Visiting local community groups and raising money for his mayoral charity, the Dream Foundation, are on the cards for St Albans’ 470th Mayor.

At St Albans district council’s annual council meeting last Wednesday, Cllr Geoff Harrison was sworn in as the new Mayor of St Albans.

Cllr Harrison, 71, has lived in St Albans for two decades and served Cunningham ward as district councillor for the last 14 years.

After moving to St Albans in 1994, where he lives with partner and consort Mayoress Moira Seton and her family, he began working for Igranic Control Systems as a sales engineer.

Cllr Harrison then worked for Safeway and Morrisons supermarkets in various roles. He still works at the latter supermarket, at Hatfield Road in St Albans, as “community champion” liaising with schools and charities in the district.

During his time with Safeway, Geoff particularly enjoyed working in the wine section – he has an advanced certificate in wines and spirits.

Cllr Harrison has done voluntary work for a number of organisations including the Cell Barnes Youth Project, and the Centre for Voluntary Service.

In his spare time Cllr Harrison, also a St Albans City Football Club fan, is an active member of the Rotary Club of St Albans Verulamium and the Probus Club.

He said: “I am very much looking forward to visiting local community groups and raising money for my mayoral charity, the Dream Foundation.

“The foundation works to improve access to the arts for disadvantaged young people by offering training and performance opportunities.”

He takes over mayoral duties from Cllr Annie Brewster, who is replacing Cllr Mike Wakely as portfolio holder for sports, leisure and heritage.

The new Deputy Mayor is Cllr Janet Churchard, a councillor for Marshalswick ward since 2008. Her husband, Cllr Geoff Churchard, will be her consort for the year.