THE streets of York echoed to the sound of mediaeval music and guide dogs paraded in honour of the first person to have held the posts of Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

Westfield ward councillor Sue Galloway took the oath of office to become the city’s first citizen at the annual meeting of City of York Council, in the Guildhall.

She was Lady Mayoress in 1983/84 when her husband, Coun Steve Galloway, was Lord Mayor.

York Waits played medieval music as the new Lord Mayor and the new Sheriff of York, Coun Richard Watson, processed from the Guildhall to the Assembly Rooms, with an honour guard of guide dogs for the blind.

In her first speech as Lord Mayor, Coun Sue Galloway pledged that she would help those, particularly young entrepreneurs, wanting to set up business in York.

She also revealed that the Civic Party’s charities this year will be the British Heart Foundation and Our Celebration, a local charity that helps those with mental health problems.

“I consider myself very fortunate to have lived and worked in this friendly city for 40 years, but not once did I believe I would be standing before you as Lord Mayor,” she said.

A retired Rowntree employee and a councillor for 30 years, Coun Sue Galloway is also a keen gardener and trains puppies to be guide dogs.

Her Lady Mayoress during her year in office will be her sister, Lorraine Meehan.

Coun Watson, who represents Haxby and Wigginton ward, is a local solicitor and keen amateur singer. He has been a local councillor for more than 20 years.

His sister, Linda, will be the new Sheriff’s Lady.