New Mayor Mary begins year of office

It was an extra special day for the new Mayor as it also happened to be her 61st birthday!

The Mayor has been a Borough Councillor for 13 years and has lived in Ipswich for 40 years. She told Councillors: "I guess that makes me an adopted daughter of Ipswich! I have many friends here and my interests including reading, music, sport and the cinema. People who know me say I am a good listener - when they can get a word in - and I do laugh a lot."

Councillor Blake gained an Honours BA in Sociology from "down the road" at the University of Essex and retired this year from her job as an Education Welfare Officer at Suffolk County Council. Her consort for the year is her partner, John Duffy, an Ipswich man born and bred and a former Thurleston pupil.

The Mayor added: "I have always had a keen sense of belief in fairness and that is the reason for my choice of charities: Lighthouse - Women's Aid Ipswich, Town 102 Kids Trust and Crisis UK. It is a privilege and honour to be elected Mayor and both John and I are looking forward to serving the people of Ipswich during the coming year."

The former Mayor, Councillor John Le Grys, serves as Deputy Mayor for the next year.