I am pleased that the Town Council has chosen me to be Mayor for the next town year. Yateley has been my home since 1971 and I have been a Town Councillor for the last 5 years, during which time I have observed my predecessors at close hand. It will be hard to match up to their high standards but I will certainly do my best.

Yateley has so much to recommend it. We enjoy plenty of open spaces and almost all of us are within a short walk of open countryside. We have a vast array of organisations within the town that allow us to enjoy all sorts of activities in the company of other residents. One of our greatest assets is the army of people who help organise and run all of these functions. This is particularly pleasing when adults give up their time to provide activities for our youngsters. On summer evenings, groups can be seen playing cricket and football, usually with adult helpers. One occasion when dedicated leaders are clearly in evidence is our annual service and ceremony of Remembrance at the War memorial by Church End. It is heartening to see so many young people, mostly in uniform, in their groups ranging from cubs and brownies up to air and army cadets.

A major objective for the Town Council is to ensure that the town is maintained to the highest standard and is improved whenever we are able to do so. Two projects have been set in motion with this in mind. First, we have succeeded in obtaining funding for a new play area in the Monteagle area which should be completed during the next year. Second, we are to embark on a major refurbishment of the Darby Green Centre to bring this important facility up to date.

During my year as Mayor I look forward to meeting many of the people who help make our town such a good place to live.