Coun Dave Casewell is made made mayor of Uppingham for 2019

An avid morris dancer and Camra secretary is the new mayor of Uppingham.

Coun Dave Casewell took the chains of office from outgoing mayor Coun Miranda Jones at the town council's annual meeting on May 15.

Coun Casewell, said: "I'm delighted really to be mayor.

"It's the second time I have been mayor so I'm really pleased to have the support and confidence of my colleagues.

"I was previously mayor of Uppingham between 2012 and 2014.

"I've lived in the town for over 30 years and lived in the area for about 40 years so I'm proud to call it my home.

"I live in the town centre so I'm fairly plugged into what's going on and the issues. "

Dave, 70, is originally from Chipping Sodbury in South Gloucestershire and counts morris dancing and being the secretary of Rutland Camra as his main hobbies.

He has previously been a teacher and his final job before retiring 10 years ago, was director of quality at the Tresham College, which has campuses in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Silverstone and was responsible for the former Rutland County College.

"I do all sorts of things and have got lots of part time interests which keeps me from walking the streets!" he said.

"I have been a member of the Rutland Morris Men for 40 years and I'm also the secretary of Rutland Camra.

"We've been growing the membership and now have 210 and that's up from zero 10 years ago.

"I'm also the bass drummer for the Hallaton and Medbourne Bottlekicking band so that's as far as my musical talents stretch!

"Both my daughters play in brass bands and one is a music teacher but I just play the bass drum!"

Tradition dictates that there are no mayor's charities in Uppingham but Dave said he wanted to focus on three issues during his mayoral year:

"We just bringing Uppingham's neighbourhood plan forward and we're also improving the access to our town hall.

"We're going to have sloping access which will make it much more accessible to wheelchairs, pushchairs and others who struggle to get up steps.

"We also want to improve Tod's Piece and the children's playground there."

He will be assisted throughout the year by Steve Rozak

Dave is married to Loreley and they have two grandchildren.