Former Ashby School teacher Councillor Liz Parle has been elected as the town's mayor for 2024/25.

The Labour town councillor was presented with the chain of office by outgoing Mayor, Cllr Avril Wilson at Monday evening's Ashby de la Zouch Town Council meeting.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Chris Smith said: "I am very pleased that Cllr Liz Parle has been elected as the Mayor of Ashby de la Zouch for the year 2024/25. 

"I'm sure that Liz will be an excellent ambassador for the town and the Town Council. 

"This will be the first time that she has been Mayor, as she was elected to the Town Council for the Holywell Ward in 2021. I'm sure that everyone will want to join me in wishing Liz good luck for the year."

Cllr Smith also paid tribute to Cllr Wilson's year as Mayor.

He added: "I would like to thank Avril on behalf of the Town Council, and of the people of the town, for all of the hard work she has put into the office of the Mayor over the last year. 

"Avril has raised the fantastic sum of £4,000 for Bright Hope (Hospice Hope) as her chosen charity."

Cllr Wilson added: "I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to serve the town and council as Mayor for the last 12 months. My husband Bill and I have really enjoyed the year.

"I hope I have served the council and town to the best of my abilities. I hope Liz enjoys his year as much as I have and I know we will all support her as our Mayor for 2024-25."

Cllr Parle added: "I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to represent Ashby de la Zouch as your Mayor for the new civic year. 

"In this regard, I would like to thank the Leader of the Town Council, Chris Smith, and the rest of my colleagues on the Town Council for supporting my appointment.

"I will do my utmost, with the support of my husband Greg to represent and promote our special town.

"In understanding the duties of the Mayor I know I will be ably supported by the Town Clerk, his staff and all the members of the Town Council."

Cllr Parle explained some more about her background.

She said: "I came to Ashby pretty much by accident in 1974. There were lots of houses being built here and it was within reach of plenty of cities with opportunities for employment. 

"My husband Greg was about to embark on a post-grad social work training course at Leicester University and for myself, as a newly qualified English and Spanish teacher, Ashby looked well placed for both of us.

"A chance encounter in Ashby Library, then at Ivanhoe Community College, with the then Headmaster of Ashby Grammar School's wife, resulted in a job teaching English at AGS.

"After four years in Ashby, we started a family and moved across the county to Asfordby near Melton Mowbray.

"Though, after four years, we were drawn back to Ashby where we'd made many friends. I took seven years out of teaching to have three children: Frankie, Jenni and Robert who all went to school here in Ashby.

"I did bits of supply and part-time teaching around Ashby and Coalville and then secured a full-time post teaching English at AGS. I made many friends there and retired in 2011. There are many faces I recognise as I walk round Ashby; they bring back good memories.

"I've always got involved as a volunteer in the community from Ashbrook Playgroup (remember that?), the Oxfam shop to 1st Ashby Girl Guides. I find myself now, busier than ever with my allotment, the Guides, the Labour Party and the Town and District Councils – and finally, Mayor of Ashby.

"I'm looking forward to meeting even more Ashby people over the coming year."