THE town council of Holywell held their first virtual meeting since the coronavirus lockdown was put in place to assign new mayoral roles for the year.

The meeting, held via Zoom on Tuesday, saw the outgoing mayor of Holywell Cllr Paul Johnson hand the title to his deputy Cllr Lynda Carter.

During the meeting, Cllr Carter selected Cllr Ted Palmer from the Central ward as her deputy mayor from the available council members.

Reflecting on his year, Cllr Johnson said: “I look forward to giving Lynda all the support I can and know she will put her heart and soul in to being your Mayor.

“Over this past year, it has been a privilege to be your Town Mayor and meet so many of you. I don't think that being the Mayor of a big city or a Lord Mayor of somewhere else can ever come up to what is to be the Mayor, the first citizen of Holywell.

“I don't care what others say, but Holywell has the biggest heart in Flintshire, if not Wales.”

The West Holywell councillor thanked the town council staff – Jason Baker, Collette Lowry and Martin Fearnley – for their continued support as well as fellow council members.

He also gave gratitude to those who worked on the town High Street development which came to fruition during the winter months in his reign as mayor and those who ensure Holywell maintains “the best active travel routes in Wales” along the Greenfield Valley.

He paid thanks to those who have stepped up during the current pandemic to support those in Holywell who had to self-isolate, by collecting prescriptions, shopping and generally looking after one another – as well as the key and essential workers keeping the town running as normally as can be expected in uncertain times.

He concluded: “Thank you for having me as your Mayor. It was a great honour. And finally, thank you to Sue, my wife and Mayoress who accompanied me on all my mayoral visits and appointments.

“It was a great year, and for both, of us a memorable one. Thank you Holywell."