HALSTEAD’s mayor says she will be “sad but honoured" when she steps down from the role next week.

Jackie Pell, 77, will complete her duties as the town’s civic leader on Monday when her current mayoral term ends.

The same day, a new mayor will be voted in by Halstead Town Council.

Mrs Pell has served in the position for three separate terms, from 1990 to 1993, 2005 to 2006, and 2022 to 2024.

Halstead Gazette: Getting stuck in - an older photo of Mayor Jackie Pell celebrating a centenary eventGetting stuck in - an older photo of Mayor Jackie Pell celebrating a centenary event (Image: Mayor Jackie Pell)

The determined councillor made a name for herself and was elected as mayor for the first time in 1990.

She can still recall the feeling.

She said: “It was such an honour and a privilege. It was awe-inspiring and I was energetic - in those days, I was going to events every day.

“I’ve still got that fire. I could carry on for donkeys’ years.”

Over Jackie's 42 consecutive years as a councillor and three terms as mayor, there have been too many personal highlights to list all of them

Halstead Gazette: Important - Mayor Jackie Pell at an event in memory of Queen Elizabeth the second after she died in 2022Important - Mayor Jackie Pell at an event in memory of Queen Elizabeth the second after she died in 2022 (Image: Mayor Jackie Pell)

They include visiting Buckingham Palace twice for garden parties, and welcoming the Duke of Gloucester to the town last year.

She also attended Essex University as guest of honour with Stacey Solomon.

One of Mrs Pell’s biggest achievements was the opening of the swimming pool at Halstead Leisure Centre as she had “tried to get one for years” and finally achieved her goal.

As she prepares to step down, she said: “It makes you feel sad, but you know you can’t hold on to things forever, and someone else has to have a fair turn.

“There is always the future to think about.

Halstead Gazette: Event - Mayor Pell at the King's Coronation last yearEvent - Mayor Pell at the King's Coronation last year (Image: Mayor Jackie Pell)

Halstead Gazette: Fun - Mayor Pell at the Braintree District Council Volunteer Awards in 2022Fun - Mayor Pell at the Braintree District Council Volunteer Awards in 2022 (Image: Mayor Jackie Pell)

“I have been ill, and I missed several things like Remembrance Sunday, the torchlight procession, the Christmas lights switch-on. I had worked on them all and was looking forward to attending them.

“It’s not about me, it’s a reflection of all the people you meet and help.

"All the events we’ve put on through the council are for the Halstead people.”

Asked if she has any advice for her successor, Mrs Pell said: “My philosophy is to be yourself.

“I’ve had no choice to just be myself as I’ve grown up here, so I would say just to be yourself.”

Halstead Gazette: Royal - Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, visiting the Courtauld Homes of Rest Almshouses in Halstead last year with Mayor Pell in the middleRoyal - Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, visiting the Courtauld Homes of Rest Almshouses in Halstead last year with Mayor Pell in the middle (Image: N/A)

Halstead Gazette: Recent - Halstead Town CouncilRecent - Halstead Town Council (Image: Tony Sale Photography)

Even after battling cancer in recent years, the veteran councillor has remained dedicated to the cause and is also extremely thankful.

She said: “I have been in Halstead all my life and I am committed to the people in this town.

“A lot of the residents I know, and it shows how much they care for me from the amount of cards and wishes I got when I was in the hospital - I don’t forget it.

“I want to thank my husband for the support he gives me, my family, the people of Halstead and my fellow councillors for accepting me the way they have.”

Mrs Pell will continue as a councillor after her mayoral term ends and says she will continue to work towards getting Halstead a community centre.