HARRY Eaglestone,has been named as the new mayor of Witney and is launching a charity to celebrate.

Mr Eaglestone, 76, represents the Witney West ward and has been deputy mayor for the last two years.

He said: “I have looked forward to this position for the last two or three years, and I’m looking forward to meeting people.”

He said he would launch a mayor’s charity and was hoping to have a fundraising mayor’s dinner at the end of the year.

But he has not decided which charity he will raise cash for, although he said it was expected to be a Witney-based organisation.

Conservative Mr Eaglestone was born in Oxford and lived in the county for most of his life, including stints in Stonesfield, Charlbury and Woodstock. He moved to Witney five years ago and joined the town and district council.

Previously, he was a councillor in the Isle of Wight, where he moved after retiring 13 years ago to be closer to his daughter and spend more time sailing.Before retiring, he worked in the printing industry and for many years owned Oxford Litho Plates in Oxford.

Mr Eaglestone was voted in as mayor unanimously at a full meeting of Witney Town Council last Wednesday.

Jim King was chosen as deputy mayor. Mr Eaglestone took over from James Mills, who stepped down at the May 5 election.

Mr Mills said: “It has been a fantastic two years. It is a cliché to say it has been an honour and a privilege to serve as mayor, but it is true. It has been the most fantastic experience.”

In Woodstock, the town council elected independent councillor Jill Dunsmore, as the new mayor.

She said: “I look forward to working with the town council for the benefit of Woodstock and its residents.”

She took over from Julian Cooper, who will remain a councillor. Brian Yoxall was named deputy mayor.

Carterton Town Council re-elected Conservative Norman MacRae as mayor at a full council meeting on May 17. He said: “I’m thrilled, delighted, privileged, honoured and humbled to be re-elected.

“One of my aims last year was to put Carterton on the map, and I want to move forward with that this year.”

Adrian Coomber was re-elected as deputy mayor.