TOWN councillor Rima Chatterjee is Barnard Castle Mayor for another 12 months.
Cllr Chatterjee was re-elected to the ceremonial position unopposed at Barnard Castle Town Council’s annual meeting.
Cllr Laura Drew was also re-elected unopposed as deputy mayor.
Presenting a review of mayoral activities for the past year, Cllr Chatterjee said it had been a challenging 12 months.
“It started really slowly as we were still coming out of the pandemic and there was not much happening,” she said.
Cllr Chatterjee said one of the main parts of her year in office had been actively engaging with schools and young people in the town.
This saw a number of young people accompany the mayor to engagements as her consort.
“We went to relevant events and I think the young people enjoyed it as well,” she said.
As the year went on, mayoral activities picked up, she said.
“From January, I was able to attend a lot more events, but it was a short year because of how much time it took to get back to near normal.”
The first mayoral engagement of the year was judging the mini-Meet parade, organised by The Hub, after the actual event was cancelled.
She also represented the town at a number of functions across the region, as well as in the town, at events including the Remembrance Day service, Christmas tree lights switch-on and the Lidl store opening.
Cllr Chatterjee also helped to organise a Holi Festival to mark the arrival of spring, which included a number of activities such as a colour run and celebration meal.
“I think the Holi Festival was well received and well attended,” she said.
Cllr Chatterjee thanked her town council colleagues for placing their faith in her.
She also paid special tribute to services officer Yvette Farron, who organises the mayor’s engagements.
“She has been my guiding light and her support has been priceless.”
Cllr Chris Foote-Wood said Cllr Chatterjee had “given a friendly face” to the town council. “You have raised the profile of the town council and that is of great benefit. More of the same please.”
