John Ray appointed as new Romsey town mayor

Cllr John Ray was Mayor of Romsey in 2009 and will hold the office again, succeeding Cllr Neil Gwynne.

Cllr John Parker was appointed deputy mayor, at the ceremony in the town hall on Tuesday May 16.

Cllr Mark Cooper proposed Cllr Ray and said: “It is my pleasure to propose John Ray as town mayor of Romsey and chairman of the council for the ensuing year. We live in exciting times as Test Valley has enabled the Boundary Commission's recommendation to combine Romsey Town and Romsey Extra creating a much larger, more serviceable and sensible entity.

“John Ray was born in Romsey Hospital and attended Romsey School where he featured at the Thursday Night Mini-Discos put on by the Romsonian Youth Club where the young ladies on the dance floor would compete for John's attention.

READ MORE: Hampshire's Paultons Park home of Peppa Pig World marks 40 years

“He distinguished himself by playing basketball and football for Romsey. 

“John worked in London for a year and then in Australia for another year. He tells me that Romsey soon lured him back or was it all those young ladies? I suspect meeting Rose focused his mind and he settled down to his profession and has owned a hair salon in Romsey for nearly 40 years. 

“John has put in a huge number of hours, with others, organising and promoting the winter and summer carnivals.

“Who can forget John's Union Jack suit brightening up our damp and grey coronation day.

“On behalf of the townspeople I thank John and the carnival team for their selfless efforts to keep Romsey a great place in which to live and, more importantly, to enjoy.”

Cllr Ray, Romsey's 415th mayor, said: “I'm truly honoured and grateful to be the new town mayor. As councillors, we do all we can to stop major housing developments around the town. There is no need for the new Kings Chase development, it's one too many.”

The mayor's charities are: Jane Scarth House, Jenna Marie Foundation, George's Trust and Romsey Good Neighbours.