Cllr Peter Hall to be next deputy mayor of Christchurch

Cllr Peter Hall, the Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Christchurch Town Centre, has been elected to serve as the deputy mayor of the ancient borough for 2011/12 and then as mayor in 2012/13.

Cllr Hall, who is now 71, was born and brought up in Mudeford, attending Mudeford Infants and Junior Schools before going to Christchurch Secondary Modern School (now Twynham School).

After leaving school he served a five-year apprenticeship in toolmaking with Vickers Armstrong Ltd (later British Aircraft Corporation) at Hurn Airport. After a few years toolmaking he transferred to the design office as a draughtsman and worked on a number of aircraft, including Concorde.

After 14 years he left to take a contract with Israel Aircraft Industries as senior design draughtsman, designing various parts for the reconfigured Mirage,then worked in Amsterdam on the European Airbus.

On returning to the UK, having decided on a career change, he did a degree course in Design & Technology at King Alfred’s College, Winchester leading to a B.Ed. degree and then taught design and technology in secondary education in Bournemouth before retiring.

He is a keen sportsman, having played football for Mudeford Football Club for many years, as well as playing tennis and cricket. He is a member of Christchurch Sailing Club and it was through his interest in sailing that he met his wife Sally. They married in 1962 and have three children.

Before being elected to the Borough Council in 1995 in the Portfield ward he was chairman of the Christchurch Citizen’s Association. He is also chairman of Christchurch Commoners Association, responsible for the management and husbandry of nearly 100 acres of local land. In 1997 he was elected to Dorset County Council.

Cllr Hall said: “I would like to thank all the members of the Council for their cross-party support, which I find rather overwhelming. I feel it is a great honour and privilege to be the deputy mayor elect. I will work to the best of my ability to serve the residents of our ancient borough.”