John Warnes in new Mayor of Bungay

JOHN Warnes was installed as the new mayor of Bungay on Monday evening - and thus completed a unique family double.

His wife, Betty, was mayor in 2000-2001 and so they become the first couple to have each held the office, which heads the town council. The title was established in 1997.

After being installed by outgoing mayor John Groom Mr Warnes, a retired agricultural merchant and pet food shop owner, thanked his predecessor for his two years as mayor and looked forward to his own duties.

“I hope we will work well together as a council.

“I will do my best to run the council as it has been run in the past, and perhaps we can put politics to one side and run it for the benefit of the town of Bungay,” he said.

Later Mr Warnes, who is 73, and in his third year as a town councillor, said he was looking forward to the role very much.

“Our family has traded in the town for over 100 years, and I am desperate to see Bungay thrive,” he said. “This must be the challenge for the year - to do everything we can to push it forward.”

Mr Warnes is involved with a number of organisations in the town. He is vice-chairman of the Friends of St Mary's Church, chairman of Bungay Common Owners, concert manager for Bungay Choral Society, treasurer of the Bungay Community Partnership, treasurer of the Christmas lights committee, and of the Bungay Festival.

Mr Groom thanked the council for its support during his two years.

“We have succeeded in achieving a lot in that time and it has been a very proud two years for me to represent Bungay,” he said.

He paid tribute to the work of town clerk Peter Morrow “for all he has done and is doing for this council. Where would we be without him? He has been such a help in guiding me through.”

Simon Woods was elected deputy mayor after winning a ballot with Simon Thompson who was also nominated.