THE new mayor of Beccles this week expressed his delight at receiving the honour and has outlined some of his hopes for his year in office.Jack Walmsley, right, a former head-teacher at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft who has lived in the town for 27 years, was installed in the office by the town council at its annual meeting on Tuesday.

THE new mayor of Beccles this week expressed his delight at receiving the honour and has outlined some of his hopes for his year in office.

Jack Walmsley, right, a former head-

teacher at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft who has lived in the town for 27 years, was installed in the office by the town council at its annual meeting on Tuesday. He was mayor of Beccles five years ago in the second year of the last council.

He said there were many projects that he would like to see completed during his time as mayor, particularly the proposed new sports complex.

“I very much hope that we shall be cutting the turf of the new sports complex this time next year,” he said. “That would be a great achievement for Beccles.”

He added that he would like to see the council achieve Quality Status, possibly by working more closely with Worlingham Parish Council, and he hopes to see the Beccles allotments brought under the control of the allotment holders. He also expressed concern over the future of Beccles Public Hall, which he will be pushing to keep open despite potential economic difficulties in hard times.

He said that he was very proud to be mayor of such a vibrant town with its finger on the pulse.

“The place is really starting to throb,” he said. “It's an honour and I look to forward to my year in office.”

Mr Walmsley, 71, follows on from mayor David Smith. Brian Taylor, who has been elected deputy mayor, replaces Colin Richardson.