IT'S all change at East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), with Alton councillor Pam Bradford ending a year as chairman last Wednesday. Ms Bradford, pictured, was praised by her colleagues for the "sense of humour and grace" she brought to the role. "I'm not sure how you get a whole year into a small space," she said at Penns Place. "It has been a privilege to represent East Hampshire throughout the district  and its surrounding areas. I have learnt an awful lot about a different tier and layer of government. "And I have been to a lot of places that only people like me can, such as the Hindhead Tunnel. I've even looked into a helicopter at RAF Odiham." "Every year, a few things happen that are unique to that year and that chairman, and I've had a couple of one-offs. "I was invited to The Square in Petersfield for the Scouts centenary celebrations, and was delighted as in another life I had an association with scouts. "Then I went to Butser for a sunrise ceremony, and that won't happen again; well, not for another 100 years! "And there was the Muslim convention at Kingsley, where I was told 'when his holiness arrives, will you welcome him'. He is the equivalent of The Pope, so that was a bit scary," she said. "The other one was Remembrance Sunday, where I was asked to host the troops on their return from Afghanistan." Highlighting the council's chain of office, which is black – and not coloured along party political lines – Ms Bradford added: "Everywhere I've been this badge has been admired. "People have said 'isn't that wonderful', 'isn't it beautiful' and 'what does it represent?' Ours is unique." While visiting a school a youth had remarked: "'ere miss, that's a good bit of bling you've got there." Alton's Tony Ludlow paid tribute to Ms Bradford: "In our first meeting, it took about five minutes for you to relax and suddenly you were in complete control. "You brought calm and reassurance and an insight of the needs of the staff and every organisation you have dealt with." Rowlands Castle Tory councillor Marjorie Harvey was elected as EHDC's new chairman, with Alton's John Smith replacing her as deputy chairman.  Mr Ludlow said: "We have a lot of talent in Alton. John has been an active politician and an active campaigner for many years."