THE new Mayor of Cardigan wants to instil a fresh sense of community spirit in the town.

Cllr Richard Jones, who will be accompanied by Mayoress Miss Elin Jones, was installed at a ceremony in the Guildhall on Tuesday night during the town council’s annual general meeting and said one of the main priorities during his 12-month term of office would be to revive the fortunes of the carnival.

Cllr Jones said: “I still can’t quite believe I am the mayor of Cardigan and it feels quite surreal. Thank you for the honour

“I want to create more of a community spirit in the town during the next year. We have had a few meetings about the carnival and we are working around the week of the Cardigan show.”

Ideas being kicked around include a multi-legged fancy dress race, a quiz, a treasure hunt, a beer barrel relay through the town, a deliberate mistake in a shop window and culminating in a parade through town and finishing at the King George V playing fields.

Cllr Jones is also keen to improve the appearance of Cardigan.

“I am hoping to work with Keep Wales Tidy in September. Down by the river does not seem bad but last time we had a clear up we collected something like 35 bags of rubbish – including a microwave oven among other things,” he said.

He also put out a call for an electrician and a welder who would help to improve the lights in the town.

“Anyone who has any ideas at all, no matter how silly, as to how we can improve Cardigan, can get in touch with me,” added Cllr Jones.

There was also a vote of thanks for the achievements of outgoing major, Cllr Clive Davies and his consort Mrs Myra Davies.

Cllr Davies, in his closing speech, highlighted a number of achievements he was proud of during his term in office during which he attended more than 300 functions.

The launching of a Cardigan app and plans for free wi-fi were high on the list, along with the Christmas lantern parade, the unique town map, raising money for Save the Children and Comic Relief, while the Mayor’s Fund will be able to purchase two defibrillators.

Cllr John Adams-Lewis was installed as deputy mayor.