Proud David handed the clog-iron chain

READY when you are, Mr Mayor, David Buckley, new Mayor of Austerlands

A veteran of the 1982 Falklands war has steered a 65-year-old tradition back into the spotlight.

David Buckley of Springhead has been appointed “Mayor of Austerlands” at a ceremony at the Old Original Inn, Scouthead.

The inauguration yesterday saw retiring mayor, David Needham, pass on the ceremonial clog-iron chain of office.

Ex-mayor Roger Fielding — complete with red tailcoat and white bow tie — conducted the formal proceedings attended by previous Austerlands mayors.

Mr Buckley (54) served nine years as a marine engineer in the Royal Navy and his ship was on mine sweeping duties during the Falklands crisis. After 33 years he has just received the South Atlantic Medal awarded to service personnel active in the campaign.

The chemicals industry engineer was raised in Greenfield but moved to Austerlands in 1984.

He is the 16th Mayor of Austerlands since the tradition was reintroduced in 1998. The title’s origin is said to date to the late 1940s.