Wells has officially welcomed its new Mayor, with Cllr Louis Agabani taking up the chains of office as the city's 651st Right Worshipful Mayor.

He was sworn in during a ceremony on Saturday 10 May, and becomes the first Black and Muslim person to hold the role in the city's long civic history.

Known to his family as Loaye, Cllr Agabani was born in Sudan and moved to the UK at the age of 10. Arriving in London without speaking any English, he kept a map of his address in his pocket in case he got lost — a small but telling detail from a journey that's taken him from new arrival to a well-known figure in Wells.

He went on to study economics at the City of London Polytechnic, where he met his wife, Pippa. The couple now live in Wells with their children, Archie and Poppy.

While studying, he worked market stalls by day and nightclubs by night — juggling jobs and studies, and building the entrepreneurial drive that would later shape his career. He's since run several businesses in Wells and has played a key role in the Wells Chamber of Commerce.

As Mayor, Cllr Agabani has chosen to support the Wells Skatepark Project — a local campaign to build a free, inclusive skatepark designed by and for the community.

He will be supported during his mayoral year by Mayoress Mary-Ellen Nowell.

Cllr Agabani's appointment has been widely welcomed as both a recognition of his long-standing contribution to the city and a reflection of the community's growing diversity. He begins his term with a focus on inclusion, opportunity, and support for grassroots projects.