COLCHESTER’S new mayor Peter Chillingworth says he aims to bring together the urban parts of the borough with the rural areas in a bid to unite the town.

The senior Conservative took over the robes from independent Gerard Oxford yesterday during a ceremony at the Moot Hall.

He outlined plans to unite the urban and rural areas to make sure the population of both is given an insight into the lives of the other.

An outdoors man, he also cited plans to run events for his charities with an exercise theme.

Speaking after taking the role for the first time, Mr Chillingworth said: “My theme for this year will very much be town meets country, with a healthy twist.

“I was educated in Colchester and rural Suffolk and worked in both Westminster and Cambridge and my life has been a mix of town and rural.

“During my year, I want to bring people from the countryside to the town and vice versa so that each can experience the life of the other side.

“Exercise, I believe, is the key to good health, so there will be opportunities for people to take part in some gentle exercise as well as the more vigorous.”

Mr Chillingworth also announced the charities he will be supporting during his civic year.

They are:

  • the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance;
  • the Essex Wildlife Trust;
  • Action for Family Carers;
  • Colchester Emergency Nightshelter;
  • the Gazette-backed Colchester Cancer Centre Campaign; and
  • the Army Benevolent Fund

Mr Chillingworth added: “I am planning a busy year of events which will provide some fun but most importantly will raise a significant amount of money for these great charities.”

The incoming mayor was also wished well by the outgoing Mr Oxford, who told the audience of an “emotional” year as the borough’s first citizen.

He said: “We have a had a fantastic year and we’ve met so many lovely people from across the spectrum.

“We have travelled extensively across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and in London promoting Colchester and showing off Britain’s first city.”

He cited achievements such as opening up the town hall to schoolchildren and organising events to recognise volunteers and young carers, after having visited St Helena School, where he found a high number of pupils was designated as a young carer.

Mr Oxford said he also planned to continue campaigning on access issues, which include inside the town hall.

He said: “Some 26 years after legislation was passed in Parliament, this is unacceptable.”

Lib Dem Nick Cope was confirmed as deputy mayor.

Both he and Mr Chillingworth were unanimously backed.