AN ENJOYABLE year of hard work is how Councillor Gerry Traynor has characterised the last 13 months that he has spent as Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

The South Ham Labour councillor's term of office was due to end last Thursday at the formal mayor-making ceremony for his nominated successor, Conservative councillor Gwen Richardson.

Cllr Traynor and his wife Janet have had 13 months of representing the borough, instead of the usual 12, because the local government elections were held a month later than usual so they could be combined with the European elections.

Sitting in the mayor's parlour, Cllr Traynor told The Gazette: "I've had a happy year and enjoyed meeting so many people, even if it is quite hard going at times, with so many commitments.

"What has utterly amazed me is the number of volunteers working in different organisations throughout the borough. I just didn't realise how many people do work that they don't get paid for."

Cllr Traynor said one of the highlights of his year was the parade three weeks ago of personnel from RAF Odiham who were exercising their Freedom of the Borough.

Other highlights included trips to Basingstoke's twin towns of Euskirchen in Germany and Alenon in France, a Buckingham Palace garden party that he attended, and meeting the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal.

Cllr Traynor said: "I'm no royalist, but I found Princess Anne a down-to-earth person who is very relaxed once the press are absent.

"The other thing which has surprised me greatly is the amount of respect for the office of mayor from teenagers.

"When I started as mayor I said I would try to be inclusive and I think I have been. The only group I have not had contact with is the Muslim community, but not for want of trying. I think I must have been to every church there is."

He said that throughout his year he has been supported by his wife Janet, the mayoress, with whom he will celebrate 50 years of marriage in October.

At the outset of his mayoral year, there was a question as to whether Cllr Traynor would have to exercise his casting vote in closely-fought council meetings. But, in the end, he only had to use it once to determine the chairmanship of a committee. He said his experience as a trade union official also meant he had no worries about chairing the often-fiery monthly meetings of the entire council.

He added: "I have used my sense of humour and got through the year without too many argie-bargies."

Indeed, mayoral administrator Margaret Payne said she recently took a telephone call from someone complaining there were too many photographs in The Gazette of the mayor "looking as if he's enjoying himself".