Chippenham’s new mayor is the youngest in the town’s history and says he is ‘incredibly proud’ to have the role.  

Councillor for Pewsham Declan Baseley became the 189th Mayor of Chippenham on May 24 and at 27 years old is the youngest ever and first openly gay person to take the prestigious title.

He has succeeded councillor Liz Alstrom. 

Cllr Baseley said: “I’m incredibly proud to be representing my hometown as the new mayor. 

“I’m the first openly gay mayor and there may have been someone closeted in the past but now we’re in a progressive society it’s not as much of an issue. 

“I’m a very passionate environmentalist so I’m looking to work towards a more sustainable future for our descendants.  

“I hope the people of the town will see how keen, sincere and passionate I am about making sure we strive towards a better town.  

“I have always tried to be an active member with the community, and this is just the next step after I was elected to the local council two years ago.” 

Cllr Baseley also works for a wine storage company in Corsham. 

He added: “I’ve had a few jobs over the years. I’m working for a wine storage facility in Corsham I manage the accounts of the clients who store expensive wine and I help them keep track of it and answer their questions.  

“I’ve been doing that for five years. I’m doing that full time as well in conjunction with being the mayor. I have plenty of time to be the mayor at the same time.”  

Chippenham is where he was born and grew up. 

He said: “I went to Abbeyfield School and didn’t actually go to university.

"I studied at college then went more or less went straight into wine after working with a renewable energy company for a couple of years."

Cllr Baseley said he did not feel that he would be overwhelmed by the role: “It’s been very exciting. It is certainly not a role that daunts me. It is one I feel prepared to take on. I’ve become good at time management over the last couple of years.”