Outgoing Lord Mayor of Oxford Carole Roberts says it will be "back to old misery boots" once she hangs up her chain of office, writes Matt Childe.

Her time as Lord Mayor got off to a stormy start after political opponents branded her "bad-tempered and abusive" and refused to give her the traditional all-party support.

Now, as she prepares to pass the role today to fellow city councillor Val Smith, she said she would be launching herself whole-heartedly back into the political fray.

"The smiling Carole will have gone," joked the mum-of-six, of Clematis Place, Blackbird Leys. "It will be back to old misery boots who stands up for the people, no matter what." After her inauguration, Carole, 56, vowed never turn down an invitation to visit a voluntary group, charity or community organisation. She appeared at up to six official events every day.

"I think I kept my promise," she said. "But it has been exhausting and if I had some advice for the next mayor, it would be take plenty of vitamin pills!"

Features of Carole's year included a whistle-stop tour of Oxford's twin towns in France, Germany and Holland in her chauffeur-driven Rover. She even received a make-over from the Oxford Mail's own Fiona Tarrant.

Carole said her personal highlight was seeing the smile on the face of young cerebral palsy suffer Helen Roberts, when the Princess Royal opened the ACE Centre at the Nuffield Hospital.

"The only way she could communicate was through a computer and she had prepared a message to give to Princess Anne," said Carole.

"When she had finished she gave out such a lovely smile. I will never forget it."

Story date: Thursday 20 May

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