One of HRG's founder members Gill Zakss today received a well deserved recognition from her fellow councillors by being elected Mayor for 2008/9. Gill and a small but growing band of supporters helped to create HRG in the early 1990’s following many residents' fears over the course of retail planning applications in our town centre.
The group wanted to present an alternative view to the Conservative majorities at Town and District Councils on the Bell Street and Waitrose developments in the town. Gill and a number of HRG candidates were then elected to the Town Council in 1991 to form the majority group. Gill stood again in the 2003 election and was elected to a Henley North seat on both the District and Town Councils.

Taking over the Mayor's responsibility from HRG Leader Terry Buckett, Gill continued to promote her interests in many town activities. She is a trustee for the Thamesfield Youth Association and The Henley Day Centre. Gill has been chair of the HTC Best Value Committee for the past 5 years and has used this time in a very productive promotion of Henley's playgrounds and facilities for our children and young residents. This has resulted in new play equipment at Makins and Freemans recreation grounds.

Pictured in the Mayor's parlour following the Mayor Making are (from l to r): Richard Hodgkin (Deputy Mayor's escort), Cllr Liz Hodgkin (Deputy Mayor), Malcolm Dodds (Mayor's Escort), Cllr Gill Dodds (Mayor), Cllr Terry Buckett, MBE (retired Mayor), Pauline Buckett (retired Mayoress)

Gill said, "I am very much looking forward to my year in office and to meeting all the residents and groups that make up our exciting town. I know it will be a lot of work and after Terry it will be a hard act to follow, but I am sure that it will be enjoyable."

Elected as Gill's deputy Mayor was Elizabeth Hodgkin who has served as a HRG Councillor since 2003. Liz is chair of HTC Town Management Committee and is looking forward to helping Gill with her Mayoral role in the coming year. Liz has been the major player in the successes that the town has enjoyed in recent Britain in Bloom competitions.