“SUPPORTING the borough’s most vulnerable”.

That is the number one goal of new Test Valley mayor, Karen Hamilton.

The councillor donned her robes and chains for the first time on Wednesday 11 May at an official mayor-making ceremony in Andover Guildhall.

The mother of three, who is a partial wheelchair user and suffers from the condition fibromyalgia, says she will make the borough’s most vulnerable
citizens her first priority in her year-long term.

“Supporting the vulnerable will be my biggest goal,” she told the Advertiser.

“The four charities Enham Trust, Andover VIP’s, Romsey Young Carers and Test Valley Community Services, are all very close to my heart.

“I have a spinal disability which means that I have to use a wheelchair for long distances, so supporting others with disabilities means a lot to me.

“I also want to help people reach their potential.

“I left school with no qualifications, but I have always worked hard to get to where I am today.

“If you work hard in life you will get to where you want to be.”

Mrs Hamilton, who grew up and was schooled in Test Valley, has had a year to prepare for the role, having served as deputy to the outgoing mayor, Cllr Iris Andersen. 

The 49-year-old also has a wealth of experience in public events, having previously held a role as a community champion for Barclays Bank.

She is currently the head of the Pride of Andover Awards and has chaired the mayor’s charity appeal for the last six years – an experience which
she says persuaded her to take on the role.

She said: “When I first became a councillor seven years ago becoming mayor wasn’t something I thought about.

“But the position with the charity appeal showed me what the role was all about.

“My parents always said “one day girl, you will be mayor” and I always thought that it would never happen, but now it has.

“I’m a very happy lady.”

Mrs Hamilton will be aided in her role by husband Lee Brown, who will act as her official consort, and councillor Carl Borg-Neal, who has been elected as her deputy.

Talking about her network of support, which includes her predecessor and longtime friend, Cllr Andersen, she said: “Iris has been a fantastic mentor and a brilliant mayor.

“We have shared a friendship bond since I was a child, so I could not have asked for a better partnership within this role.

“I would also like to thank all of the councillors and the community for their support and for electing me as mayor.”

Councillor Hamilton’s first official duty as mayor will be today with a picnic for the Queen’s birthday at St Michael’s Church.