BURY’S new mayor has become the fifth woman to wear the civic chains of office in the 35-year history of the metropolitan borough.

Poignant and heartfelt tributes were paid to the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Sheila Magnall, when she was officially elected to the premier civic post at last week’s annual council meeting at Bury Town Hall.

Councillors, officers, relatives, friends and visitors watched Wednesday’s ceremony which marked the end of the 12-month tenure of outgoing mayor, Cllr Peter Ashworth.

Cllr Derek Boden, who nominated Cllr Magnall, said: “I am proposing her for an office which I have never held.”

He joked that he was not mayoral material because he had difficulty in remembering names and he would have to be nice to everyone 365 days a year.

He added: “Cllr Magnall will bring a quiet determination and she will be a calming influence. No doubt her family will continue to support her throughout her year of office.”

Cllr Dorothy Gunther, who seconded the nomination, said: “Sheila and I have been friends for almost 20 years. We’ve pounded the streets together and sometimes had doors shut in our faces. She will be an excellent ambassador for the borough.”

Cllr Magnall, aged 69, of Balmoral Close, Greenmount, has represented Ramsbottom for nine years.

She has chosen her daughter, Liz Pepper, aged 40, as her mayoress.

The new mayor thanked everyone who had shown their support and she praised Cllr Ashworth and outgoing mayoress Dorrie Burgess and deputy mayoresses Hilary Moore and Angela Lawrence.

Cllr Magnall added: “It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to fulfil these roles and the new mayoress and I intend to observe all the traditions and customs attached to the mayoral office.

“We will also do our best to meet the high standards that have been established by previous mayors and mayoresses.”

The new deputy mayor, Cllr Ashworth spoke about his year as “first citizen” which saw him carry out more than 800 engagements.

He said: “I had opportunities to represent the borough at events and functions which were held wider afield and I never let an occasion pass without promoting Bury and all that we have to offer.

“I feel privileged that the council gave me the opportunity to do this and I shall be forever grateful.”