I am born and bred in Beccles and served the community in business for 43 years when I retired and became a Town Councillor in 1999. I was given the honour of being Mayor in 2002 and my aim then and now is to see the town grow and prosper, keeping its heritage intact and unspoilt. Beccles is a lovely market town in which to live and I will endeavour to keep it that way.

I have had over 35 years of experience as a Councillor both at town and district level.
Originating from Beccles I have always lived in or within ten miles of the town for over 50 years. My special interests are planning, ( I am currently Chairman of the Planning Committee), and photography. Some of my work is shown on the Beccles Town Website. I am also, for the first time, Deputy Mayor for 2008/2009.

I have lived in Beccles all my life and feel I am still an active community member in Beccles, even though I am semi-retired. I have been a member of the Town Council for almost 14 years serving on a number of committees and working parties.

I have had the honour of being Mayor twice and although I am currently Deputy Mayor (which will end on 20th May), I have already served the town in this capacity four times. I am a
member of the Friends of Beccles Hospital and a Governor of St Benet’s Primary School and am a founder member of The Beccles Initiative.

I have lived and worked in Beccles for most of my life spending the last 16 years at M & H Plastics. I am a keen animal lover and an active conservationist. I care passionately about my home town of Beccles and think it is a lovely place to live and work but that we get a raw deal from Waveney District Council.

I will do all I can for Beccles and its residents.

I first came to Beccles in 1980 as manager of Lloyds Bank in Exchange Square and currently I am one of four councillors representing Common Ward Council and am Chairman of the Finance and Assets and Environment Working parties.

I moved away to a senior position in Cambridgeshire in 1989 and upon retiring, returned to the town when I served on the Council for a term. I am married and have two married sons.

I have resided in this ward since I was 18 months old, I have lived in Rigbourne Hill, Merrylees, Duke St and for the past 33 years I have lived at 32 Coney Hill. I went to school at Peddars Lane, Crowfoot and the Beccles Middle School.

I have also worked in Beccles for the past 45 years, I have worked at Beccles Printers Ltd 7 years, William Clowes Ltd 35 years and Keely Print Ltd 3 years.

I am not politically motivated in any way, I find I agree and disagree with both main political parties on different issues. I do not believe that there is any room for party politics on Beccles Council.

I shall do my best to represent the views of Beccles people and particularly those of the Rigbourne Ward. I will support my fellow Councillors in the fight to make the voice of Beccles listened to and respected more by our District and County Councils.

A Benedictine monk of Downside Abbey in Somerset, I am now a Roman Catholic Parish Priest at St Benet’s, Beccles, a Downside parish. I was a former Headmaster of Downside School with a keen interest in education. I came to Beccles in 2003.

Originally trained as a Chartered Accountant and taught History and Theology.

Married to Stephen, I have one son Daniel aged 11 at Beccles Middle School, and a daughter, Chelsea aged 9 at St Benet’s RCVA Primary. I have worked at Quayside Conservatories in Beccles for 15 years. I have lived in Beccles since I was 9 years old and attended Beccles Middle School and Sir John Leman High.

Since becoming a Councillor I have joined various working parties attached to the council in order to make life in Beccles more enjoyable for all. These include the new pool and leisure complex, the common, grants and leisure. I am the council representative for 2nd Beccles Scout, Cub and Beaver groups. I attended the Army
Cadet Force Annual Inspection this year and wish to promote youth associations and youth provision in Beccles.

I came to Beccles in 1962 to work for Wm Clowes, following my printing apprenticeship in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. My wife Judy and I married in 1963 and have four sons.
When I retired in 2005 my work colleagues asked, ‘was I going to move back to Northumberland?’ My answer is the same now as it was then. My life and friends are here in Beccles and Beccles has been good to us as a family, why change it.

I am now reaching the end of my first year on Beccles Town Council. It has been an interesting and busy time, having served on several committees on top of the fortnightly planning full council meetings. My hope is to continue to work for Beccles and gain more experience in the rest of my term of office.