A FORMER North Berwick High School pupil has described becoming chairwoman of the town’s community council as “an enormous honour and a privilege”.

Judy Lockhart, 30, took the helm of the group last Tuesday evening, two years after joining.

The community council, which aims to represent the views of the town’s residents, had previously been led by interim chairwoman Claire Mackenzie, who stepped down from the group at the meeting in the town’s Hope Rooms.

Miss Lockhart told the Courier: “I was brought up in North Berwick and have lived here for the vast majority of my life.

“I think it is a fantastic town with so much to offer.

“I was thrilled to join the community council almost two years ago and it is an enormous honour and a privilege to be elected as chair.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of North Berwick Community Council since my joining for your support and encouragement throughout various projects and tasks.”

Miss Lockhart, who will be assisted by Gordon Moodie as vice-chair, with Kathryn Smith continuing as secretary, identified two big challenges for the town.

She said: “I think the biggest issue facing North Berwick is there are quite a lot of concerns about the Edington [Hospital] and The Abbey [care home] being reprovisioned and there are a lot of planning applications that people are concerned about.

“In terms of the community council, we have quite a few vacancies to fill (see story left) but I think that will be a short-term issue.”

Miss Lockhart, who works as an internal auditor, was keen to see those vacancies filled quickly and encouraged people to get in touch with the group’s secretary.

She was also keen to see the group move forward and identify projects it could assist.

She said: “I really enjoyed being part of the community council as a member.

“There has been quite a lot of change over the two years I have been a member.

“There was quite a lot of uncertainty and I felt I would be able to help with that and I am fully committed.”

Ward councillor Jeremy Findlay was among those at Miss Lockhart’s first meeting as chairwoman and described her as “a very good choice”.

He said: “She conducted the first meeting extremely well and I think she represents the next generation of North Berwick people coming through who have a huge interest in their community and environment.”