I originally came from a small village, Beddau, near Pontypridd, S. Wales, leaving there to join the army, I served in Germany, Oman, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland and of course the UK.

On leaving the forces I joined a small independent retail company as a trainee manager and helped develop and grow the business into a successful blue chip company, eventually being promoted to Associate Director Store Operations responsible for the day to day running of nearly 300 stores and 3000 staff.

During these busy career years my wife and I moved to Hindhead and our family have enjoyed living in the area for the last 35 years. Both my children attended local state schools.

After many successful years in multi site retailing I decided to run my own business within the Haslemere community, where I have traded for the last 17 years.

I am currently Chair of Governors at Shottermill lnfants School and Vice Chair of Haslemere Border Athletic Club both of which I am both very proud to be linked with and have been for many years.

In 2007 I was asked to stand for Town and Borough Council, to represent Critchmere and Shottermill. Needless to say I was extremely pleased to represent the ward in which I run my business.

I have now served 4 years as Town and Borough Councillor with responsibilities for planning, community and corporate services. I also sit on a number of other groups and committees. My main aim is to ensure problems experienced by local residents are given full consideration and solutions found where possible. I will continue to strive for value for taxpayers hard earned money.

For 2011 I have been elected Town Mayor and it is my honour to represent this wonderful self motivated Town of which I am very proud to be part of, Haslemere is very fortunate to have a large number of volunteers who help make this a wonderful place to live and work.

It is going to be an exciting year, with the long awaited Hindhead tunnel being completed, which hopefully will alleviate the traffic problems and no longer will it be known as the area where there are traffic lights but recognised once again as an area of outstanding natural beauty.

My main charity this year is the Melanie Braysher Trust, this is a local charity and is in much need of funding, we have to try help these seriously ill children stay mobile as much as possible, to help them retain their freedom and independence. I am also forming a Charity committee, which will also raise funds for small local charitable organisations to call upon should they have an urgent need to be assisted in anyway.

Should residents have any questions at all please contact me at Haslemere Town Hall.