Seamstress Heather Canfer has been sworn in as Calne’s new mayor, taking over from Coun Mercy Baggs at a formal robed ceremony.

It will be Coun Canfer’s first time as mayor and she plans to fundraise for Calne’s Community Transport scheme and SPLASH, set up to provide activities for young people.

Coun Canfer’s daughter Melanie Ward is a florist at The Guelder Rose in Royal Wootton Bassett and provided flowers and bouquets for the ceremony on Tuesday night.

Coun Canfer said: “I’m looking forward to meeting different people. All the mayors say to me ‘you will meet people you wouldn’t meet if you weren’t mayor’.”

Before handing over the mayoral chains Coun Baggs chose two community stalwarts and a talented young artist to receive civic awards and an art award.

The civic awards went to Sue Boddington, curator of Calne’s Heritage Centre, and Phil Haines, of Haines Construction based in Calne.

Abbeyfield student Isobel Fielding, 13, from Calne, won the art award for a portrait created as part of an exhibition for her school.

Coun Baggs said: “Sue Boddington organises up to 30 volunteer stewards to welcome visitors. She organises the many exhibitions which attract up to 3,000 visitors to Calne. The time and effort she puts in certainly qualifies her for the civic award.

“Phil Haines has made a significant contribution to the community of Calne. It’s a very difficult challenge to sum it up in a few words.

“He gives his time, equipment and expertise for the Christmas lights.

"He has volunteered on numerous occasions to assist the town council at the 11th hour.”