HASLEMERE mayoress Melanie Odell, who has previously twice served as town mayor, is busy breaking new records.

Melanie was recently appointed the first female president of Haslemere Museum after a ground-breaking move when she became its first female chairman in 2011. She has served as chairman from 2011-2018.

The main office holders on the museum’s board of trustees have just been announced and Alan Perry is the new chairman. It is a post he also held from 2005-2011, so he will bring much valuable knowledge to the task.

Bernard Coe has become president emeritus, having held the role of president from 2005-2018.

He also has the accolade of previously holding the roles of chairman and president.

The governance of the museum has necessarily changed a great deal over the last 20 years.

The museum has increased its professionalism and is better equipped to tackle the challenges of the future.

Haslemere is an accredited museum with Arts Council England and has won numerous awards over the last few years, including the Family Friendly Museum Award, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and the Sandford Award.

Marking the beginning of a new chapter, Alan said: “Taking up the reins of the chairmanship at Haslemere Educational Museum is both a daunting and inspiring job.

“With the community of the museum, the board of trustees, our new president and president emeritus, the curator, staff and volunteers, we have an ambitious and hardworking team.

“Having just passed the institution’s 130th anniversary of serving the local community, we are all determined to set it on course for at least the next 130 years.”

Supporters are invited to attend a fundraising St David’s dinner at The Georgian Hotel on Friday, March 1 - See Page 22.

* Following its action-packed half-term programme, the museum has laid on some Easter holiday “must sees”, including discovering more about the Egyptians and a festive arts and crafts session. To find out more, visit haslemeremuseum.co.uk.