Coun David Greenwood, 66, (Lib Dem, Milverton) and his wife Margaret, 61, have been elected by the town council to represent Leamington at official engagements.

Coun Greenwood was deputy mayor last year and has been a town councillor for four years.

The couple have lived in Milverton for 31 years and have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Coun Greenwood said his mission is to build on the council's links with community and voluntary organisations.

He will be holding fundraising events in aid of Leamington Family and Friends, which provides advice and guidance to family and friends of people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, Leamington and Warwick Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance and Warwick District Citizen Advice Bureau.

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He said: "I wanted to help local organisations that involve local people supporting and nurturing local people.

"I also want to ensure funding goes to various groups through the successful community grants scheme.

"I am personally interested in promoting and pursuing the Safer Neighbourhoods initiative and would like to see the town become involved in the Transition Town Project, which means seeking practical ways to reduce reliance on increasingly high priced and scarce fossil fuels."

Coun Greenwood graduated with a history degree from Manchester University in 1962 and worked in human resources for 40 years.
After he retired he wanted to get involved with the community where he had lived for 27 years.

He said: "I used to commute to Birmingham every day and when I retired felt I would like to take on a public service role in the town. I had been involved with the Liberal Democrats for some time and when the new town council was formed in 2003 I was approached to put my name forwards. Coming from a background in history I was interested in how I could improve the culture and community groups, which work away without any publicity."


Recycling, reducing council tax and setting up a town trust are among the priorities for the new mayor of Whitnash.

Coun David Clough described how it feels to become mayor after just four years on the council. He said: "I am nervous. It is a lot of hard work and we know we will have lots to do but I am very proud to be asked to be mayor."

The 68-year-old lives in Home Farm Crescent with his wife Margaret who will help him in his new role. He hopes to set up the Whitnash Trust, which will provide grants to residents hoping to attend further education and sporting courses. The year's fundraising events will go towards setting up the project.

He also believes that residents should be encouraged to recycle in return for vouchers allowing them a discount from their council tax. He said: "It might sound ever so boring but I am an active fan of recycling. I would give vouchers to people who recycle to compensate them for their council tax."

Coun Clough credits recently retired town council members Joe Short, Bernard Kirton and Mick Morris for taking him under their wing and supporting him when he joined the council.

The talented musician was in the Royal Marine Band Service and plays saxophone with his group Penny Blacks.

Mr and Mrs Clough, who are originally from Leicestershire, first came to Whitnash in 1970 and stayed for almost two years. Before he retired Coun Clough worked as an account manager for Royal Mail, a job which took him all over the county. The couple, who have two children, moved to Rugby and Nottingham before returning to the town in 1995.

Outgoing mayor Coun Robert Margrave said: "I think Dave Clough will be a great mayor.

The 37-year-old thanked his wife Tracy-Ann for supporting him in his role and presented her with flowers and a surprise trip to Paris.