A GRANDFATHER who has been in politics for two decades has been appointed as Harwich’s new mayor.

John Brown was elected as mayor in a special ceremony which was steeped in tradition.

The Ukip town councillor, who is also a Tendring district councillor for Harwich West, has been deputy mayor twice.

Traditionally, the deputy mayor automatically takes up the post of mayor, but in 2009 political infighting broke the centuries-old tradition.

Opposition councillors nominated an alternative for the position and Mr Brown, then a member of the Community Representatives Party, stepped down.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Mayor - John Brown and wife Carol

Now Mr Brown has taken the town’s top civic role after being voted as the new mayor before donning the red mayoral robes and parading along Church Street to St Nicholas Church.

Mr Brown, with his wife and the new mayoress, Carol, then threw kitchels from the Guildhall, a Grade II listed building, in the traditional ceremony dating back more than 400 years.

The kitchels, which are sweet buns, are made specifically for the ceremony and are thrown to a waiting crowd by the new mayor each year.

Mr Brown said he was delighted to finally become mayor.

He said: “I’m really pleased.

“I’ve been nearly there before and missed out and this time it has gone through.

“I’m now looking forward to the challenge of the role.

“One of my big ideas is if I can encourage businesses to come to the town.

“I really would like to get some more shops here.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Achievement - John Brown said he was delighted to become mayor 

Mr Brown was joined at the Guidhall window with his two grand daughters, Libby and Megan.

“They really enjoyed it,” he said.

“The whole ceremony went really well.

“There were a lot of children there who seemed to really enjoy it - it was lovely.”

The mayoress’s chosen charities for the year are The Fellowship for the Sick and the Electric Palace.

The deputy mayor is Labour councillor Charlie Powell who represents East Ward.