Councillor and former jockey, Gerard Oxford, has become the new mayor of Colchester.
Mr Oxford, 65, took up the reigns at a ceremony on May 24 where he was elected alongside new deputy mayor, Peter Chillingworth.
“It’s a real honour,” he said.
“I’m Colchester born and bred and my family goes back many generations here so it’s a big deal to be mayor of my town.”
Mr Oxford, who represents Highwoods, hopes to fundraise for charities including Headway, Samaritans, St Helena Hospice, Chavasse House, and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
He is also planning to provide a trained guide puppy to a resident by the end of the year as part of his support for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“This is the one and only opportunity I will have, and I plan to have lots of fun while raising lots of money and spreading the word of Colchester and the different groups in it,” he added.
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