New Oakham mayor David Romney is qualified electrician

A qualified electrician is the new mayor of Oakham in what was a hectic week for him.

Coun David Romney (Ind) received the chains of office from the outgoing mayor, Coun Adam Lowe (Ind), during Oakham Town Council’s annual general meeting at the Victoria Hall on May 15.

Coun Romney, who has lived in Oakham with his partner for the past 15 years, said: “On the Tuesday my granddaughter was born and Wednesday I was made mayor so it’s been a pretty hectic week!

“I’m very proud and pleased to be the new mayor of Oakham.

“It’s an important role and we are the representatives for the town and I’ll be doing my best for Oakham.

“I was previously the mayor of Sleaford many years ago.

“In fact, at one point, I was a Sleaford town councillor, a North Kesteven district councillor and a Lincolnshire county councillor so you could say I’m a glutton for punishment!

“I think it’s one of those jobs where you only get out what you put in so the more you do, the better the job becomes.

“The meetings can be quite heated but you do meet some great people.

“I think my first engagement is this Friday where we are going to Catmose Primary School for their May dance.”

He added that he was yet to chose his charities for his mayoral year but would be doing so soon along with the new deputy mayor, Coun Sally-Anne Wadsworth, and the town clerk.

David said Coun Wadsworth’s appointment was well deserved for all of her effort in organising events in Oakham such as the Easter egg hunt and concerts.

He said: “She does so much for the town.

“She deserves to be mayor [next year] for all the work she has done for Oakham.”

David, 61, originally from Sleaford, has one son and two stepdaughters.

He added: “I’m a qualified electrician and used to have my own business but for the past 12 years, I have been a senior electrician at a firm.”

Adam Lowe, the outgoing mayor, said: “My year has been great fun, demanding and rewarding.

“The highlights were seeing projects like the path on Cutts Close completed, raising money for my chosen charity, Out of Hours Club Rutland and meeting so many people like Ron Culpin.

"Recognising the volunteers at my civic event was another top moment.”