The inaugural civic reception for the Mayor of Chepstow, Ned Hayward, took place at Chepstow Castle on Monday (21st July). "This gold chain is a badge of honour and authority and it means you can talk to anyone you like," he said. So while the sun warmed the battlements of Chepstow Castle, the glitterati of Chepstow showed off their ceremonial gold and were treated to a potted history of Chepstow by Ned's wife Anne Rainsbury, who is the museum curator. She reminded the audience of the noble heritage of the town and the depth of history the residents of Chepstow have inherited. Chepstow opera singer Karl Daymond provided music and comedy with a ditty he wrote about how Ned and Anne met and moved to Chepstow 32 years ago. Fittingly for the Wye Valley and Ned, the potter, the song was set to the music of Flanders and Swann's 'Mud, Glorious Mud' which made the audience titter and join in on the chorus. Sally Hoare read a poem by Wordsworth, 'Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey', extolling the Wye Valley and finally Ned gave a brief speech about his role and that of the Town council. Ned pointed out that the town council only receives about per cent of the total council tax raised in the area, this figure being about £340,000. Chepstow Town Council in return are bound to have two meetings per year and pay the staff. Any remaining funds are spent at the council's discretion and are currently spent on the town's flowers, Christmas decorations, two full time Community Police Officers, partial funding of the CCTV operation in the town centre and supporting other good causes such as SARA, the Bulwark Community Centre and the Drill Hall. "Thank you to my fellow councillors, who re-elected me as mayor. Also to the wonderful staff of the town council who work hard, positively and joyously," he said. "Greatest thanks to Anne, my strongest supporter and most perceptive critic," laughed Ned. On a more serious note he pointed out that familiarity often breeds contempt. "Sometimes those of us who live in Chepstow can't see the wood for the trees, but Chepstow is undoubtedly a lovely town."