Tiverton’s floral ambassador Wally Burke takes the mayoral baton for fourth time

Tiverton’s mayoral baton has passed on to one of the town’s most experienced councillors. The outgoing mayor, Councillor Sue Griggs, nominated Councillor Wally Burke at a full council meeting on Monday, May 15. It was the first full council meeting since the local elections, with many new faces on the authority.

With over 50 years of dedicated service to the town council, Cllr Burke is set to embark on his fourth term as mayor. Cllr Griggs commended Burke’s longstanding commitment to Tiverton and expressed her confidence in his ability to lead the town once again effectively.

She said: “He is well versed on how to run meetings and to carry himself very well as mayor of the town. He is very ambitious in the floral displays around Tiverton and always ensures they look very beautiful.”

The nomination received support from Councillor Neal Davey, who praised Burke’s unwavering dedication throughout their time on the council.

He said: “During my time on this council, Cllr Burke has been one of the hardest working councillors I think there has been. He’s somebody who rolls his sleeves up and gets on with the job, particularly with the Tiverton in Bloom, picking plants and going out and planting things himself, as well as taking a keen interest in what goes on within the council, the planning committee, and what goes on within the council.”

Following his oath, in which he pledged allegiance to HM King Charles III, Cllr Burke expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the community, emphasising the honour he felt in assuming the role of mayor for the fourth time.

He announced that the mayor’s charity for the upcoming year would be the breast cancer unit at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

Cllr Davey expressed his gratitude and thanked outgoing mayor Cllr Griggs for her exceptional service to the town. He said: “As mayor, Sue is always very visible for wearing the red gown around the town, which she always seems to enjoy doing, spending enough time out and about in the town as she can, with the beadle and macebearer, showing off the red gown, and talking to visitors and people who live in Tiverton. She did an excellent job promoting the town by way of this, and people sometimes came up to her wanting their photo taken. It is appreciated by traders in the town to see a visible presence.

“You have always been very supportive of our town centre, and I know in the past months you have worked hard with our town centre co-ordinator, as well as visiting groups, attending events, and going to performances at the New Hall, seeing the many things that go on quietly in the town, which bring the town together and meeting those who do a lot for Tiverton.

“The twelve months have been unusual because there have been three significant Royal events during the year. Last June, we had the Platinum Jubilee of our late Majesty the Queen, then during the funeral, and recently the Coronation.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Griggs expressed mixed emotions as her term of office ended. She said: “All good things must come to an end, and so my term of office has come to an end. I will try not to get mayor envy when I see Wally walking through the town in his red robe.

“I was always privileged and honoured to be the mayor and have loved every moment. I have had some memorable events to attend on behalf of the town and many happy memories I will cherish forever.

“I have also met many people on my travels and tours around Tiverton, and it’s been lovely to chat with so many people.

“Tiverton gets lots of bad press, as many towns do, but I’ve always been very happy to say I live here. It’s got a good heart, and although it has its fault, it is a good place to live. We’re here to work on those faults as councillors, to make it a better place for us all to live.”

In addition to the mayoral appointment, Councillor Les Cruwys was elected deputy mayor. Councillor David Wulff, in his nomination speech, commended Cruwys for his extensive involvement with the council for over five decades, including two previous terms as mayor.

“He’s more than qualified; he lives and breathes Tiverton and understands the history and importance of our decisions,” said Cllr Wulff.

The new Tiverton Town Council following the elections is as follows: Lowman Ward; Andy Cuddy, David Garcia-Parejo, Matthew Farrell, Neal Davey, Neil Senik, Rebecca Clarke and Tim Bridger. Westexe Ward; David Broom, Jamie Frost, Jason Lejeune, Kate Lejeune, Tony Wheeler and Wally Burke. Castle Ward; Ben Holdman, Christopher Berry, David Wulff, Sophia Beard and Valerie Bagatelas. Cove Ward; Phil Hill. Cranmore Ward; Beckett Fish, Lance Kennedy, Les Cruwys, Stephen Bush and Sue Griggs.

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