The makingof the city’snew mayor

THERE’S a new mayor at the helm of the city.

Wakefield East councillor Ros Lund took over the chains at the annual mayor making ceremony at County Hall yesterday.

She replaced Coun Tony Wallis, who held the position for the last 12 months, which he described as ‘exciting, rewarding and interesting’.

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Coun Lund was born in Kent and has lived in Wakefield for 30 years. Her first job after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University was as a librarian at the head office of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive in Wakefield.

The mum-of-three has worked at libraries from across the education sector, and has always been involved in the community.

She was founder member of the Outwood Parks Action Group, which successfully campaigned for a modern play area, and has also served on numerous council committees, as well as the governing bodies of Heath View and Greenhill Primary schools.

Coun Lund is actively involved in the district’s special school provision and has been a magistrate since 2006.

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She said: “I want to express my gratitude to all members of our council for electing me as mayor. I promise to do my best and keep up the high standards expected of this position. I will try to be an excellent ambassador for the district and the council like my predecessors.”

Her consort for the year will be Robert Appleyard, of Outwood, who has worked as a manager at a poultry company for the last 18 years and sits on the Outwood Memorial Hall committee.

Normanton councillor Elaine Blezard was elected deputy mayor, and her husband Steve will be her consort.

The new mayor’s chosen charity for the year is the Pinderfields Children’s Burns Club.