FAMILY, friends and colleagues will pack into Bury Town Hall next Wednesday (May 14), to see the new Mayor of Bury installed.

Tory councillor Roy Walker takes over the chains of office from his Labour counterpart Trevor Holt in what is a glittering annual ceremony.

Coun Walker has represented Church ward for 15 years, and was leader of the Tory group on the council for five years.

Born in Sheffield in 1943, he came to Bury in 1981 and has worked for years at Bolton Institute of Higher Education, where he is a tutor for Further Education Teaching Training Courses.

Previously a councillor for Stockport, he was elected in Bury in 1982 and has served on the education, policy and resources, social services and environmental health committees.

Coun Walker is chairman of governors at Elton High School in Bury, and is a governor at St Stephen's primary school as well as at Bury College.

He has fought three General Elections - Sheffield Brightside in 1974, Oldham East (1979) and Heywood and Middleton (1987).

During his mayoral year, Coun Walker will endeavour to raise funds for the Child Development Centre at Fairfield Hospital, the Bury Gateway Club, and the Bury FC Disabled Supporters Club - he is a keen supporter of the Shakers.

His wife of 26 years, Kathryn, will become the mayoress. She is deputy manager of Bury Crossroads Care Scheme, and is a governor of Greenhill Primary School.

The couple have two sons, Alexis and Benedict.

The mayor's chaplain will be the Rector of Bury, Canon J.R. Smith.

As is the tradition, the outgoing mayor Coun Holt and his wife Evelyn will become deputy mayor and mayoress for the coming year.

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