Local councillors mark anniversary of 1974 meeting

By Connor Steel

FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL have held a special meeting this week to formally acknowledge ‘fifty years’ since the town was declared as having ‘Borough status’; this event being held on Tuesday evening as part of a series of planned celebrations involving councillors, local organisations, services, and residents throughout the “Golden Aniversary” year.

The first ever Council meeting was held at 11am on April 9, 1974 and involved a range of ceremonial traditions centred around the Mayor; who was presented with the official “Charter of Incorporation of the Borough” by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. He was further presented with the Civic Mace which is still used in present day for ceremonial purposes.

Councillors posed for their photographs within the Civic Offices’ chamber after the meeting; which looked at the historic moments that have paid a massive part in the area’s history over the last fifty years. This includes Baroness Thatcher’s visit, the completion of Fareham Shopping Centre, the decommission of HMS Daedalus, and the many council leaders.

They further looked ahead to a series of exciting steps forward across this area such as the coming launch of Fareham Live and development of the town centre. Once completed they then moved out to West Street, and posed for a ‘group’ photograph underneath special 50th Anniversary flags; which have been raised to complement activities later this year.

New “Live Love Local” lampost banners are soon to be unveiled to help support Fareham district centres and there is a range of community events are due to be announced for various dates in 2024. Most updates on these occassions can be seen via this Fareham Borough Council link where readers can further explore details on how they can get involved.

PICTURED BY FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: Councillors in Chamber during a special meeting to mark 50th year.