Despite being sworn in as mayor of Falmouth for the 11th time on Monday night, Geoffrey Evans admitted to the crowded room that he was “more nervous than I have ever been.”

Mr Evans first took on the role in 1976, only two years after first being elected onto Falmouth Town Council, and has held the post at some point in every decade since, apart from the 1980s.

The mayor-making ceremony this week was the first time the newly elected town council had gathered in public, with six new councillors making their debut appearance and two others making a return to the council chamber.

The new faces around the table are Rowenna Brock, Patricia Minson, Steve Gray, Grenville Chappel, Candy Atherton and her husband, Brod Ross. The two making a return are another husband and wife duo, Steve and Vicky Eva.

Proposing that Mr Evans take another term as mayor was Maureen Davies who said: “As ever, you have done a splendid job over the last three-and-a-half years or so and it would be very good for the town for you to take office yet again.”

There were no other nominations and Mr Evans was unanimously re-elected as mayor. Councillor John Body was unanimously elected as deputy mayor, a post he has held previously. His consort will be his wife, Linda.

Mr Evans re-appointed Colin Brown as his chaplain and announced that Dementia Friendly Falmouth would be the mayor’s charity for 2013/14.

The evening ended with a presentation to mace bearer Terry Pond to mark his 40 years in the post. Mr Pond said: “I have enjoyed every bit of it and I am very proud to hold the post.”

Mr Pond’s son, Sean, is following in his father’s footsteps and has been the town’s second mace bearer for the past seven years.