After a hiatus caused by the Coronavirus pandemic Plympton once again has a Stannator and a new Youth Ambassador following an investiture ceremony for both roles held at Harewood House on April 23.
Pastor Arno Bessel has become the 41st modern day Stannator and Bel Winsor-Maloney is fourth person to take up the role of Plympton Youth Ambassador.
Arno was chosen as Stannator-elect at the March AGM of Plympton Community Council in a three way secret ballot of the individuals and groups making up the Community Council and Bel was chosen from four candidates interviewed for the role by a selection panel on 8 April.
Guests, including The Lord Mayor of Plymouth Cllr. Terri Beer and her consort Mr Colin Beer, Sir Gary and Lady Streeter, as well as family, friends and members of Plympton Community Council witnessed Arno take his oath of office and Bel make her promise following which they were presented with their chain and badge of office.
The ceremony was presided over by John Gilding, the recently elected new chairman of Plympton Community Council.
It is customary for the new Stannator to announce one or more chosen charities to support during their stannatorial year. Arno has selected two causes – Jeremiah’s Journey and Plympton Foodbank.
During her year as Youth Ambassador Bel wants to work towards getting more young people involved in volunteering and encouraging local charities to advertise opportunities for them to volunteer.
While at the investiture evening the Lord Mayor was presented with a cheque for £700 by the Plympton Community Council for her own two charities, Bowel Cancer West and the NSPCC. This sum was raised over the past twelve months via various activities including running the coffee bar at Harewood House.
The three historic Plympton Maces made their annual pilgrimage from Plymouth to Plympton for the investiture evening and following the ceremony the Lord Mayor wore the fabulous Astor Diamonds.
Anyone wishing to have the Stannator or Youth Ambassador come along to any of their groups or events should e-mail plymptoncommunitycouncil@gmail.com
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
