LONG-SERVING councillor and former jockey Gerard Oxford has taken up the reins as the new mayor of Colchester.

Mr Oxford, 65, is the first mayor to represent Highwoods, where he has been a councillor for the past 17 years.

The Oxford family have long represented Highwoods, with wife Beverley and son Philip also serving as councillors for the ward.

Mr Oxford was born and bred in Colchester and attended Monkwick Infant and Junior schools and then what is today Thomas Lord Audley School.

He spoke of his delight at becoming mayor at a formal ceremony at the Town Hall yesterday.

He said: “I would like to thank the group leaders and every councillor for supporting my nomination and my year ahead.

“Julie’s theme for the year was making changes.

“She was the first mayor to really target businesses for sponsorship and she had many successes.

“She started something I hope successive mayors carry on.

“We have learned a lot from Julie and her escort Tim Young in the past year and I want to thank her personally.

“My theme will pick up on Julie’s theme of making changes, our theme is caring.

“This year we will raise money for Headway, Samaritans, Chavasse House, St Helena Hospice, Guide Dogs for the Blind Colchester and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

“They were very helpful to me wh en I suffered my accident.

“I think these are all worthwhile charities.

“I can promise a pack ed programme of charity events, there will be something for everyone.

“This is my home town, I cannot wait to get started.”

Tributes to Mr Oxford flooded in from across the council chamber, before cabinet positions were formalised and the mak eup of the council’s committees confirmed.

Conservative councillor Peter Chillingworth was named Deputy Mayor.

Dennis Willetts said: “On behalf of the Conservative group I am delighted to support Gerard Oxford.”

Dominic Graham, speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “You would find it difficult to find a man any more deserving of this, he is an exceptional councillor and a great representative of the people of Highwoods.”

  • PROUD outgoing mayor Julie Young hailed a “fabulous” year of record fundraising and greater inclusion.

The Greenstead representative, who has served on Colchester Council since 1998, was the borough’s first Labour mayor for 24 years.

After a “successful” year, Mrs Young welcomed Highwoods Indepedent group leader Gerard Oxford as the new mayor for the year.

Mrs Young raised tens of thousands of pounds for her chosen charities, Beacon House, Signpost, Open Road, the Invicta Foundation and the Rob George Foundation.

Mrs Young said: “I have had a fabulous year as mayor of Colchester. I set out to make changes, that was my theme for the year, and I feel I have achieved what I set out to do.

“We have raised record levels of money for my chosen charities. We have raised just shy of £50,000 in total - and £9,500 funded 100 pensioners visiting the Oyster Feast.

“Never have Colchester businesses been so involved in supporting the mayoral year - with donations and fundraising.

“It has been a tremendous honour.

“The very last thing I will do is sign a letter to go to councillor Leese and Mayor Burnham to show solidarity and support from Colchester to the Manchester community.

“Although today is a day of celebration, the loss of the victims in the Manchester bombings lies in all of our minds.”

We are all coming to terms with this heinous act.”