Grantham has a new mayor who is a familiar and friendly face around town.

Dean Ward was made mayor at a ceremony on Thursday night, which saw him take over the chains of office from his predecessor Adam Stokes.

As Nub News reported yesterday, the ceremony was about the first time the council chamber was used for an event in months due to the pandemic.

The pandemic also means Dean will serve until Mayor 2022, some 20 months, following on from Coun Stokes, who served 18 months, as typically such ceremonies are held in May.

Coun Ward was born and bred in Leicester but now considers Grantham home.

He told Nub News: "I went to an all boys school but didn't do well with my grades. I left when I was 15 years old with just a few CSEs to my name and joined a small family printing firm run by a couple of Indian brothers."

"In 1982, the Falkland Islands were invaded and that made my mind up to join the Armed Forces. I chose the RAF Regiment, the fighting arm of the RAF but by the time I got accepted and got in, it was all over.

"I was a 'Cold War' soldier. Russia was our foe then but of course, nothing ever happened so my military career was quite non descriptive. I never fired a shot in anger or got shot at. I did get promoted to corporal and I enjoyed that role."

Dean's military highlight was meeting the Queen.

"I was picked to show her around a static weapons display so I was actually speaking to her for about ten minutes. It was a great honour and privilege."

Dean is married to Sandra, who prefers to be called Flo. They have one adult son who also serves in the forces.

"I met my wife in Lincoln when I was at RAF Waddington. She was an auxiliary RAF Regiment gunner. We married a couple years later. She is born and bred in Grantham so it made sense for me to move here."

When Dean left the armed forces, he admits adjusting to 'civvy street' was a struggle at first.

"I did security work, factory work, and worked on building sites until I discovered that working for myself was the way to go. I took on the Barcode pub in Westgate and after that I converted the old Trattoria Sorrento Italian restaurant in Market Place into a bar and also got into property development that I still dabble in."

In 2015, Dean became a councillor, representing Grantham Arnoldfield as a Conservative.

"I became a councillor because It was put to me by a friend that suggested that it might be my thing as I was doing quite a bit for charities and helping others out less fortunate and to my surprise they accepted me."

Dean's military background helped him become the Armed Forces Champion for South Kesteven District Council.

As mayor his chosen charities will be the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre, where he is a trustee, having raised funds for them for 8 years now.

His other charities will be SSAFA, that helps all ex-military across the three branches and Father Stuart's homeless charity for Grantham.

As the town's civic leader and a councillor of some years, Dean is well settled in the town he calls home.

He added: "It's the right size, not a dull, lifeless, grey city but the hospital situation is a disgrace for a town that's growing. We need a new purpose built Hospital open 24/7.

"Money is tight I know but priorities must be common sense and those that deal with this should see this."