NEW High Wycombe Mayor Frances Alexander is urging people to love the town during her year in the hot seat.>

Mayor Frances Alexander wants people to show their pride in the town. JOHN WEAVER reports

Picture shows incoming mayor Frances Alexander tries out one of the High Street's new informal seating spheres

NEW High Wycombe Mayor Frances Alexander is urging people to love the town during her year in the hot seat.

The Bucks Free Press is backing her call to make it a better place and boost the pride of people living in the town.

Mayors usually have a specific fundraising appeal, but the former Wycombe District Council chairman aims to challenge schools, businesses, clubs, and churches to each do something to make the town more beautiful.

The Liberal Democrat councillor has even produced "I Love High Wycombe" badges and T-shirts.

Furniture firm Ercol has made a wooden front cover with a carved swan for Cllr Alexander's ledger book, in which she hopes to record everything done throughout the year to boost the town.

Cllr Alexander, who was due to be weighed-in as mayor in a traditional ceremony yesterday evening, said: "I want people to want to get their names and projects in the book and see how thick we can make it."

She would also like to see an en- vironmental centre started during her year as chairman, and a set of new gates at Wycombe Museum.

Cllr Alexander, who has lived in High Wycombe for 29 years, said: "I don't think people have been positive enough about the beautiful town that we have. I felt this was a time when we could really look at the town and its citizens and celebrate it ourselves by doing something extra to make it more beautiful.

"It's not just the physical environment but the feelings of people working together and helping to engender a pulling together spirit."

She added: "Schools can make a garden or do something else to make their school more beautiful to show they care about their environment.

"And if a group of people decide to cycle to work every day instead of going to work by car that's also something positive for the environment."

She said: "The heritage aspect is important. High Wycombe has a unique history and there are some unique buildings.

"What we hope is that there will be an increased sense of gratitude for the past, excitement about the present, and planning for the future to cherish our town."

She added: "I want younger people to think that the work of the council is not just the old fogies that get elected.

"I just thought let's throw it open and different people can come up with different ideas to make things happen."

She replaces Cllr Ellen Hall as mayor. Cllr Hall led an appeal to raise cash for a help desk at the magistrates' court during her year in office. She declined this week to comment on her mayoral year, saying she wanted instead to let Frances Alexander talk about her forthcoming plans.

% For further details on the T-shirts and badges, contact the council on (01494) 461000 and ask for the Mayor's Parlour

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