Tell us a bit about your background.
I’ve proudly lived in Hungerford for over thirty-six years and have strong family roots in the area (I spent my childhood in Great Bedwyn). My father was born in Hungerford so I’ve I have always felt a deep connection to the town.
I began my career at sixteen as an apprentice at Roberta Hair Salon, gaining valuable experience in customer care. I later moved into a customer service role, progressing to a Sales and Marketing Assistant position within another local business where I developed strong communication and organisational skills.
After taking time out to raise my family as a full-time mum, I returned to work at Montagues Hair Salon on the High Street. During this time, I also supported my mum in caring for my late father through a long-term illness, strengthening my resilience, empathy and commitment to supporting others.
What first made you want to decide to become a town councillor and when did this happen?
I’d always wanted to get involved with Hungerford Town Council, a commitment that grew even stronger following West Berkshire Council’s proposal to close eight of the nine libraries in the district in 2016. This highlighted to me the importance of local representation and community advocacy. The libraries were eventually saved and I’m proud of whatever rold I played in that.
I had many thoughtful discussions with my late father about the changes we felt were needed and his encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue this path.
How did the experience of being a councillor match with your expectations?
Initially, I was unsure of the impact I could make and felt outside my comfort zone. The council was filled with people who appeared to have far more experience than I did, which was initially quite daunting. However, I soon realised that this difference was, in fact, my strength. No other councillor shared my background or perspective and that uniqueness allowed me to bring a fresh and valuable viewpoint to discussions.
I came to understand that my contributions mattered because they reflected a different stage of life and experience. Although I wasn’t used to debating or challenging others’ views, I developed these skills. With encouragement and support from friends and like-minded members of the community, I grew in confidence and found my voice, enabling me to actively contribute and represent the interests of others.
What first made you want to decide to become the mayor and when did this happen?
I have always felt that I had strong leadership skills. As I became more comfortable within Hungerford Town Council, my confidence grew. Attending a variety of community events as Deputy Mayor gave me the chance to meet more residents, listen to their views, and really understand what matters most to the town. These experiences helped me feel ready to take on more responsibility.
At first, I had only planned to stand for a yearn but realised I still had more to offer. There wasn’t a single moment that changed my mind. It was more the ongoing encouragement and positive feedback from the community that made the difference. Knowing that people supported me and believed in what I was doing gave me the confidence to continue and step forward.
How did the experience of being the mayor match with your expectations?
It completely exceeded my expectations. I was genuinely touched by how warmly the community welcomed me into the role and, from the outset, how supportive people were. At the same time, I hadn’t fully appreciated just how significant and wide-ranging the responsibility would be – it quickly became clear what an important position it is within the town.
On a personal level, the role has given me far more than I anticipated. As a full-time homemaker with grown-up children, I’d reached a point where I wanted to understand what I could contribute outside of the family. The world had moved on and I felt it was time for me to reconnect and find my place within it again.
What I have learned is that, more than anything, people value someone who is warm, approachable, willing to listen, can genuinely represent the town’s views, speaks up on their behalf and helps champion positive change.
The Mayor of Hungerford is unique in West Berkshire: in the other two towns (Newbury and Thatcham) the mayor is largely ceremonial and there’s also a leader of the council who, amongst other things, chairs the meeting. In Hungerford, these two roles are combined. How did this dual function work for you?
I’ve always felt local government should be less about politics and more about people. At a community level, the focus should be on understanding local needs, listening to residents and encouraging genuine engagement across the town. It can sometimes be difficult for me to separate the idea of “politics” from local service, as my experience has always been rooted in practical community work rather than party-driven agendas.
Because of this, I find the question quite hard to answer: I do not really know any different. In many ways, the two roles are closely linked, but I do feel that politics can sometimes create barriers where there should instead be collaboration and openness.
For me, what matters most is serving the community in the best way possible, working together, listening carefully, and taking action where needed. That includes campaigning on important issues, challenging decisions when necessary and also taking the time to celebrate the strengths and successes of the community as a whole.
