New mayor's pride in the town (From Herald Series)

New mayor's pride in the town

8:33am Monday 19th May 2008 in News

NEW mayor Tony Harbour is proud of Didcot.

The 52-year-old Crystal Palace fan admitted he had not always been proud of where he lives, but after 12 years in the town, he had changed his mind.

He took over as mayor from Bernard Cooper last week, who handed the ceremonial chain to him at a celebration in the Civic Hall.

Croydon-born Mr Harbour said: "I was quite embarrassed about mentioning where I live when we first moved here. But I now am definitely 'Didcot and Proud'. I'm thinking of getting T-shirts printed."

The father-of-two, who lives on the Ladygrove estate, pledged to play an active role in the community and to raise thousands of pounds for his two charities - Didcot Hospital and SSNAP, which supports the sick newborn and their parents, and the special care nursery at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

He said: "It was an honour to be made mayor and my wife, Amanda, is really excited.

"We want to do as many events as we can and we've said we'll put this year on hold, so we can do that.

"I don't want to be an aloof person. I want to get involved in everything and if I can take part in events, I would like to do that if it would help. "

He has already implemented changes by starting new mayor-making traditions to mark the annual occasion.

Last week, the Conservative town councillor hosted the first mayor-making dinner, attended by 120 people. He has also introduced robes for the mayor and deputy-mayor in Didcot colours.

He said: "I thought the way it has been done in the past didn't really merit what was going on. And Didcot didn't have a tradition. I've also introduced the mayor's cadets to tie in links with the services.

"There was a good turnout to the meal. I was a bit concerned that no one would support it, but it showed the people of Didcot were interested."

He said: "My daughter was born ten weeks' premature and we had support from SSNAP nine years ago, so I want to raise as much money as I can."

Outgoing mayor Bernard Cooper said it had been an honour and great fun to serve the town.

The 65-year-old Labour councillor said choosing this year's May Queen and inspecting the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, as they received the Freedom of Didcot in September, were among his favourite moments.

He said: "The real highlight was taking the wreath up Edinburgh Drive to the war memorial on November 11 last year.

"If we don't recognise and respect the people who die serving our country, we have lost a great deal of our culture."

"I think you need to be sincere, hard-working and enthusiastic to do well as a mayor."