In some towns, not many people know who their mayor is but it is not the case in Petersfield.

Councillor JC Crissey was town mayor from May 2023 to September this year. He was re-elected in June to stay on in the role, until Councillor Lesley Farrow was back to full health.

Cllr Crissey spoke to The Post about his time as town mayor of Petersfield, following the handover at the last full town council meeting. He began by highlighting the causes he selected for the town mayor’s charities.

“In my first year I chose the Air Cadets and Dementia Friendly Petersfield,” Cllr Crissey said.

“They are extremely close to my heart, because my father died from dementia complications. But then for the first time ever, a town mayor supported the musical festival.”

The former mayor went on to describe his love for classical music and how important the festival is for youth involvement. Cllr Crissey also supported The King’s Arms, following in his predecessor’s footsteps and because his own children were part of it.

He is also quite proud of helping develop the council’s climate strategy alongside his colleagues.

Adding: “The leadership on the climate strategy that we deliver, I believe that it is the most comprehensive for a town parish in the country.

“Where we are at now and as a town and parish. What's within our legal remit, what we have in our control, I think it's pretty good and it's a benchmark.”

His other highlights include working with the town’s litter picking organisations, the Petersfield in Bloom Awards, promoting the Petersfield Traders Association and more.

Ending the interview, Cllr Crissey said Petersfield is about “the people” and that he will continue to be an active presence around town supporting the new mayor, the council and local groups.