A Northern boy has done good as a long-standing councillor has been elected mayor of Petersfield for the second time.

Cllr Jamie Matthews name-checked his late grandparents after taking the mayoral chains from Cllr Chris Paige during a poignant Petersfield Town Council meeting on Thursday (May 28).

The councillor has lived in Petersfield for around 40 years but was aged seven and “living up north” when he first visited in 1977 to see his grandparents.

And he believes both would have been incredibly proud to see him back in the mayor’s chair some nine years after his previous stint at the head of the PTC table.

He said: “The position of mayor in Petersfield dates back a very long time.

“The wall behind me has got some of the more recent holders of that title and it’s a very special honour to be there and commemorated as mayor.

“My grandparents would have been incredibly proud. They would never imagine that after that first visit nearly 50 years ago I would be in this seat for the second time.”

Cllr Matthews also thanked his “very tolerant” wife Melissa for allowing him to attend “many, many, many” council meetings and the man he replaces as mayor.

He said: “I think Cllr Paige has worked exceptionally hard and has carried out his role professionally, diligently and with good grace.

“I do hope you take the opportunity in the future to be mayor again but thank you for your commitment.”

Cllr Paige cut a relaxed figure after his year in office, handing bouquets to his wife, Rebecca, and PTC committees administrator, Angela Tull, for helping with mayoral duties.

His proposal to make Cllr Matthews mayor was seconded by Cllr Lesley Farrow, with Cllr Mary Vincent seconding Jamie’s proposal to make Anne Stephenson his deputy.