Borough welcomes first ever Gurkha mayor

Councillor Bhim Saru was appointed as at a ceremony on Wednesday evening in Nuneaton Town Hall

The new mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth is the borough's first ever Gurka to take on the role.

Councillor Bhim Saru, a retired captain from the Royal Engineers regiment, was appointed at a ceremony on Wednesday evening in Nuneaton Town Hall.

Saru, who represents St Mary's ward and has an embroidery shop in the borough, said it was a "tremendous honour", for himself and the "entire Gurkha and Nepalese community".

His wife, Sharmila, is the new mayoress.

"I am thoroughly looking forward to the next 12 months and especially having the opportunity to meet many of our borough's residents during my civic engagements," he added.

Saru is also a president in the British Gurkha Veterans Association and volunteers as an advisor to support several Nepalese communities in the UK.

A spokesperson for Nuneaton and Bedworth Council said the the borough was home to a large Gurkha and Nepalese community and a Gurkha War Memorial had been built in Riversley Park, Nuneaton, in 2015 to commemorate 200 years of service to the Crown and country.

The new mayor received the chains of office from councillor Bill Hancox, who had held the post for the last year, which was his third term of office.

Councillor Tracy Sheppard has been appointed deputy mayor for 2025-26.