A NURSE will inject her energy and enthusiasm into a hectic year as Mayor of Portland.

Councillor Sylvia Bradley was made mayor at a packed ceremony at Portland United Football Club.

The Southwell resident said she was overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up.

She said: “I think more people turned up than have turned up for any mayor-making.

“We had 130 chairs out and they had people standing up. It was quite popular.”

Coun Bradley was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque to mark the occasion.

She is prepared for a packed schedule of mayoral engagements as she dons the chain of office for the Olympic year.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“The island is the mainstay of the Olympics. I will also be mayor for the Jubilee events and I’m looking forward to the beacon lighting at the Verne at the beginning of June.

“I’m also excited about the torch relay at Portland Bill and the underwater wheelchair artist coming out of the water with the torch.

“I think we’ve got to be the only place that’s doing that.”

Coun Bradley’s first official engagement will be on Sunday when she attends a service in Wimborne to celebrate the Jubilee.

Coun Bradley has selected Julia’s House children’s hospice and Coastwatch on Portland as her chosen charities for the year.

She said: “Coastwatch is very dear to my heart as a Southwell resident. With the coastguard helicopter being lost from the island they will be taking more on to try and save people’s lives.

“They aren’t funded by anyone and rely on donations from people. The people who volunteer for it are wonderful.”

And more than 50 years in nursing has made Coun Bradley very aware of the work that goes on at Julia’s House.

She said: “I still work as a forensic nurse. I really want to help Julia’s House because they rely on donations not on the government.

“To have a child with cancer is the worst thing you can experience in life.”

Coun Bradley will be accompanied by her consort David Bradley at her engagements.

She said: “I will try to do every event I can. I will get myself involved in every event possible.

“My colleagues are going to swap various shifts with me so I can try and get to the events.”

Coun Bradley replaces Councillor Ian Munro-Price as mayor.

The new deputy mayor is Councillor Les Ames.