ALTON has a new first lady - recently returned town councillor Pam Jones was propelled into the limelight on Thursday when she was officially elected Alton Town Mayor.
In proposing his former deputy to take over the reins, retiring town mayor John Smith described Mrs Jones as Òa woman of many parts - a true polymathÓ who enjoyed a wide range of interests.
Not only was she a mother and a teacher at Chawton Primary School, but she was an active member of Alton Methodist Church, of the Alton BoysÕ Brigade and of the National WomenÕs Register, an ex-president of the Alton Art Society and Òa scientist who happened to possess a photographic memoryÓ.
ÒNot only that but she manages to keep up to date with all the TV soaps, so being mayor should be a breeze,Ó said Mr Smith.
Seconded by Pam Bradford and unanimously elected, Mrs Jones, in acceptingthe nomination, vowed to do her best to live up to the expectations placed upon. ÒI have lived in Alton for 26 years and I love the place. I will do my best to represent you,Ó she said.
It was a promise which came as no surprise to three of Mrs Jones pupils who, following a secret ballot at school, were there to support their favourite teacher on her big day.
According to chair of the school council, Jessica Blogg (11), Stephanie Dickson (9) and Callum Dean (10), Mrs Jones might be strict but she was clever, always had an answer for everything and was good fun.
Chair of board of governors Rosie Blogg paid tribute to Mrs Jones for the way in which she involved the pupils in town affairs. ÒI am sure they have a far better idea about what is going on within the local community and about the workings of local government than most children of their age,Ó she said.
In thanking John Smith for his term of office, Mrs Jones presented him with a leather wallet and a Beech sapling, and his wife Chris with a bouquet of flowers. They also received badges to commemorate their term of office.
Mrs Jones named husband, Dr John Jones as her consort, Methodist Minister Revd Jean Simmonds as her chaplain, and NCH Action for Children as her charity for the year.
Colleague Roger Fitzer was elected Deputy Town Mayor, following a proposal by John Smith who described him as an Òoutstanding councillorÓ who had performed excellent service over the past four years, not least as chairman of the planning and transportation committee.
The new leader of the council is David Willoughby. He was proposed by Dave Crocker who, having been in office for the past two years, believed Mr Willoughby had Òthe background, skill and breadth of understandingÓ to take on what was Òan onerous taskÓ.
In accepting the office, Mr Willoughby paid tribute to his predecessor for his Òexcellent leadershipÓ. Mr Crocker would, he pointed out, be Òa hard act to follow.Ó
John Smith was voted in as deputy leader.