IT was a week of ceremonies around the Vale as a new chain gang was elected.

New mayors for the coming year were named in Evesham and Pershore and at Wychavon District Council a new chairman was chosen.

The first of the events took place on Thursday in Pershore Town Hall and saw outgoing mayor councillor Charles Tucker hand over to his deputy Cllr Tony Rowley.

In a speech he thanked everyone for their support and noted his highlights of his two years as mayor, including opening the new library and cemetery chapel.

Cllr Rowley also spoke thanking Cllr Tucker and his consort Liz Tucker for their work over the year and said he was looking forward to his time as mayor and would be raising money for the Stroke Association and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

"It's a great honour and privilege for myself and Debby to be chosen as the mayor and mayoress of Pershore," he said. "It's also an honour to be the first mayor from Pensham. I am quite proud."

Cllr Bob Gillmor was named as the deputy mayor of the council.

On Monday the new mayor of Evesham was elected. Cllr Charlie Homer will take on the role with the deputy mayor to be Cllr Fred Kaler.

Former mayor Cllr Mark Goodge said while the last year had been challenging it had also been enjoyable. He handed the Youth Spirit Award to Emily Turner from St Egwins School, the Civic Award to Patrick Staines and the Community Spirit Award to Emma Haynes.

New mayor Cllr Charlie Homer was nominated by Cllr John Smith who highlighted his charitable work in South Africa and even mentioned an arrest in his history while working in the country.

Accepting the role Cllr Homer said: "I am honoured to be elected mayor of Evesham." He added he would not nominate charities at the beginning of the year but wait until he had seen all the charities working in the area.

The following night at Wychavon District Council it was all about girl power as Cllr Lynne Duffy took over the role of chairman from Cllr Gerry O'Donnell and Cllr Val Wood stepped into her shoes as vice chairman.

Cllr Duffy said: "I intend to have a busy year and wear my chain with pride whether it is with my heels or my wellies. It's possibly the first time we have had ladies as chairman, vice chairman and chaplain."

She added that she would not be raising money for charities but working hard on community development across the district.