An accountant who has become one of the newest town councillors in Wiltshire says she hopes to create a better place for young children.
While the country has been busy electing a new Prime Minister this month, candidates for Marlborough town councillor have been battling it out for votes.
On Monday, July 29, Abi Beaumont was selected as Marlborough's newest town councillor and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office before attending her first planning meeting on the same day.
Abi is not Marlborough born and bred, having grown up for most of her childhood in Swindon, but moved to the town in 2007 with her husband when their children were still young.
The mother of three now works as an accountant and told the Gazette and Herald she is excited to take on the role of town councillor and hopes to try and increase the town's offering for other families with small children.
"It was suggested to me that being a councillor was something I might be good at as I am quite a community-spirited busybody," said Cllr Beaumont.
"I had originally thought it was something I would do after retirement but a position came available and I thought since my older girls have left home to study elsewhere and I just have my son at home from next year that I would have enough time to combine it with my work.
"My Dad is a town councillor in Somerset too so I had an idea of what was involved."
Despite having been involved in local groups such as the NCT, parent-teacher associations and sports clubs, Abi has found Marlborough to generally be a place orientated around older people - and hopes that's something she can change.
"I would really like to be able to influence the growth of the town to be a better place for young families and young people," she added.
"It feels like Marlborough is getting older day by day and there is much less for the young people, not least that they cannot easily afford to live here anyway.
"I would like to push for improvements in the leisure centre and sports facilities, improvements in traffic problems, and protection of our river."
But when asked what her favourite thing about Marlborough was she replied: "The lovely High Street.
"Especially on a bustling Saturday morning and on a quiet Sunday evening and when it really comes alive during the annual Mop Fairs.
"I also love that we are so close to beautiful countryside."
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