16115/02GAZETTE & HERALD: New Calne mayor Cathy Bowyer has already got a smile on her face with the news that the town council has been given planning approval for the proposed £1 million sports facilities at Beversbrook.

Coun Bowyer was officially voted in as mayor at a ceremony at Calne Town Hall on Monday. In the coming year she has declared her main projects to be improving sporting facilities and play areas for children.

The year has started well with North Wiltshire District Council agreeing to outline planning permission for Beversbrook on the day Coun Bowyer became mayor.

Coun Bowyer said: "I'm so excited about this. Improving sporting facilities was one of the main reasons I became a councillor and this is a huge project which I will be keeping a close eye on over the next year."

The town council will now work on a detailed plan for the 97-acre site although only about half the site is expected to be developed.

Mother-of-two Coun Bowyer, 38, of Fynamore Gardens, has been a member of the town council for just two years and is looking forward to the challenges of mayorship.

"Carol O'Gorman has done a wonderful job as mayor and will be difficult to follow but I will have to live up to it to the best of my abilities."

Coun Bowyer, a registered general nurse, has named her chosen cause for the coming year as the 'Children of Calne' and will focus her efforts on the town's youngsters.

Councillor Colin Viner has been made the new deputy town mayor.