APPLEBY'S new Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Frank Harland and Alice Palmer received their chains of office at the traditional Mayor Making in the Moot Hall.

Retiring Mayor Coun Ella Langan received an appreciative and warm speech of thanks from the Father of the Council, and new Deputy Mayor, Coun Keith Morgan. Coun Morgan praised Coun Langan for her dignity, skills and understanding of the residents of Appleby and congratulated her on her new appointment as vice chairman of Eden District Council.

Coun Langan took the opportunity to thank all those who had helped her as mayor over the past 12 months, including Town Clerk, Brian Row, the town's police officers, the team in the Tourist Information Centre and the Sword and Mace bearers Mike Graham and David Johnston, who have agreed to continue in their posts for the new Mayor.

Coun Langan also gave thanks to her Consort, husband Michael. She joked: "He did want to be called Mayoress, but I put my foot down. I couldn't have been mayor without his support.

"I would also like to thank the people of Appleby. They are all wonderful citizens and I thank them for their help, support and even the problems they have given me."

Mayor Frank Harland introduced his Mayoress to the council. He described the local historian, Alice Palmer, as Miss Appleby, who he added would give him the support he would need in the office of Mayor.

Miss Palmer, who has traced her family history and discovered she is half Westmerian, has lived in the town for 30 years and is well known for her historical walks around the town.

The Rev Roger Collinson, who stood in for the Mayor's Chaplain last year, when Rev Peter Norton retired, is to continue serving the new mayor.

The Mayor's Luncheon, held at the Tufton Arms had a distinct local flavour with Roast Leg of Cumbrian Lamb and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Those attending included Lord and Lady Hothfield, Chairman of Cumbria County Council Joe Nicholson, and newly-elected Chairman of Eden District Council Coun Roy Fisher.

In his speech, the Mayor said: "In my short time in Appleby, though my connections and experience go back 30 years or more through my parents' time here, I have come to know that Appleby has a generous and welcoming heart and a willingness to pull together to do things that are for the common good."

Talking of the possibility of Regional Assemblies, local government changes and the Townscape Plan he added: "That sort of spirit is going to have to be tapped deeply again if we are not going to be bypassed by these events and lose altogether the identity of Appleby in Westmorland."

He added later: "At present Appleby suffers, as do all Town and Parish Councils, from two major disadvantages. Firstly that of the scale of our operations and responsibilities and secondly that of financial support for schemes which we feel meet local need."