THE new mayor of Havering has been named.
Councillor Eric Munday, who represents Squirrels Heath on Havering Council, was handed the chain of office and mayoral robes in a ceremony at the Town Hall.
The Conservative has taken over from his fellow party member and Squirrels Heath representative Councillor Lynden Thorpe.
Cllr Munday has been a Havering Councillor since May 1978.
He was leader of the council between 2002 and 2004 and previously held the post of Mayor of Havering from 1985 to 1986.
Cllr Munday said: "The last time I was mayor, it was a very enjoyable year, and I'm sure the coming year will be equally enjoyable, going around to many of the organisations in this borough."
His consort will be his wife Peggy Munday. Instead of announcing a mayor's charity now, he will distribute funds to local charities at the end of his term of office.
Cllr Linda Trew, who represents Mawneys, has been named as the new deputy mayor.
The outgoing mayor Cllr Thorpe, who has been a Havering Councillor since 2007, said: "What a year.
"I end it with an overwhelming sense of pride in Havering and its residents."
She said the highlights of her year included attending street parties and events with her consort David to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics, as well as following the Olympic Torch from Hornchurch to Rainham when it passed through the borough; meeting many local school pupils; and seeing the Royal Anglians march through Romford, which she describes as "the most memorable of the big events".
In the course of a typical year, the mayor attends around 600 engagements across the borough.
