Councillor Carol Swain has been elected to serve as mayor for Truro. 

Carol received her chain at the annual mayor-making ceremony held in Truro Cathedral, following the two-year tenure of Cllr Steven Webb. 

Originally from Lancashire, Cllr Swain moved to Truro some 20 years ago when health issues led to her early retirement from the NHS. She began volunteering at Mid-Cornwall Credit Union (Cornish Community Banking), later becoming chairman of the board and of its loans committee. 

In 2018, Cllr Swain was co-opted onto Truro City Council as one of the councillors for Tregolls ward, where she continues to live. She was re-elected two years ago, and became the city’s deputy mayor last year. 

Nominated by Cllr Loic Rich and seconded by Cllr Rob Nolan, she was elected unanimously as 2023/24 mayor of Truro, with Sarah Douglas-Martin her chosen mayoress. Cllr Sam Rabey was elected unanimously as deputy mayor, with Graham Ford as consort. 

Cllr Swain said she would be working hard to help to make the council as effective as possible. She thanked her fellow councillors, family and friends and everyone at Truro City Council for their support and encouragement, and paid tribute to her mayoral predecessors.

This year’s event, one of the most important in the City Council’s calendar, was attended by large numbers of past and present city and county councillors, mayors and civic dignitaries from other towns in Cornwall, and representatives of partner organisations. Entertainment was provided by members of PicnMix, a group of young people from the Cornwall Down’s Syndrome Support Group who have a passion for dance.  

Following the official robing ceremony, Cllr Swain returned to the front of the Cathedral to sign the formal Declaration of Acceptance of Office. She was accompanied by outgoing mayor Stephen Webb, town clerk Roger Gazzard, town crier Lionel Knight and the macebearers, together with Reverend Simon Clarke of Truro Methodist Church and cadet Aidan Nelson.

Cllr Swain said she was humbled by the trust that her fellow councillors had put in her and would do her level best to be worthy of it. “If anyone had told me, when I was sitting in that show-house and writing out a cheque to pay my plot reservation fee to Wainhomes, that 20 years later I would be standing here as mayor of Truro, I would have said that it was impossible – and yet, here I am today,” she said.

“It is time to roll up our sleeves, rise to the many challenges we all face, and together we will make Truro the best that it can be, both now and in the future.”

The mayor’s chosen charities for the coming year are Truro Food Bank and St Petroc’s.