ABERYSTWYTH’S new mayor is a British Punjabi raised in England who speaks fluent Welsh.

Cllr Talat Chaudhri, who describes himself as a British Punjabi and socialist on his social media accounts, was elected mayor by town council members at a meeting in March – with his position being made official last weekend.

Raised in England, but a fluent speaker of Welsh – as well as Breton – Cllr Chaudhri has lived in Aberystwyth since 1998, and was elected to Aberystwyth Town Council just two years ago to represent the town’s North Ward for Plaid Cymru.

As Aberystwyth’s multi-cultural reputation grows, people from more than 80 countries across the globe are now making the town their home, according to the latest figures.

Cllr Chaudhri’s inauguration ceremony, overseen by a Jewish Rabbi who he appointed as his chaplain despite his Muslim background, was held at the Old College last Friday.

A Mayor’s Parade from the Old Town Hall to St Michael’s Church was held under blue sunny skies on Sunday.

He holds his PhD from Aberystwyth University after studying ancient and modern history at the college of Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford.

He works as a specialist in information services.

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now