THERE were queues of Basingstoke's great and good waiting to say farewell to departing borough chief executive Katrine Sporle at a special reception on Friday at the Civic Offices.
Mrs Sporle, 47, who has been chief council officer in Basingstoke and Deane for the last eight years, is leaving to take up an appointment in Bristol as chief planning officer for the Planning Inspectorate of England and Wales.
MP Andrew Hunter, business people, councillors, school heads, hospital chief executive Mark Davies and many others were present along with Basingstoke and Deane mayor Rita Burgess.
Mrs Sporle said: "This evening has been just one long, sad goodbye.
"It is absolutely fantastic to have so many friends around me from schools and businesses, the voluntary sector, the chamber of commerce and all the wonderful councillors."
She added: "I'm exhausted, but I shall miss the people of Basingstoke and wherever I go I shall tell them how proud I was to be chief executive of Basingstoke and Deane."
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