MIKE Tagg has been elected as the new Portreeve and Mayor of Callington and Kelly Bray, following on from Suzan Tolman, who now becomes Deputy Mayor.

The title of Portreeve is a very historic one dating from the end of the ninth century and the reign of the Anglo Saxon King Edward the Elder (c 874-924).

Callington is one of only a small number of towns still using it, others including Ashburton and Kingsbridge in Devon, Yeovil in Somerset, Laugharne in Carmarthenshire, West Wales, and Beccles in Suffolk.

Originally given to a warden who had authority over a town, in Callington it is today used as the title of the town council chairman.

Cllr Tagg said of his election to the role: “I am proud and privileged to be elected as Portreeve and Mayor of Callington and Kelly Bray. Mind you, after spending a number of years as a Troop Sergeant in Royal Marine Commando units, I find it a bit hard being as tactful and diplomatic as I should be!

“However, we have fantastic council staff and a wealth of experience in our Councillors.

“Suz Tolman was unanimously voted as Deputy Mayor because of the marvellous job she did during the pandemic, plus a couple of projects she started and needed to complete. Namely our upgraded public toilets and a COVID hero’s memorial bench.

“Personally, for my time in office, I would like a closer working relationship with all of our wonderful organisations in the town, of which there are many, and in particular the ‘Town Forum CIC’, which will be heavily involved in the ‘Foot project’, which is aimed at the youth of our parish.”