New Christchurch mayor Viv Charrett pledges to get town ‘back in bloom’ and help carnival

Newly crowned Christchurch mayor Viv Charrett says she’s “honoured” to have been given the role for the second time.

Viv first served as deputy in 2022/2023 and mayor the following year – now Christchurch town councillors have unanimously voted her back in.

Speaking to the A&T, Viv said: “I feel honoured and really delighted. This time I feel the role will be easier because when you become a mayor for the first time it takes you a while to work out what it is.

“So actually, getting a second chance, running at it, knowing what you're supposed to do, is a really good opportunity.“

Viv was back at it last weekend, taking part in the Barrack Road clean-up which saw residents come together to make the street tidier.

Viv is a councillor for Jumpers and St Catherine’s ward, where she lives with her daughter, son-in-law, small grandson and Millie, the large Bernese mountain dog.

She says one of her main aims this year is to “bring flowers back to the town” explaining: “When I was speaking to people a lot of them were saying that to me – ‘where are the flowers?’.

“Christchurch used to be known for having beautiful displays. My aim this year is to get the flowers in and get the town looking tidy and getting people noticing that it's looking a little bit like it used to.

“So, the council will be working with the chamber of trade and BID as none of us can do it on our own but together we can, which is the great thing, bringing people together.

“I want to restore the flowers and civic pride, I mean I am not talking about winning ‘Britain in Bloom’ – yet but we are getting there so that we can all appreciate it together.”

Viv has chosen Christchurch carnival as her charity for the year. Addressing councillors at Christchurch town council’s annual meeting, she said: “The carnival committee were the first people to welcome me to Christchurch when I moved here, and since then, I've been very involved with them, and particularly on the fundraising side.

“I know how hard it is to raise money for events such as this, the organisations which do so are very much appreciated.”

Cllr David Jones paid tribute to outgoing mayor Paul Hilliard saying that the two words to describe him were ‘commitment and integrity’: “Those have shown through very much in this year when he has gone above and beyond the call of duty.”