HAMPSHIRE County Council has said their goodbyes to retiring Lord- Lieutenant Dame Mary Fagan with a special reception in Winchester.

Dame Fagan, who officially stepped down as the county’s Lord-Lieutenant this month, was treated to a performance of ‘Beating Retreat’ by the Band of the Scots Guard in the city’s Great Hall.

The reception was hosted and attended by Hampshire County Council’s leader Roy Perry and many representatives of the charities that she supported during her 20 years of service.

Councillor Perry was disappointed to see Dame Fagan leave but was thankful for all of her work, adding: “Dame Mary has served Hampshire with charm, energy and a dedication to service, and an expression of goodwill rarely matched in public life.

“It is with some sadness for us that she is retiring, but Dame Mary will long be remembered and we wish her health and happiness for the future, together with her husband, Captain Christopher Fagan, to whom we extend our thanks.”

Councillor Perry also gifted Dame Fagan a ‘memories book’ from Hampshire County Council which contained more than 100 photographs of various visits and events she had attended.

The book also contained personal contributions from many of the 60 charities and organisations that she is either a president or patron of.

Dame Fagan then gave a final toast to Hampshire and all of its people before saying that it had been an enormous privilege for her and her husband Captain Christopher Fagan to have served for “20 fantastic years”.