group scout leader at 4th Bedworth Scouts.

It was revealed that the new Mayor has an encyclopaedic knowledge of engineering and cars, and is known for his analytical skills and attention to detail. This proved to be crucial to the Tories during the local elections in 2010.

“Anyone who knows Cllr Walsh knows that he has a incredibly good analytical mind and does not take anyone hostage if they get it wrong and it is for that reason why the Conservative party always puts Cllr Walsh at the front of any election count,” Cllr Evans said.

“Some people may remember the famous election count that took place in the North Warwickshire and Bedworth constituency in 2010. The Conservative gained the constituency for the first time since 1987 with a majority of just 54 votes. It was Cllr Walsh who, 13 years ago at the count at Coleshill leisure centre, managed to point out some of the missing bundles which inevitably meant that Dan Byles was ahead by just 54 votes.”

But he also has another talent ballroom dancing. Cllr Brown said he and his wife, who was a childminder in Bedworth for many years, were top level, nationally known ballroom dancers. “They even appeared on ‘Come Dancing,’ he said. He added that he has a keen sense of fairness and is impartial: “I am sure, if, at the count in 2010, the bundle piles had been the other way, he would have raised them just the same, he is just that kind of person.”

The Labour group did nominate Cllr Emma Shiers to be Mayor but this was lost, and Cllr Walsh was made Mayor. His deputy will be Cllr Brian Hammersley.

The new Mayor announced that Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice will be the chosen charity for his civic appeal.