TWO of Haslemere's political stalwarts have announced than they will not be seeking re-election in the Waverley Borough Council elections in May.

Waverley Conservative councillor for Haslemere South, Ann Mugford will be standing down after devoting 29 years to the job.

Also retiring from local politics is Waverley Conservative councillor for Haslemere North and Grayswood, Jean Mansley, who will have served 16 years by the time of the elections.

Mrs Mugford who also served as a Chiddingfold parish councillor from 1977 to 1995, and is on the committees of Haslemere Society and Haslemere Initiative, told the Herald this week that she was considering moving to north Cornwall to be closer to her family.

"I feel that there is no more senior work as a councillor or politician that I can do here and a younger person should take over," said Mrs Mugford.

A former chairman of Waverley in 1982, before the introduction of a mayor, Mrs Mugford has held a number of high-profile roles at Waverley Borough Council and successfully stood for election for both Waverley and Chiddingfold Parish Council, where she was chairman or vice-chairman for a number of years, 13 times.

She was also shortlisted six times as a prospective Tory candidate for Westminster in the 1980s and was at one time offered a candidacy.

Widowed in 1976, shortly before becoming a councillor she brought up two sons single- handed while working much of the time for the former ICI at Fernhurst.

Mrs Mansley revealed this week that she too would not be seeking re-election.

"Basically I have had enough," said Mrs Mansley, who was also a former Haslemere mayor and served on the town council for eight years.

"I don't like the new arrangements imposed on us by the government, and I don't believe the cabinet system has been an improvement," she said.

"The lack of resources has become very frustrating. We can't do half the things we need to or want to do, and far more money should be given to help the voluntary sector," maintained Mrs Mansley.

Mrs Mansley is chairman of Haslewey, the new community centre which is due to be completed by next spring, and a former chairman of Haslemere Twinning Association.

A former chairman of the local Community Health Council, Mrs Mansley also held a number of top committee posts, many of them involved with planning issues including the Special Interest Group involved in plans for Milford Hospital.

Having given up much of her time as a councillor, attending "endless evening meetings which often run on until very late", Mrs Mansley said it was "time to move over".

Another ex-Waverley borough councillor and former Haslemere Town Mayor who is also hoping not to seek re-election next time round is Ted Orchard.

"I am hoping not to stand but willing to do so should it become necessary," said Mr Orchard.

Mr Orchard was a Waverley councillor for Shottermill for 12 years from 1978 and served on a number of committees.

He has also served as a town councillor for 20 or more years.