Eastleigh elects New Mayor

Winchester born Derek Pretty is the borough’s new Mayor.

Elected to the Borough Council’s Hedge End Grange Park Ward in 2002 he has been a member of Hedge End Parish and Town Councils since 1990.

Currently Derek is Chairman of the Parish Council’s Recreation and Amenities Committee, and is also a member of the Drummond Community Centre.

Educated at Peter Symonds Grammar School, Winchester, he subsequently trained for a career as a Building Surveyor.  He has worked in the construction industry since 1974.

Derek married Sue in 1970 and lived in Eastleigh before moving to Hedge End in 1980.  They had two sons.  Sadly Sue died in 1998 after a long battle against cancer.

Derek continued his work with Hedge End Town Council where he met the Mayoress Cynthia Garton.  They have been together since 2000 and are still both Town Councillors.

Admitting to be a couch potato Derek enjoys watching most sport particularly motor sport, cricket and football

This year the Mayor has chosen to support Friends of Countess Mountbatten Hospice, West End providing care for people with cancer and Vitalise, Waterside House, Netley Abbey who provide affordable and essential breaks for disabled people and their carers.

Mayor Derek Pretty and Mayoress Mrs Cynthia Garton