A NEW Haslemere town mayor took office last week when Stephen Mulliner took over the role from Brian Howard. Mr Mulliner, who was previously the town's mayor in 2002/2003, told a meeting of Haslemere Town Council it was a "very special privilege to come back again". He went on to describe Mr Howard as a "larger than life mayor" and presented him with a magnum of Champagne to thank him for his hard work during his time in office. Mr Mulliner said his previous experience of being mayor for a year had opened his eyes "to what is happening and who is doing what" in the town. He also said the council would work to represent the entire town regardless of who they voted for in the town council elections, or if they had not voted at all. Mr Mulliner said during his year as mayor he would be supporting the League of Friends of Haslemere Hospital and the charity Community Action Nepal. He said: "It's an unusual year with an unprecedented set of opportunities and challenges and I look forward to doing all I can to make the most of them". He went on to say, he felt outgoing deputy mayor Barbara Jeffers, who lost her seat on the town council in the recent elections, would have made "an excellent mayor had the fates been with her". Mr Mulliner told Mrs Jeffers she had "a lot of friends on this council" and that was held in "genuine affection". Mrs Jeffers, who was deputy mayor last year, attended the meeting and paid tribute to Brian Howard's energy and ability to "not always opt for the conventional choice". She said during her 12 years on the town council she had seen progress on many projects and said she hoped the council would contact the workers building the A3 Hindhead tunnel to let them know they were welcome in the town. She then presented Mr Howard with two biscuits in the shape of pigs as another present to mark the end of his second time as town mayor. Mr Howard said he had "really enjoyed" his year as mayor and thanked the Haslemere Town Council staff for all their hard work and support. At the meeting William King was also elected as deputy mayor and told councillors he was looking forward to "working with the mayor and all the councillors with all the energy I can muster".