LONG-serving councillor Julian Freke was installed as the new Mayor of Yeovil on Tuesday evening during the combined annual town council and annual town meeting.
The outgoing Mayor, Bridget Dollard, opened proceedings in front of almost 70 people in Monmouth Hall.
Mayor Dollard finished off her second stint as the town's senior citizen by looking back on the past year.
One highlight was a government promise to increase the discretionary expenditure limit for council - something Yeovil Town Council had been campaigning for.
Other highlights included giving an award to international bowler Edna Bessell; the twinning with Samarate; and watching the carnival in the company of other mayors not fortunate enough to have such an event in their own towns.
The announcement of redundancies at Westland was a less happy memory, and so were the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Although it happened far away, it made a lasting impression, said Councillor Dollard.
After her speech, she presented a number of gifts to people who had been of great help during her reign as First Citizen, including her secretary, her chaplain, some fellow councillors and council staff.
Chairmen or vice chairmen of the various council committees then took to the podium to present annual reports.
Councillor Dollard then returned to give a brief speech in celebration of the town council's 20th anniversary. Commem-orative gifts were presented to a number of people, including Councillor Tony Fife, who has been a member since day one.
Next up was the Mayor's Award, which recognises people who had served the community.
Councillor Dollard said there had been 12 nominations, all of a very high standard, and it had been a tough job selecting the two lucky winners.
Boys' Brigade captain Graham Voizey was chosen for having worked with young people for more than 29 years, helping them reach their full potential.
Margaret Thorne was the other winner, being praised for having served The Red Cross in various ways for 45 years.
Councillor Ruth Kendall was elected deputy Mayor.
Julian Freke works as a carpenter at Yeovil District Hospital, and has a long history as a town councillor. He was born and bred in Yeovil.
The new Mayor gave a brief speech in which he announced that Woborns Almshouse Charitable Trust would be his chosen charity for the year.
The Rev. Ivor Hughes will serve as his chaplain while explorer scout Gareth Taylor will serve as the Mayor's Cadet.
Ruth Kendall is also a district councillor, and serves as chairman of the Yeovil Crematorium and Cemetery Committee. She is a retired civil servant and moved to Yeovil from Portsmouth about 30 years ago.
Councillor Dave Gladd-ing described her as a "white-haired lady who drives around town on a little motor bike".
The evening was concluded with a finger buffet.