A Wonderful Celebration at the Mayor’s Inauguration Festival
Ashburton came together on Saturday 25 July to celebrate the inauguration of Councillor Lucy Wood as the new Mayor of Ashburton, with a free community festival held at Cléder Place beside the River Ashburn.
Published: 17 August 2026
The festival marked the beginning of Cllr. Lucy Woods year as Mayor and enabled her to share her hopes and ambitions for the town.
In her inauguration speech, Councillor Wood thanked everyone who had joined the celebration and paid tribute to her predecessor, Ann, for her dedication and commitment to Ashburton.
The event was well attended, with residents, families and visitors gathering throughout the afternoon to enjoy music, storytelling and a range of activities in the beautiful riverside setting.
Speaking about the significance of Cléder Place as the setting for her inauguration, she said:
“There could not have been a more fitting place to begin this next chapter than Cléder Place. This beautiful green space and the river beside it represent the heart of our community and the opportunities that lie before us.”
The festival featured live music, face painting and giant bubble making, while storytellers brought the River Ashburn to life with a series of tales inspired by the river and the theme “How can we keep Cutty Dyer happy?” Stories included Watery Stories, River Folk Tales and Hopes and Dreams.
Light refreshments were available, with many people also bringing picnics, blankets and chairs and making the most of the opportunity to spend time together in one of Ashburton’s much-loved green spaces.
The festival was a fitting start to the Mayor’s year in office – bringing people together to celebrate Ashburton, enjoy the riverside setting and look ahead with optimism to what the community can achieve together.
Looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities facing the town, Councillor Wood encouraged the community to look beyond the obstacles and consider what could be achieved together.
“Let us be courageous enough to dream, practical enough to plan, and determined enough to deliver. Let us replace ‘What is?’ with ‘What if?’”
The Mayor also highlighted the important contribution made by the many residents, volunteers, community groups, charities and local organisations who help make Ashburton such a special place.
Ashburton Town Council would like to thank everyone who came along and helped make the Mayor’s Inauguration Festival such a memorable and enjoyable occasion.