How would you describe the work of HTC?
Varied; sometimes challenging; and essential to the smooth running of community life. We’re often the first point of contact for residents, whether they’re seeking advice, raising concerns or looking for support and we aim to be a clear and approachable voice for those who need it.
The Council is involved in a wide range of local services and responsibilities. This includes signposting residents to the right support, providing and managing allotments and maintaining the cemetery with care and respect. We also oversee local play areas, ensure Town Council-owned buildings are kept in good condition and take responsibility for important landmarks such as the War Memorial. It’s all a consultee – but not a decision-maker – in planning matters.
Alongside this, we support community events and local initiatives that help bring people together. All in all, its role touches so many aspects of everyday life in the town.
In eight years as mayor there were a lot of major issues you had to grapple with. Which were the main ones?.
The main challenges in recent years have been wide-ranging and often significant for the town. One of the most demanding periods was supporting the community through the pandemic, when so many residents were understandably affected by uncertainty and the sudden changes to daily life. The Town Council worked to provide reassurance, guidance and practical support wherever possible during this time.
Another major issue was responding to the closure of the local Post Office, working with partners and the community to explore potential solutions and minimise the impact on residents. Alongside this, the Council committed many years of work to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, a long-term project that has now been successfully adopted and will guide future growth in the town.
More recently, the Council also played a role in marking the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and supporting the period of national mourning. In addition, ongoing challenges such as planning applications, policing, crime, and vandalism continue to require attention and careful local response.
Of which of your achievements as Mayor are you most proud?
The way the community has come together in response to challenging situations, consistently showing resilience, support, and a strong sense of local pride. It has been especially rewarding to see how residents, councillors, and partners work together when it matters most.
I’m also proud that we now have a fully adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan. The creation of the skate park and pump track stands out as a fantastic achievement for young people and families in the area, offering high-quality spaces for recreation and community activity. The recent Freedom of the Town for REME is one I will hold as a standout favourite event.
It is also encouraging to see Hungerford benefiting from strong working relationships with key partners, helping to deliver better outcomes for residents. The Town Council is currently in a very strong position, supported by a dedicated and capable team who continue to adapt, respond to challenges and build on the work already achieved.
And which issue caused the most problems?
That’s quite a difficult question to answer, for a number of reasons. Change often challenges people because, as humans, we are naturally creatures of habit. Any form of change can feel unsettling, whether that is due to financial pressures, differing opinions, or simply uncertainty about what the future may bring.
In a community setting, these challenges are often more visible, as decisions can affect people in different ways and sometimes lead to disagreement. However, I have found that if you remain grounded in your values and stay true to your moral compass, it’s usually possible to navigate change in a constructive way.
Even when change is not easy, approaching it with honesty, respect and consistency helps to build trust and understanding. In my experience, when those principles are kept at the centre of decision-making, things generally work out in a positive and balanced way in the end.
However, if you want a one-word answer, it might well be “pigeons”…
Any regrets, such as things you wished to could have accomplished but were unable to?
After eight years, I’m pretty happy with what HTC has achieved.
If you could change one thing to make local government work better, what would it be?
Allowing remote access to meetings, so that barriers are lifted for those who are disabled, or main caregivers for children and elderly family members.
What advice would you give your successor?
Jerry doesn’t need any advice from me – he’s more than capable. If I had to say anything it would be listen to the room before deciding on a course of action and don’t take “no” for an answer (he doesn’t…)..
Finally, imagine if you can that I’m Lauren Laverne and this is Desert Island Discs. What would be your one must-have piece of music? [please provide title and artist]
Now we are Free by Hans Zimmer.
And your book?
Verity by Colleen Hoover.
And – not an option she offers – your film or TV series?
Can I have one of each?
Go on, then…
The series would be Bridgerton or Downton Abbey. The film would be Mamma Mia.
You managed to slip three in there: need to check with Lauren…yup, that’s fine. And finally, your luxury item?
A comfortable pair of shoes.
