THE new chairman of Bromsgrove District Council is encouraging as many people as possible to enjoy a number of events next weekend.

Cllr Rod Laight was elected district council chairman at the end of May, taking over from cllr Caroline Spencer.

Cllr Drew Beaumont became vice chairman.

In his new civic capacity Cllr Laight will attend Bromsgrove's traditional town centre Court Leet on Saturday, June 22, followed by the Primrose Hospice Summer Fete on St Godwalds Road, where there will be craft stalls, entertainment, children's activities, food, drink, live music and more from noon to 4pm.

Cllr Laight said: "I'd like to say a massive thank you to Caroline as I take over from her as council chairman. I'm thrilled to be given the honour of representing our district, and I would like to invite everyone to join us in with the festivities next Saturday.

"There's the Court Leet parade of course in all its regalia, followed by the charter and busy street market in town. And then there's the Primrose fete which as my chosen charity is something very close to my heart.

"Many lives in the district and beyond have been touched by the work the hospice does and as chairman of both the district council and the hospice board of trustees, I look forward to strengthening this and many other relationships in the community during my year in office."