Rotarian Keeley Allin is definitely making a difference in the North Devon town of Great Torrington where she has just become Mayor.
At the age of just 22, locals believe that Keeley is the youngest person to have ever held the town’s office. She is definitely the youngest Mayor in the south-west, and probably in the country.
Keeley joined Rotary in 2017 when she was just 19-years-old, but she had already attended many meetings and events with her mother, Rotarian Sue Mills.
Her interest in serving the community is long-standing. In 2008, at the age of 12, Keeley was Mayor’s Consort to mum Sue, when she was Mayor, and then in 2015, Keeley became a Town Councillor in her own right.
It is wonderful to have youngsters like her whose lives are dedicated to service for and in the community.”
“We are very proud of Keeley, and believe that Rotary is safe in her hands,” said David Large from Torrington Rotary. “It is wonderful to have youngsters like her whose lives are dedicated to service for and in the community.”
As for Great Torrington’s first citizen, she is looking to put a smile on the face of the town.
Keeley said: “The main aims for my year is to encourage everyone in the town to take pride in our beautiful town.
“We live in such a picturesque area and we should all be doing our bit to show it off to its very best.
“Also, I want to help our local businesses and to increase footfall in the town.
“We have lots of lovely independent shops and we need to shout about this. We also have our lovely Pannier Market and our brand new town hall, which I look forward to see being used for a range of events.”
Keeley is passionate about helping the youth of the town and is a member of a steering committee which has recently started the Youth Genesis project.
She has also nominated First Torrington Scouts and Torrington Police Amateur Boxing Clubs as her official charities for the year.
Keeley Allin stewarding at the Torrington Arts and Music Festival.
It promises to be a busy year for the youngster, who works as a professional photographer.
Keeley recently acted as a judge in the Rotary club’s round of Rotary’s Young Photographer competition when Luke Pluckrose, from her old school, Great Torrington School, went on to win the District round and was the runner-up in the national final.
Nonetheless, the Rotary club doesn’t expect Keeley to rest on her laurels.
Once her year as Mayor finishes, she has agreed to be a President-nominee for 2019/20 with a view to becoming President of Torrington Rotary in 2021/22.
