A new town reeve has been officially appointed as a historic tradition continues in Bungay.
Stephen Honeywood has returned to the place of his birth to take on the role of Town Reeve.
He was installed into the unique and ancient office at the annual Bungay Town Meeting on Tuesday, December 6, and is looking forward to a busy year as the town’s figurehead.
The 67-year-old, was born in the town and, after leaving Bungay Grammar School, worked at Barclay’s Bank, and later the Halifax Building Society in Norwich.
He returned to the town as the Peterborough Building Society’s youngest manager at the branch at the time.
After a long career in banking, he retired back to Bungay three years ago and has been active in several organisations since.
It is a long-standing Bungay tradition that the outgoing reeve chooses his or her successor from the feoffees (members) of Bungay Town Trust, which the reeve heads.
Mr Honeywood said: "It is obviously a big honour to be asked to be Town Reeve.
"I have been a feoffee for 30 years despite living away.
"Now, being back in the town and involved in a lot of organisations, it is great to have this opportunity.
"I hope I can live up to the role."
During his year in office, Mr Honeywood hopes to work with the town council and other town organisations on plans to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
"I am sure we can make a good occasion of it," he said.
He also hopes the trust can continue to develop monthly Saturday markets, and carry on the initiative to enhance the Castle site and the Castle Hills to make it a green haven in the town centre.
Mr Honeywood, whose work took him away from Bungay in 1987, is currently chairman of the Bungay Castle Trust, treasurer and chairman of the Friends of St Mary’s Church, treasurer of The Bungay Society and chairman of the finance committee on Bungay Town Trust.
He is also a trustee of Bungay Community Centre and Bungay Medical Centre.
"I wanted to be involved in the town as soon as I came back,” he said.
"Although living away for 30 years, I always kept in touch with friends in Bungay, and while living in Lincolnshire still made the five-hour round trip to attend town trust meetings regularly."
Mr Honeywood was installed as the new reeve by outgoing reeve Olly Barnes, who said: "I am thrilled that he agreed to take on the role and I wish him every success.”
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