There had been eight mayors of Gravesham called John since the First World War and, on Tuesday night, John Caller became the ninth.

At the Woodville Halls, Gravesham council held its annual council meeting which saw Cllr Caller take up the chains as the mayoral year for Cllr Derek Sales came to an end.

The new mayor’s wife, Sue, has become the mayoress while Cllr Gurdip Bungar became the deputy mayor.

Cllr Caller, who works at Britannia Refined Metals in Botany Road, Northfleet, chose EllenorLions Hospice as his charity of the year as it had cared for his mother and grandmother.

The father-of-two was born and schooled in Gravesend.

However, it was revealed he is a Norwich City football fan.

The evening also saw civic awards handed out.

These included a lifetime achievement award for Higham Scout master Peter Allinson who has raised money for the Kent Air Ambulance, EllenorLions Hospices and £42,000 for Children in Need.

Awards also went to Gravesend law firm Hatten Wyatt, the Safe Group, which helps children with mental health questions, wheelchair rugby coach Jason Owen, Gravesend Rugby Club, youngsters Shelley Young, Lewis Samways Head and Christian Fields Community Hub.

More in next week’s Gravesend Messenger.