By Julie Morgan

Last updated 15:56, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

CONSERVATIVE councillor, Keith Hitchen, has been installed as Copeland’s new mayor.

The new Mayor of Copeland, Keith Hitchen, and the mayoress, his wife Freda.

Keith, 71, who represents Bootle ward, became the borough’s first citizen at a ceremony in Whitehaven Civic Hall on Tuesday night.

Born in Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, he served with the Royal Engineers Junior Leaders Regiment in Dover during his National Service.

He developed a passion for youth work which resulted in him moving to Liverpool during the 1960s, where one of his student youth workers was Derek Hatton. “I was also vice-president for the ASTMS union and I used to stand with Clive Jenkins outside Marks and Spencer in central London touting for members!’’ he said.

Along with his wife, Freda, who will be his mayoress, the couple ran the Brown Cow Inn at Waberthwaite, until they retired in 2006. They now live in Holmrook and celebrated their golden wedding last year. The couple have three children and seven grand-children.

Keith said: “My plans are to increase the profile of Copeland through tourism and I want to encourage any local organisation who needs support to contact me and I will do my best to help.’’

During his year as mayor he will be supporting the West Cumbria Hospice at Home and Air Ambulance charities.

The deputy mayor will be Henry Wormstrup who is the labour councillor for the Harbour ward.

RETIRING mayor, Anne Faichney, said her year had been “a rollercoaster. It has been a fantastic experience with everyday bringing something different.’’

When she was installed last year, it was only hours after the death of her mother, and she admitted she would now be looking after her husband, Bill, who is currently ill and travelling to Newcastle for treatment.

“My husband comes first and we will see how we go from there,’’ she said.