CORNWALL’S ancient capital was host to a myriad of officials, representatives and local politicians this week, as the community came together to mark the ceremonial choosing of Launceston’s mayor.

On June 19, delegates from the local area came together at Launceston Town Hall to witness the election of a new mayor on a beautiful summer’s day.

During the last two years, Cllr Helen Bailey has been at the head of the town council’s proceedings. However, this year’s mayor choosing saw her pass the baton onto her deputy, Cllr Nicola Gilbert.

In a speech reflecting on Cllr Bailey’s term, Cllr Gilbert praised her [Cllr Bailey] ‘tireless’ work over the past two years, as well as her unwavering ‘passion’ for the town and the role.

However, it was Cllr Bailey who led the proposals for Cllr Gilbert’s mayorship.

In her proposal, she said: “Cllr Gilbert joined the council in 2019 and has served as deputy mayor for two years. She is a dedicated and passionate town councillor.

“Cllr Gilbert is a very active member of the council, volunteering on many of the working parties for events in town, as well as being a trustee of Coronation Park and a governor of Windmill Hill Academy.

“From this snapshot, you can see how involved in the fabric of our town she is.”

Cllr Dave Gordon seconded the proposal, describing Cllr Gilbert as ‘a proper Lanson lady’.

Following a unanimous vote, Cllr Gilbert was officially sworn in as mayor.

In her speech, she said: “In 2017, I sat in this hall with great pride as my sister Margerat was installed as the mayor of Launceston. Today, I stand here even prouder and truly honoured to follow in her footsteps. I believe we are the first sisters to both have served as mayor of our town, an occasion worth celebrating.”

Following they mayor’s election, Cllr Jon Conway – former Cornwall Councillor – was also elected as the deputy mayor of Launceston for the coming term.

However, the event was not just about welcoming new delegates to the town, it also served as an opportunity to celebrate members of the community and local organisations which work within Launceston.

Launceston Youth Music Theatre and Man Down Launceston served as the mayor’s chosen charities for 2024/25, and this event provided an opportunity to present them with funds which had been raised during the last 12 months. Furthermore, Cllr Gilbert revealed that Launceston in Bloom and Launceston Town Band would be the mayor’s chosen charities for the coming term.

As well as this, three stand-out members of the community were recognised with ‘Awards of Appreciation’ from the mayor. Recipients included Lowenna North, a local resident, who aged only 17 swam the English Channel; Jennifer Worth, who has shown a deep commitment to the community, coaching children and adults in a number of sports as well as playing a central role in the town’s methodist church; and Gareth Lancaster, who has been a ‘tireless advocate for sarcoma awareness’, having raised more than £29,000 for charity.