‘DAUNTING’ but a ‘great honour’.

That his how Cllr Tony Heywood sees taking over the role of mayor of Bridgwater after he took over the chains in the traditional mayor-making ceremony on Friday night at the Town Hall.

Cllr Heywood said he felt there were big shoes to fill following the work of predecessor Cllr Diogo Rodrigues.

“Diogo has raised the bar as far as the role of mayor is concerned,” Cllr Heywood said.

“We will be keeping some of the social media initiatives Diogo introduced and will continue to support the Youth Awards.”

As well keeping some of successful aspects of the last mayor’s work, Cllr Heywood has his own areas he is passionate about and hopes to promote throughout the year.

“My parents lived in the Bridgwater area for 30 to 40 years,” Cllr Heywood said.

“Sadly my mother passed away having last year having lived with dementia for nearly 10 years. I am really sad they are not here to see this as I know they would have been proud.

“In memory of my mother I will devote time to promoting dementia and social care awareness.”

Cllr Heywood also has a great passion for the arts, and believes music is a powerful tool to support people with dementia.

“A friend of mine is a performer who puts on a shows in care homes and puts on a musical tour of London through old songs,” Cllr Heywood said.

“When he visited the Rosary Nursing Home where my mother was, I’ll always remember two of the workers saying how one of the women in there with dementia, who had not spoken in many years, starting singing along.”

Cllr Heywood’s passion for the arts come from his background running a theatre in Islington and directing tours for musician Tom Robinson.

He wants to see more people participating and enjoying the arts, and is looking to put on events in the Town Hall during the year.

Before moving to Bridgwater in 2010 Cllr Heywood also spent time as a tutor at Middlesex University and a teacher in Guernsey before working as a director of IT Customer Relationships for Specsavers.

Cllr Heywood said: “I love the depth of history in Bridgwater, whether that is being a leader against slavery to the history of Bridgwater Docks.

“The town is going through huge changes as we speak with Hinkley C, the development of the train station, the rejuvenation of Fore Street and hopefully soon the Celebration Mile.

“It is an exciting time.”