Councillors – North Ward

Daniel James

I have lived in Freshwater since 1999, having married in to a local family, and we have raised our son here. I am a partner in the town planning consultancy Plan Research, working on developments for housing, small business and education in my day job.

Some years ago I organised a collection of bicycles for export to Africa at the old ambulance stationin Queens Road, and have been an active community volunteer ever since.

Committees

  • Planning
  • Finance
  • Skate Park/MUGA
  • Staffing
  • Community Resilience (Including Yarmouth Harbour Wall)

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners Advisory Committee
  • United Charities Trust

Email  |  Register of Interests

Brenda Hobbs

Born very young in Hertfordshire.

I am a widow with a son and a daughter and two grandchildren. I moved to Island with my husband in 1963 and have lived in Wellow, Ryde, Newport, and since 1975, Freshwater.

Freshwater Parish Councillor since 1987.  Philosophy being I live in the Parish, love the area, and therefore wish to be involved in all aspects affecting Freshwater.

Currently serve on Golden Hill and United Charities. West Wight Sports Centre supporter – swimming from Brambles onwards to the building of the West Wight Pool and involvement in development of the West Wight Sports Centre. Founder member of Friends of Freshwater Library. Founder member of the now closed Freshwater Community Initiative.

Committees

  • Planning
  • Finance
  • Skate Park and MUGA
  • Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Harbour Sea Defences)

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co

Email   |   Register of Interests

Emma Cox

I moved to the Isle of Wight in December 2013, having been a visitor since 1986.

I have been predominantly a ‘stay at home’ mum, due to having children with medical issues.  I enjoy reading, swimming and gardening.

I believe that the way forward is to develop our local communities and protect and conserve our social structures.

Feel free to approach me in the village if you would like to discuss any local issues.

Committees

  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Staffing
  • Land Management

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils

Email | Register of Interest

 

Councillors – South Ward

Cllr Anne Bamford

Studied at two colleges in London between 1971-1976. I became a teacher and taught English, drama and music in 11-18 secondary schools in London, Hertfordshire, Dudley and Stafford until moving to the Isle of Wight in June 1998. I worked in a couple of high schools before settling down at Lake Middle School, where I spent the last 11 years teaching KS3. With the closure of middle schools I took early retirement after teaching for 35 years.

With my interest in the local community I became a Freshwater Parish Councillor in May 2014. My interests are reading, music, theatre, films and pottering around in my garden.

Committees

  • Planning
  • Finance
  • Allotments
  • Skate Park and MUGA
  • Library

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils
  • Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co.

Email   |   Register of Interests

Carol Bray

I was born at Norton and have lived in Freshwater all my life, except for two short periods when I  was desperate to get back home. I lived all my childhood in the Red Lion Inn and attended All Saints Primary School and WWSM followed by a secretarial course at IW Technical College. Tony and I married in 1973 and have three children. I had twelve years as Secretary of the Memorial Hall and I then worked with Tony in our family business making furniture, until we retired.

I am very committed to our primary  school and I have been a governor there for three years. I want to see our local children be the best they can be. When not walking around the village you will find me bowling, as it is a great sport.

Committees

  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Library
  • Land Management
  • Allotments
  • Skate Park and MUGA

Email   |  Register of Interests

John Medland

I was first elected to the Parish Council in 2005 and variously on and off since.  In 2013 I was elected as ward councillor to the Isle of Wight councillor for ‘Freshwater South’.  When not a parish councillor I attended meetings as ward councillor and previously was involved with the Parish Council as Secretary of the Freshwater Village Association and Secretary of the IW Association of Local Councils.

From 1999 to 2009 I was the editor/manager of the West Wight Beacon magazine and have a lively interest in local history, having published 5 books on local history and acted as a lecturer on local history at the IW College.  My career prior to the Beacon was in organising international volunteer programmes with UNA Wales and UNESCO.  I am married with two children educated at St Saviours primary and Christ the King secondary schools.  My family first moved to the West Wight from Parkhurst in 1970.   I am currently the Chairman of the IWC Planning Committee.

Committees

  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Allotments
  • Boat Park

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Freshwater & Total Memorial Bungalows

Email | Register of Interests

Natalie Thomas

I have lived on the island since 2013 and immediately fell in love with Freshwater, realising the Island was the perfect place to raise my beautiful young daughter. Up until Mid 2020, I worked in and around care, and I am experienced in a wide all types of care, from mental health to the Elderly.

I am an Ambassador for WAVE and the 70/30 campaign, which focuses primarily on prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Committees

  • Finance – Vice Chair
  • Planning
  • Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defence)

Other Committees/Organisations

  • United Charities Trust

EmailRegister of Interests

Dr Brian Hinton MBE

I am a widely published author, from poetry to the Isle of Wight Rock Festivals to the 19C Freshwater Circle. I wrote the section on Culture in the newly published Isle of Wight Book and am executive chairman at Dimbola, having helped save the house from demolition.

My aims as a councillor are saving our local heritage, and enhancing facilities for local people.

Committees

  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Library

Other Committees/Organisations

  • Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Co

Email  | Register of Interests

Gill Kennett MBE – Chair

I have been fortunate to have lived in Freshwater most of my life, my father having been born here.  I have been a Parish Councillor in Freshwater since 2000 and very much enjoy being part of this community.  My background is that I worked for the NHS on the Island for 38 years as a nurse and a midwife and retired in 2016.  This has given me a bit more time to spend working with the Parish Council, being part of several community groups and generally enjoying living here.

Committees

  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Land Management
  • Boat Park

Email | Register of Interests

Dominic Hicklin

After a career ranging from charities to crewing tall ships to finance  I started writing software to escape the cramped streets of London.

Having come here on Holiday as a child and nearly every weekend to see friends after University I fell in love with the place and moved here; moving to Freshwater 17 years ago.  I spent time in other parts of the Island, staying with friends, but I always gravitated back to the open spaces and the warm welcome of the West Wight.

As a Parish Councillor I am hoping to represent the views of the community I live in and help them be heard.

Committees

  • Planning – Chair
  • Finance
  • Skate Park and MUGA
  • Events

Email | Statement of Interests

Councillors – Freshwater & Colwell Ward

Chris Jarman

Commitees

  • Finance – Chair
  • Planning
  • Events
  • Staffing

    Email | Register of Interests

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