DONALD Butler, described by a fellow councillor as ‘the cheeky chappie’ of Thame, has taken over as the town’s Mayor from his predecessor, Cllr David Bretherton.
Don, who has been the Mayor of Thame three times before, was handed the chain of office by Cllr Bretherton at last night’s Town Council AGM (20/05/08).
The outgoing Mayor spoke of the great pleasure and privilege he felt at having served as Thame’s Mayor, recalling that he had visited almost every town in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, including Aylesbury, saying that he felt it was important to carry on with the links to, what he called, ‘our major town.’ He was presented with a Past Mayor’s badge, the first to receive such a badge of office.
Cllr Butler said that he was looking forward enthusiastically to his new responsibilities and said that he felt positive the council could work together to carry on preserving the quality of the town and to sort out its problems, backed up by the town hall staff.
Pledge to help the elderly
In announcing his chosen charities for the year, the new Mayor said: “Although the young are very much deserving, and it is my aim that we do a lot for them, this year, Meadowcroft (residential home for the elderly) is half built and almost ready, they will need some of the ‘niceties’ like a fish tank and pictures of Thame.
New hospital for Thame?
“Also,” he continued, “Thame hospital has been working for five or six years to get a new hospital built in the grounds and hopefully, a lot of funding should be announced within the next couple of weeks. The dream is to include diagnostic facilities and a new health centre within the new development, so I think we should support the Hospital League of Friends.”
Cllr Beatrice Dobie, who is Vice Chair of the ‘League thanked the Mayor on its behalf.
Photo: The new Mayor of Thame, Don Butler, pins the Past Mayor’s badge on his predecessor, Cllr Dave Bretherton.
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