“I just want to thank everybody in the town for the work they do for the community and wish them all a merry Christmas and a happy new year!”

That’s the Christmas message from Mayor of Farnham David Attfield as he reaches the halfway point of his mayoral year.

David’s year as mayor will come to an end in May 2019, but it is not the first time he has taken the role.

He previously stood as mayor in 2006/7 and has been a member of Farnham Town Council for 15 years.

He told the Herald the first six months had “disappeared”, adding:“It is absolutely unbelievable how quickly time flies.

“I was so pleased to be out among the residents and the charities and organisations – to be able to go back and visit those people and see what’s going on in the town again.

“I was very proud to be asked to do it for a second time.

“It’s a wonderful experience to be out there among the people and see what’s going on.”

Mr Attfield was born in Badshot Lea and has always lived and worked “reasonably locally”.

He said: “I’m very proud of Farnham and it’s the best place in the world as far as I’m concerned.”

As mayor, David attends a number of events throughout the year and, so far, highlights have included Music in the Meadow sessions, Farnham in Bloom and Farnham Christmas Market.

“I’m proud the town council is able to facilitate the events and encourage others to take part and bring footfall to the town,” Mr Attfield told the Herald.

The town’s Remembrance service, which marked 100 years since the end of World War One and was attended by hundreds of people, was another stand-out event, as was the children’s service.

He said both services were “absolutely phenomenal” and was “proud to be there representing Farnham”.

Christmas is a “very, very busy” time for the mayor as he heads off to festivities across the area.

“It’s lovely to be out there among the people helping them to celebrate this Christmas,” David added.

When asked what challenges faced Farnham in the coming six months, he said: “There are a lot of people who are not happy about the developments within the town.

“But we’ve got to get over that – we’ve got to get to the point where we accept these developments are happening, will be completed and working together in the future to overcome the obstacles they’re going to cause and try to integrate the old and the new part of the town.”

He added the developments would impact on traffic around the town, and that “local councillors will need to be on their toes to try to resolve any conflict, if you like, between contractors and local residents”.

Mr Attfield continued: “We’ve also got the issue of pedestrianisation throughout the town.

“We need to seriously look at that and see how that can be implemented – it would be nice to have a pedestrian scheme.”

David is looking forward to “continuing to represent the community until the end of my term” and will continue to fundraise for his mayoral charity, Garner’s Goes Bananas, which is raising money for Garner’s Field.

The eight-acre activity centre has been used by Scout groups, youth organisations and Duke of Edinburgh Award parties since the mid-1970s, but now requires extending and upgrading to meet demand.

The mayor said “Fundraising is going well and I will be over the moon with whatever I can raise.

“The main reason I took on the Garner’s Goes Bananas project was because I wanted to invest in something for the young children.

“I felt if I supported them, obviously I’d be able to raise some money, but I could also help to raise their profile.

“There are so many organisations looking for support, it’s very, very difficult to choose something.

“But I wanted something that was an investment rather than a contribution towards some running costs, or something like that.”

A fundraising charity concert is due to take place on Saturday, February 9, at 7.30pm. It will be held at Weydon School’s Medici Theatre and will feature the Farnham Taiko Club, the Friary Brass Band and the Rock Choir.

David told the Herald he was looking forward to what should be an “amazing evening”.

Tickets will be available at the beginning of January.

To find out more or to make a donation, go to garnersfield.uk.