Tonbridge and Malling’s newly-elected Mayor is relishing a year ahead of meeting people from across the area.

Cllr Owen Baldock, who represents the Castle ward, succeeded Cllr Sasha Luck at Tonbridge and Malling council’s annual meeting yesterday.

A long-serving councillors, he has represented the ward since 1984.

As Mayor he will be tweeting about all the events he attends and using Facebook.

He said: “I had a wonderful year as Deputy Mayor; it was tremendous to be involved with so many local charities, clubs and organisations. I enjoy meeting people and look forward to many more visits this year.”

Born in Kent in 1956 at Rodmersham Green near Sittingbourne, he moved to Speldhurst in 1960 and went to the local primary before attending Ridgeway School Southborough.

In 1970 he and his family moved to Hadlow and after leaving school he qualified as an electronics engineer with the Ministry of Defence working in Chislehurst, eventually becoming a senior research engineer at Fort Halstead in Sevenoaks.

He married Christine in 1979 and the couple moved to Tonbridge.

He has served on a variety of committees, chaired the Area 1 planning committee and was instrumental in achieving the construction of the new Tonbridge Swimming Pool, and restoration of Tonbridge Castle Gate House.

A keen gardener and photographer, he enjoys working on his late father-in-law’s pre-war car; is a volunteer flood warden in Tonbridge and a member of Tonbridge Civic Society and The Oast Theatre.

The charities he has chosen during his mayoral year are the Bridge Trust which helps homeless people in the Tonbridge area and the Slideaway Charity in Wrotham, which offers care and support for children who have lost a sibling or relative.

The Deputy Mayor for the year is Cllr Mark Rhodes, who represents the Hildenborough ward.

At the same meeting, the council re-elected Nicolas Heslop as its leader for a further four years.

He also announced his cabinet as: Cllr Martin Coffin, member for finance and innovation and Deputy Leader; Cllr Jill Anderson, member for housing and environment services; Cllr Maria Heslop as member for community services, Cllr Brian Luker for community safety and Cllr Howard Rogers, member for planning and transport.

Cllr Heslop said: “We will continue to work hard in the continued delivery of high quality and cost effective services for our residents; we will work more closely with businesses and investors so that our towns and villages are places where people wish to visit, and where business people can operate to bring increased vitality to our communities; and we will continue to be champions for the communities we serve, ensuring our borough is one of the best places to live.”