Never say never - but Hungerford’s Helen Simpson says her eighth mayoral term will be her last

TOWN councillor Helen Simpson has been voted in as mayor of Hungerford for her eighth term - and she says it is her last.

Mrs Simpson posted on social media following a full town council meeting on Monday, May 6.

She said: “Just wanted to let you know, tonight I was voted in for my eighth (and last) term as Hungerford town mayor.

“Thank you for your continued confidence and support, Hungerford Town Council.”

Mrs Simpson was already the longest-serving mayor in the town’s history.

She first entered civic life when, in 2016, she was a driving force in Friends of Hungerford Library, which was launched in reaction to Government plans to axe the service.

For local history buffs, here is a list of Hungerford mayors, courtesy of the Hungerford Virtual Museum, from 1974 onwards:

1974-1975: W. J. Brady
1975-1978: J. A. Tarry
1978-1981: J. C. Williams
1981-1982: E. A. Whittaker
1982-1983: Lord E. Fermoy
1983-1984: C. R. Brown
1984-1985: H. A. G. Hassall
1985-1986: J. C. Hathway
1986-1987: R. F. Oliver
1987-1988: R. A. Tarry
1988-1990: Mrs I. Wells
1990-1991: J. C. Williams
1991-1992: J. A. North
1992-1993: P. B. Cable
1993-1994: J. C. Hathway
1994-1995: M. L. Morgan
1995-1996: Janette Kersey
1996-1997: Jean Hutchings
1997-1998: Paul Cable
1998-1999: Mansil Morgan
1999-2000: Jack Williams
2000-2001: Christine Jennings
2001-2002: Jean Hutchings
2002-2003: Janette Kersey
2003-2004: David Liddiard
2004-2005: Roger Ballard
2005-2006: Mansil Morgan
2006-2007: Gwyneth Bullock
2007-2009: Peter Harries
2009-2010: Elizabeth Cardwell
2010-2011: Anthony Buckwell
2011-2014: Martin Crane, OBE
2014-2015: Dennis Benneyworth
2015-2017: Martin Crane, OBE
2017-2018: Keith Knight
2018-present: Helen Simpson