Her Right Worshipful's seat in Exeter Guildhall © Copyright Neil Owen and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Ellie gets to be a Mini Lord Mayor for the day

Building the world's largest waterslide and making teachers wear uniforms were just two of the things schoolchildren came up with when asked what they would do if they were Lord Mayor of Exeter.

The competition was organised by Exeter City Council as part of Local Democracy Week (14 to 18 October). It prompted over 80 entries from five schools across Exeter - St Michael's, Exwick Heights, St David’s, The Maynard School, and Bowhill.

Nine-year-old Ellie Carey from Bowhill School, was selected as the winner for her suggestions. As her prize, Ellie will become Mini Lord Mayor for the day and accompany the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Rachel Lyons, to the Freedom of the City ceremony and celebrations for RAF Brize Norton in the city centre on Monday (21 October). Ellie will be picked up from her school in the Lord Mayor's limousine!

Ellie's winning ideas were:

I would build a wildlife park with a pond, trees, flowers and maybe a small area for dogs. I would paint Exe Bridges again, because the paint is peeling off. I would leave out some food for foxes and badgers
Add a drawing board somewhere and people draw on it and show everyone what they can do.
Build a dog park. It would have lots of full bowls of food and water, we would have shows for talented dogs!
Finally, put lights on the bridge (Exe Bridges) so at night the lights would glow different colours but really faint colours so the drivers don’t get too distracted by the colours.

Other suggestions from children entering the competition included: