TROWBRIDGE is now home to a new mayor who has promised to do everything in her power to represent the town in the best light possible during her term.

Cllr Linda Self, who has only served on Trowbridge Town Council for three years, said despite her inexperience in politics, she knows the town inside out having lived there for nearly 40 years.

“To get elected as mayor is brilliant because I can represent Trowbridge going forward in the future,” the 64-year-old said. I promise to do what I can to make it a better place for the future.

“I have been to quite a few events last year and in the last few months and I am looking forward to going to a lot more to meet different people and getting the name of Trowbridge out there.

“I was a bit nervous on Tuesday because I didn’t know what to do or say but I am thankful to get elected.”

Cllr Self, who lives in Charles Street with her husband John, will support two charities in her mayoral year 2016/17 – Breakthrough Trowbridge and Alzheimer’s Support.

Cllr Self added: “With my charities, I thought it was a nice change to choose two to split the money between. With Breakthrough Trowbridge, they do a lot of work with the homeless. The help they give people is not just people on the street but it is about helping people before they are going to be homeless as well.

“Now Breakthrough Trowbridge are temporarily based at the Salvation Army, they need as much help they can get and hopefully this encourages others to donate because in this day and age, homelessness shouldn’t exist.

“Alzheimer’s Support also do a lot of great work in the community and I have been lucky enough to be able to visit their Mill Street Club and I thought the work they are doing there is absolutely fantastic.”

Cllr Self takes over from Cllr Roger Andrews who presented her with the mayoral chain at the annual meeting on Tuesday night as well as presenting a cheque of over £4,500 to his chosen charity Dorothy House.

The mum-of-four added: “Following in Roger’s footsteps will be hard but I know I can make my mark.

“Roger has been my mentor over the last year as deputy mayor and when he has been unwell I have stepped in at events which I’ve been more than happy to do.”

Cllr Nicola Blackmore was elected as deputy mayor at the meeting.