A YEAR in the life of Mayor Rose Kinsella comes to an end today (Thursday) when she dons the mayoral chain for the last time.

Coun Kinsella will make her last appearance as the borough's first citizen when she attends the opening of the Poet Estate Tenants and Residents Association (PETRA) community office situated in Thompson Street which is in Coun Kinsella's St Matthew's ward.

The office will provide a meeting place for the community as well as a source of information for locals. Among the services to be provided at the centre is a councillor clinic in which Coun Kinsella will participate.

For Coun Kinsella the opening of the centre is the icing on the cake in not one ways but two.

She said: "The group has worked so hard to get this building and it is wonderful they have finally got it after so long.

"I am confident this new facility will help create a stronger community spirit in the area.

"But for me to end my mayoral year here is fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better year as mayor. Meeting so many people has been wonderful and I have made many friends as a result - friendships which I am sure will continue after I hand over the chains."

Out of the hundreds of events she has attended over the past 12 months - which have ranged from massive banquets to intimate retirement presentations - Coun Kinsella, who was re-elected with a resounding majority during the recent local elections, finds it hard to pinpoint the one function she has enjoyed the most.

One which does stick in her mind, however, is the creation of a rose garden in her honour - after the Citizen dubbed her "Preston's Rose" in an article last year.

Rose added: "It is impossible to describe what it is like, as a Prestonian, to be given such an honour. It is something that will always be there.

"I have just tried to remain myself throughout the year and I hope people appreciate that."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.