THE WIDOWER of former Mayor and beloved Kempshott councillor of 25 years Anne Court says he is looking forward to continuing the work she did in the community.

Richard Court was announced this afternoon (May 9) as one of three successful Conservative candidates in the Kempshott and Buckskin ward, and gained the highest number of votes in the area - outpolling both cabinet member Hayley Eachus and fellow new candidate Aji Peter. 

He told the Gazette that while he’s a new councillor he is not a new face to the community, having supported his wife Anne in her numerous duties over the years. 

“The torch she carried for the community, I wanted to carry on,” said Richard.

“Kempshott needed continuity, and I know Buckskin well as both Anne and I were trustees of the village hall. So I’m looking forward to it.”

Richard also runs the Kempshott Kourier community magazine and says he hopes to extend it to involve Buckskin too. 

He says the community and the people will be at the heart of what he does as a local representative.

“It’s not always the party, it’s the people,” he said, adding:  “We are talking about a community, and we will have some fun.”

Cllr Anne Court sadly passed away in November 2020. 

She was described as a "dedicated public servant" by the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Ken Rhatigan.

He added: "Anne was a dedicated public servant of Kempshott for over 25 years, much respected in the local community as a true champion for Kempshott and Basingstoke.”