New Mayor of Truro tells residents it is time to roll up our sleeves and make our city the best it can be

Councillor Carol Swain has been elected to serve as Mayor for Truro at this year’s annual mayor making ceremony held at Truro Cathedral on Monday, 15 May.

Originally from Lancashire, Cllr Swain trained as an accountant after obtaining an honours degree in Mathematics from the University of Oxford. After working for local councils in London and Essex, she joined the NHS, working for health authorities in Bolton and Manchester before becoming Finance Director of a Mental Health NHS Trust in the northwest of England. When health issues led to her retiring early from the NHS almost 20 years ago, she made the decision to move to Cornwall, buying a new home in Truro. After returning to college and obtaining an HND in photography and digital imaging, she began volunteering at Mid-Cornwall Credit Union (Cornish Community Banking), later becoming Chairman of the Board of the Credit Union and of its Loans Committee.

In 2018, Cllr Swain was co-opted onto the City Council as one of the councillors for Tregolls ward where she continues to live. After being re-elected two years ago, last year she became the City’s deputy mayor.

Nominated by Cllr Loic Rich, and seconded by Cllr Rob Nolan, Cllr Swain was elected unanimously as Mayor of Truro for 2023 – 2024. Her chosen Mayoress is Ms Sarah Douglas-Martin.

Nominated by Cllr Stuart Roden, and seconded by Cllr Chris Wells, Cllr Sam Rabey was elected as deputy mayor for the coming year. His chosen consort is Graham Ford.

Thanking her fellow councillors, family and friends and everyone at Truro City Council for their support and encouragement, Cllr Swain said she would be working hard to help to make the council as effective as it could be, as well representing the city and all of its residents.

Paying tribute to her predecessor Mayors, including outgoing Mayor Steven Webb; Tony Barber; the late Connie Fozzard; Ros Cox and Ron Cooke; Bob Smith and the eight other sitting City councillors who have also previously held the role of Mayor, Cllr Swain said she was humbled by the trust that her fellow councillors had put in her and would do her level best to be worthy of it.

This year’s event, one of the most important events in the City Council’s calendar, was attended by large numbers of past and present City Councillors, Cornwall Councillors, Mayors and civic dignitaries from other towns in Cornwall, and representatives of partner organisations.

During the official robing ceremony entertainment was provided by members of PicnMix, a group of young people from the Cornwall Down’s Syndrome Support Group who have a passion for dance. Specifically chosen by the new Mayor and praised as “the perfect choice to celebrate the qualities that showcase Truro at its very best” the talented young dancers were a huge hit with the audience.

Following the robing, Cllr Swain returned to the front of the Cathedral, accompanied by outgoing Mayor Stephen Webb, Town Clerk Roger Gazzard, Town Crier Lionel Knight, and the Macebearers, together with her Chaplain Reverend Simon Clarke of Truro Methodist Church, and chosen Cadet Aidan Nelson, to sign the formal Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Speaking after the vote, Cllr Swain said “If anyone had told me, when I was sitting in that show-house and writing out a cheque to pay my plot reservation fee to

Wainhomes, that 20 years later I would be standing here as Mayor of Truro, I would have said that it was impossible! And yet, here I am today.

Urging people to come and talk to her if there are new things that they would like to see happen, or anything they felt could and should be done better, she said “It is time to roll up our sleeves, rise to the many challenges we all face, and together we will make Truro the best that it can be, both now and in the future.”

The Mayor’s chosen charities for the coming year are Truro Food Bank and St Petroc’s.

Pics supplied by PR4 Photos

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