BRIDGWATER has a new mayor – Cllr Kathy Pearce – who was voted in by councillors last Wednesday (May 15).

The vote came during Bridgwater Town Council’s (BTC) Annual Meeting.

Cllr Pearce, the former Deputy Mayor, took over the mayoral chain from Cllr Jacqui Solomon and will hold the title for the coming year, with Cllr Leigh Redman the deputy mayor.

“I’m honoured to be Bridgwater’s new mayor, and I look forward to working alongside the brilliant people and organisations that make this amazing town such a very special place to live,” Cllr Pearce said.

Born in Bridgwater, Kathy has been a Bridgwater Town Councillor since 2011, representing the Westover Ward.

She has a special interest in the environment and climate-related issues, playing a large part in BTC policies for pesticide free management of parks and open spaces, being an advocate for increasing planting across the town, and minimising the use of single use plastics for council operations.

She is currently secretary of Friends of the Meads and chairs the Steering Group for the South Bridgwater Pantry. Cllr Pearce has also recently become a member of the Friends of Avalon Sensory Garden.

Her chosen charity for the coming mayoral year will be Bridgwater Men’s Shed, a space for people to engage in practical hobbies, share skills, learn new ones, and work on personal or community projects.

Anyone who would like to request the mayor attend an event can complete an online form at bridgwater-tc.gov.uk/council/mayor/book-the-mayor, or call the town council on 01278 427692.

Cllr Kathy Pearce is the new mayor of Bridgwater. Picture: BTC