THE ever popular son of Tudor Street, Councillor Ray Hill was officially installed as Abergavenny's new mayor in a tradition packed ceremony at the town's Borough Theatre on Monday night. Accepting the role for the fifth time, Councillor Hill told an audience largely made up of representatives of the many local organisations he supports, it was a 'great pleasure' to once again wear the mayor's robes. "Some people may think I'm greedy taking the job on for the fifth time, but I aim to work as if this was my first time. I feel as enthusiastic about being mayor now as I did the first time I did it," he said. Vowing to support any local organisation asking for his help, Councillor Hill promised to attend any event he was invited to. "If I can't go I've appointed an excellent deputy who will," he joked. In appointing Councillor Norma Watkins as his deputy, Councillor Hill recorded an impressive first for the town council. "I think it's the first time ever we've had a mayor and a deputy mayor who were both born in Tudor Street," he said. Councillor Hill added that in his year of office he aimed to continue his fight to retain the cattle market and to fight against proposals to increase car parking charges in Abergavenny. "I want to see this town move forward not go backwards," he said. "We have a wealth of wonderful organisations in Abergavenny and we should all work together to achieve the best for the town," he said. In nominating Councillor Hill for the position of Abergavenny's first citizen, Councillor Gilbert Fury said he had no hesitation in supporting him, citing his long service as a councillor and his tireless support for local organisations from the Borough Band to Nevill Hall Sound. "It is also fitting that in his year of office, Ray and his wife Muriel will be celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary," said Councillor Fury.