THE mayor of Holsworthy, Nigel Kenneally, has been re-elected at the town’s annual meeting.  

The meeting, which saw members of the community and representatives from local groups come together, marked the official re-election of the current mayor.

Speaking to the Post, Cllr Kenneally explained some of his hopes for the coming year and reflected on some of last year’s successes.  

He said: “It has been a busy year for Holsworthy Town Council, our improvements to the town continued with our amazing lamppost banners and new streetlighting in Stanhope Park. Our weekly, Wednesday market trialled a new layout and we’ve now increased our stalls to 22.  

“The Plough Arts Centre and Illyria came to Badock Gardens where they performed Pride and Prejudice. Holsworthy Amateur Theatre Society (HATS), assisted by providing refreshments during the evening. We will see The Plough return this year with a fabulous performance of Love Riot by Miracle Theatre. 

“We have been continuing to improve our sun lounge in Badock Gardens. The design work for the improvements have now been completed and will be going out to tender soon.  

“We have been involved with neighbouring parishes about the Bude to Holsworthy cycle path and we hope to see this develop further this year.  

“We are also working with Holsworthy Youth Football to realign the football pitch in Stanhope Park, this will mean that our football pitch will be level as opposed to being on a slope!  

“We held a fantastic Christmas light switch-on. Entertained by Holsworthy Town Band, the Youth Club and local schools, we even held our second silent disco. Our popular Christmas market was back and thriving and I even hear the real Santa turned up.”

Each year the mayor selects their chosen charities, and for Cllr Kenneally that was Holsworthy Youth Centre and the Holsworthy Area Sports Pavillion (HASP).

He said: “Over the course of the year, I have held several events to raise money for my mayor’s charities. Holsworthy Youth Centre and the youth provisions at HASP will receive over one thousand pounds each.”

He continued: “There have been several personnel changes to the council over the past twelve months. In May 2023, Cllrs Pete Shepherd and Lyndon Piper were elected as our Torridge District Council representatives. Cllrs Sarah Stroud and Emma Hosie resigned. We have welcomed Cllrs David Cole and Peter Brown.  

“Amanda Shearing becomes our new town clerk, and we wish our outgoing town clerk, Vanessa Saunders all the best for her retirement.  

“I am absolutely honoured to have been elected mayor for another year, and I hope in the coming year that work will start on the sunrooms in Badock gardens, and I look forward to the Holsworthy 44 being held around town to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.”