THE new Haslemere mayor has high hopes for a busy and productive 12 months ahead. Deputy mayor Michael Dover was elected to take over the chain of office from Jean Arrick at Haslemere Town Council's annual meeting last Thursday. Mrs Arrick nominated Mr Dover as her successor and praised his enthusiasm. She told the meeting that the new mayor would work hard to take Haslemere forward. "We will have a leader who will take us to new heights," she said. Her proposal was unanimously agreed and Mr Dover accepted his new role with a promise to work to improve opportunities for young people in Haslemere. He said that the two charities he will be supporting this year are Haslemere Age Concern and The Prince's Trust. "I intend to work in partnership with schools, local businesses and The Prince's Trust - an organisation which has a splendid record of real achievement in helping young people to discover their potential and get started in life," he said. "As a team, my councillor colleagues and I will sweat every asset the town council owns - and many others that it doesn't - to ensure that the community gets maximum value for money. "As a town council, every idea that will help us achieve our objectives, wherever it comes from, will be welcomed and given the credit it deserves. "I recognise that for me this will be a once-in-a- lifetime privilege and I'm immensely honoured to represent our town." Mr Dover said that he was planning a host of fundraising community events over the next year, starting with a sponsored walk on the Greensand way on bank holiday Monday. A charity ball is also in the pipeline in September and plans are also afoot for a hot-air balloon festival and a vintage car rally. "The emphasis will be on fun and hopefully over the year we can raise a significant sum for each charity," the new mayor said. "If we're successful, we'll be able to pay for 50 Haslemere youngsters to go on The Prince's Trust's 12-week team programme and help them to plan their futures, and in many cases, change their lives." Mr Dover also paid tribute to the work and efforts of Mrs Arrick over the past year. "I'll consider myself fortunate if I'm even half as successful as she's been in representing the community, supporting all those volunteers who contribute towards making Haslemere such a special place and working tirelessly to ensure the town gets its fair share of borough and county council funding to sustain its infrastructure, amenities and heritage." Last week, councillors also agreed to elect former mayor Brian Howard as Mr Dover's deputy.
