BRADFORD’S outgoing Lord Mayor has spoken of his “momentous year” in office – which saw him welcome the new King to the city.

Councillor Martin Love (Green, Shipley) ended his year as Mayor on Tuesday, when he handed over the chains of office to Councillor Gerry Barker (Cons, Wharfedale).

Few Lord Mayors will have had as eventful a year as Cllr Love.

Shortly after he took on the role it was announced that Bradford had been awarded City of Culture for 2025.

He was then the Bradford representative in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations – lighting the beacon in City Park.

When the Queen died in September Cllr Love played a key role in how Bradford mourned her death.

And in November he welcomed King Charles to Bradford – his first visit to Yorkshire.

But at a meeting of Bradford Council on Tuesday, Cllr Love was told his greatest impact may have been during some of his less grand visits.

Praising Cllr Love for his service, Councillor Brendan Stubbs, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, singled out not the visit by the King, but a visit to Thackley Primary School.

He said: “You could see how excited the kids were. If you’re going to be proud, that’s what you should be proud of. You left those children feeling that someone really important had come to their school, listened to them and helped explain how the world works.

“The Mayor has a big impact on the lives of people throughout the district when they turn up.”

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe, who was re-elected as leader at the same meeting, said Cllr Love had “given a great service during momentous times.”

Cllr Love said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have served over the last year, and what a year it has been.”

On the King’s visit, he said: “Bradford was the first destination he visited in Yorkshire – before Leeds, and he was clearly impressed by the warmth and welcome he received in Bradford.

“As a Councillor people tend to only come to you when things are wrong. When you are Lord Mayor you get invited to all the good things. It is often the smaller scale ones that turn out to be the most special.

“You deal with all kings of people, from toddlers to the King.

“My biggest thanks goes out to all the wonderful people of this amazing district of ours.

“I always thought of myself as a proud Bradfordian, but the last 12 months has let me see how great the people really are, and how wonderful the district really is, despite what any London-based TV producers would have you think.”