By Alistair Nelson A FORMER policeman who has lived in Saffron Walden for more than 30 years was appointed as the town s mayor on Saturday. A town councillor since he retired from the force two years ago, Cllr Doug Perry said taking the mayor s robes

By Alistair Nelson

A FORMER policeman who has lived in Saffron Walden for more than 30 years was appointed as the town's mayor on Saturday.

A town councillor since he retired from the force two years ago, Cllr Doug Perry said taking the mayor's robes was a "very proud moment" and he was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"It was a fantastic ceremony and a real honour for me and the mayoress, my wife Sandy," said Cllr Perry. "As a policeman I finished my career in Saffron Walden where I was dealing with problems such as antisocial behaviour.

"As mayor I am hoping to see a different side to the town and meet some wonderful people."

The new mayor's chosen charity for the year is a selection of cancer charities which he has called Triple C.

Because his family has been affected by cancer, Cllr Perry has chosen to support the Teenage Cancer Trust, breast-cancer charity Cancer Research UK, and one other of the public's choice.

"I have been inundated with requests from people who would like me to support their charity and I have decided to leave the third C open to the public," said Cllr Perry.

The role of the town mayor is non-political, but Cllr Perry recognises that this does not mean it is without its challenges.

"There are some very big issues that are facing the town such as the airport and the building of new houses and the town council has to be prepared to deal with them if they are forced upon us," said Cllr Perry.

"In my role I will have to negotiate with everybody to make sure that these issues are properly debated and dealt with."

After just a few days in the role Cllr Perry's diary is already getting busy with his mayoral duties, but there is one job that he is particularly looking forward to.

"Ever since I have been in the town I have had connections with the Carver Barracks in Wimbish," he said. "To greet the soldiers as they parade through the town could be the pinnacle of my year."

If you would like to suggest a cancer charity for the mayor to support, write to Cllr Perry at Saffron Walden Town Council, 11 Emson Close, Saffron Walden, CB10 1HL.