ROMSEY has a new mayor and he is putting diversity at the heart of his historic term in office.

Cllr Russell Theron is the new Romsey Town Mayor, taking over from John Parker at the Mayor Making ceremony at the town hall on Wednesday, May 13.

Councillors voted unanimously for Cllr Theron's appointment and he becomes the town's first openly gay mayor.

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Romsey Town Mayor Russell Theron with Cllr John Parker (Image: Charles Elliman)

In his speech, Mayor Theron said: "What is my theme going to be for my mayoral year [...] could it be about one of my passions? Not Kylie Minogue on 'full blast'.

"My mayoral year is going to celebrate diversity. These days, it's easy to turn inward, to stick to what we know, to stay in our comfort zones, but the truth is our strength as a community comes from looking outward.

"From connecting with people whose stories, backgrounds and experiences are different from our own. But diversity is not just something we check off a list, it's what makes our town vibrant, creative and full of life.

"When we take the time to listen to each other and celebrate what makes each of us unique, we all grow - that's the kind of community I believe in."

Cllr Sandra Gidley, who proposed his appointment, said: "I asked Russell what three words he thinks sum him up. He came up with 'kind', 'considerate' and 'cook'.

"In fact, 'kind' was the first word I thought of, as I’ve seen him tell people to 'be kind' if he thinks people are being unreasonable.

"Thus quality, along with his genuine enthusiasm and energy, makes him a very human human."

Mayor Theron will be joined by his husband, Chris, who will be his consort. They met whilst studying at Bournemouth University.

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Cllr Colin Burgess was also appointed Romsey Town Deputy Mayor. A Christian Buddhist originally from Glasgow, he detests intolerance and will work with Mayor Theron to promote diversity.

He also noted how important it was for younger people, like the new mayor, to get involved in local politics. He said: "'Oooh, a young mayor [...] Joking aside, it's a reminder to all of us that we need lots more young blood in our councils."

Dignitaries and other guests were invited from across the Test Valley and beyond to attend the ceremony, whose music was provided by pupils from The Mountbatten School and The Romsey School.

Cllr Geoff Cooper, who attended the town's Mayor Making in 1991 when his father, Cllr Mark Cooper, became mayor for the first time, said: "We do things properly in Romsey."