A NEW Mayor of Test Valley has been elected at a ceremony held in Andover on Wednesday morning (May 18).

Cllr Alan Dowden, Liberal Democrat borough councillor for Valley Park, has been selected as the 2022-23 Mayor, taking over from Cllr Mark Cooper.

Cllr Dowden was proposed as Mayor by his wife, Cllr Celia Dowden. The motion was seconded by Cllr Martin Hatley, and unanimously voted on by members.

Cllr Celia Dowden told the meeting that Cllr Alan Dowden began life in the Welsh valleys, with his main interests being sport and mathematics.

He pursued a career in financial management and, in February 1998, the couple moved to North Baddesley.

“The rural space was our real incentive,” she said.

However, despite being assured by the council at the time that no development was planned for the area, it wasn’t long before the area now known as Knightwood had plans upon it.

Cllr Alan Dowden set up a residents action group, but soon “recognised influence comes from being part of decision making”.

In 1991, he was elected to both the parish and borough councils, and within eight months had also added the title of county councillor to his portfolio.

“The Welsh warrior surfaced.” said Cllr Celia Dowden.

Despite losing the battle to stop 1300-home development, Cllr Alan Dowden influenced many changes to the plans which have helped improve residents’ lives.

He has now served 31 years in local government, including 20 years as Parish chair.

His wife described him as a “popular and well-known” councillor, adding “people like someone who says what they wish to, but do not get the opportunity.”

She added: “He left those Welsh valleys and his journey has taken him onto a Valley borough council and in a Valley ward. I think they will all be singing in the valleys for him today.”

SEE ALSO: Test Valley named in the Sunday Times Best Place to Live list

Cllr Alan Dowden said he was “proud” to be elected.

Commenting on the year ahead, he said: “We are living in a time of change and change brings challenges. But change also gives us opportunities and we must make sure that we are proactive in recognising those opportunities and take full advantage of them so that residents, businesses and visitors can all benefit.

“It remains the responsibility of everybody in our community to take an interest in what is going on. For a view and make it known. They are so many different ways in which people are contributing really positively throughout our communities.

“We work together with honesty, integrity, professionalism, and a willingness to learn, understand and respect different perspectives.

“Over the past two years we have all been asked at times to stay away from those we love, to protect them. I hope my year as Mayor can be remembered as the time of bringing people back together, to enjoy and embrace the beautiful Test Valley which we are privileged to call home.”

Cllr Phil Lashbrook was then unanimously elected as deputy mayor, proposed by Cllr Carl Borg-Neal and seconded by Cllr Iris Andersen.

Cllr Borg-Neal told members that Cllr Lashbrook is a "quiet and calm" councillor of 21 years, born in Uganda, with a background in advertising, as well as science and technology.

Each year, the Mayor of Test Valley selects charities to support. Cllr Alan Dowden announced that youth organisations would be his recipients, due to the impacts of Covid on young people.

Namely, Yellow Brick Road, Kids on Track, and those supporting young carers, will be those he raises funds and awareness for this year.

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