A FORMER science teacher has become the new chairman of Ryedale District Council - and is only the fourth woman to do so.
Councillor Helen Schroeder took over the role at a council meeting in Malton.
She represents the Ebberston ward and lives at Thornton-le-Dale with her husband, Peter. She has two daughters and three grandchildren.
Coun Schroeder is chairman of the North York Moors National Park and hopes that the two chairmanships will work together in helping to raise the profile of the area.
"One of my aims as chairman is to assist in the rural recovery of the Ryedale area," she said.
"Already, partnership projects with both Ryedale and the North York Moors National Park are established, and I hope that, through the chairmanship of both, problems facing both of the areas can be addressed."
She has chosen Ryedale Special Families and Medicin Sans Frontieres as her charities for the year.
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