Ayr councillor goes on college course to learn how to serve public

Oct 10 2008 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

WHEN John Hampton reached retirement age, he went into overdrive.

Sitting around the house wasn’t for this likeable big chap with a simple view on life.

So he enrolled in a college course teaching the public how to be councillors.

And eighteen months after winning his first election, his head’s still in a spin.

“I didn’t even know which party I was,” admits jovial John, who originally hails from Derbyshire.

“But I’ve always had the view that politics is for the people and we should never forget that.

“Sometimes as politicians we’re guilty of making ourselves seem boring but the bottom line is we’re people just like everyone else.”

John became the first Conservative candidate to represent the ward of North Ayr when he was voted in last year.

And the 67-year-old is the council’s official Youth Champion – a title he relishes.

“One of the main projects I’m involved with is getting kids out on the golf course,” explained John.

“I think it’s key that we channel their energies into positive activities and this is where I believe we can make a difference for the future.

“We get the kids out on a range of courses in South Ayrshire and they can then earn six month season tickets to the courses.

“It keeps them off the streets and is all part of growing up to become responsible members of society.”

Community support officers help put John’s vision into practice with their hard work on the frontline.

But his focus on youth is only a fraction of his weekly workload.

What his Ayr College course failed to tell him was just how much time he would have to devote to the job.

But he’s loving every minute of it.

He laughed: “I think they said something like 28 hours per week, but it’s been far more than that.

“I sit on a range of panels and go to so many meetings that I don’t have any free time.

“It’s been way more hectic than I imagined it would, but I’m loving every minute.”

John added: “The people of North Ayr are great; they’re what the job is all about and they’ve made it really worthwhile for me.”