Town councillor Heather Venter was on Tuesday handed the official chains of office to mark the start of her year as the new mayor of Driffield.
Outgoing mayor Coun Joan Cooper relinquished the post during an official ceremony at the Community Centre council chamber on Mill Street.
Coun Venter nominated MacMillan East Yorkshire and the Driffield Stroke Club as her charities and will raise money for both worthy causes during her year of office.
The council chamber was packed with members of the authority, council staff and members of the public who watched as she was sworn in.
During her incoming address, Coun Venter said: “It is a great honour to wear these mayoral chains and I look forward to representing our town throughout the year.
“I would also like to thank our outgoing mayor, Coun Joan Cooper, and her consort, Coun Tony Cooper, for doing a great job in the past year.
“Driffield is a wonderful market town with a great community spirit and the town council work hard to make it an even better place.
“My colleagues on the council devote many voluntary hours to their work and, over the past year, we have, I think, made a real difference.
“Despite challenging times and financial constraints and considerations, I hope that we will continue to make great strides with improving all aspects of our town.
Coun Venter added: “While the council is made up of many different people with differing views and priorities, there is one common aim - to serve the people of Driffield and ensure its continuing success.
“It is particularly gratifying to see over the last couple of years the number of younger councillors joining us and it is clear that the future of grass roots democracy in the town is secure.
“I look forward to representing the town around the East Riding with several friends and colleagues who have kindly offered to be my consort when required.
“Finally, I would like to assure my fellow councillors of my great pride in the trust they have put in me to be their mayor and that I will do my best to represent the town and its people and hope that we can have a productive and successful council year.
Coun David Credland was appointed deputy mayor and wished Coun Venter every happiness and success during her year in office.
“For my part, I am conscious of the honour of being deputy mayor,”he said.
“I will do my upmost to carry out the duties connected with the role in a vigorous and proper manner.
“I shall be confident that councillors will work together in a positive manner and, in doing so, shall have correct regard for all council employees.
It is a privilege to serve the people of the town of Driffield.
The outgoing Mayor, Coun Joan Cooper, presentation of cheques to her Mayor’s Charities - The Salvation Army (Driffield) and the Second Driffield Scouts
Community Contribution Awards were also presented to Mr Peter Maw, The Driffield Community First Responders, Sgt John Robinson, Mrs Ann Knaggs and Mrs Margaret Killin.
Photographs of those presentations will appear in next week’s newspaper.