Councillors

Jeremy Walden - Mayor

TOWN WARD

36 Shand Park
Axminster
EX13 5NG

01297 32180

My name is Jeremy (Jerry) Walden, and I am currently Axminster Town Mayor. I have lived in the town for 35 years, and have been a councillor for about 20 years. I am also Chairman of the Amenities and Pippins committees on the Town Council.

I was born in North London, but grew up in Leicestershire, where my parents were public house managers. I went to school in Loughborough and then on to the University of Surrey to study Hotel & Catering Administration. After university, I worked for Trusthouse Forte Hotels Ltd, eventually managing hotels in Royal Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Shaftesbury.

In 1982, my family and I came to Axminster and ran The New Commercial Inn for 17 years (where River Cottage Canteen now is). I now run my own small food manufacturing business in town, and live in Shand Park with my nuclear powered Jack Russell 'Frodo'. My daughter, Charlotte lives with her partner Marc in Ipswich.

I am also Chair of the Local Governance Committee at Axe Valley Academy, and am on the steering groups for the Neighbourhood Plan and the new Skate Park. Until recently I also volunteered at the Axminster Job Club.

Having spent more than half my life here, Axminster is definitely my 'home' and I love its people and the strong sense of community that runs through the entire town. My only aim in my council work is to make the town better for its current and future residents.

As you can see from the above, I live a fairly full life and have little spare time, but I do enjoy going out on a Saturday night, having a few drinks and chatting to people to listen to what they have to say.

If you want to get in touch with me, please do so. Contact details are on this website.

Gelf Alderson

TOWN WARD

61 The Cricketers
Axminster
EX13 5RQ

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Content and photograph coming soon.

Tony Bourner

TOWN WARD

29 Stewart Court
Millwey Rise
Axminster EX13 5HS

01297 631940/ 07881 611328

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I am known as Tony, the only one who ever called me Anthony was my Mum when I was really bad, which was quite often.

I wanted to become a councillor because I love Axminster, and they are the most friendly people I have ever met. I returned to Devon 7 years ago, after many years away, and chose to live in this beautiful town. Now I really hope to give something back to the place I am happy to call home.

I have been self employed most of my working life, My last business was a Corporate Hospitality Company, mainly operating in Formula 1 but also covering a number of other sports and events. I ran this business for about 14 years.

I have been a volunteer in a local charity shop for a couple of years to keep myself occupied in retirement. I also spent 5 years as Chair of a residents association in Portsmouth, which gave me a good insight into local authorities. I also dealt with them through most of my working life, so am well aware of the way they work.

I am intelligent, articulate and an able speaker in all situations and hope to represent the people of the town to the best of my ability. My particular areas of interest are economics, affordable / social housing and education, as well as green issues and the environment. I will be happy to receive complaints, ideas or information from the people of the town to help me make a difference.

Martin Mynard

TOWN WARD

20 Cridlake
Axminster
EX13 5BT

07548 515499

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I have lived in and around Axminster all my 48 years and have seen many changes some good and some not so. I was educated at the local primary and secondary modern schools as they were then and both schools demonstrated what can be achieved to a high standard.

I have worked in the rail industry and, for the last 20 plus years, I have had the good fortune to work for one of Axminster’s most successful employers.

When the opportunity arose to stand for council, it was too good an opportunity to miss. It is a chance to give something back and improve for the future, learning along the way. Those that have served the town so well through their hard work, many hours unpaid and by some, unappreciated required some new blood to carry on the good work and move the town forward. I feel that Axminster is unique in that is the last big town on the Eastern edge of Devon and tends to be forgotten by those at the centre so we have to do that bit more for ourselves.

I am currently the secretary of the local Lions Club and have organised an annual coach excursion for the last two years to raise money for the club and to give an evening out for residents of the town and neighbouring towns of Colyton and Seaton. We have a proud tradition of serving the people of Axminster and believe that sitting on the council is another avenue where I can make a contribution. There is always strength when we all pull together for the common good.

Anni Young - Deputy Mayor

TOWN WARD

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My name is Anni Young. I was elected as a Town Councillor in 2015. I moved to Axminster, from London, in 1998 with my husband, Matt. It has been very easy to settle in to life here. Axminster is a very friendly and welcoming town.

Matt and I enjoy films, eating out and enjoying the scenery of Devon.

I feel very honoured to serve Axminster as a Councillor and look forward to helping shape the future of this rapidly expanding town and trying to help residents with their concerns wherever I can.

Sue Clarke

WEYCROFT WARD

01297 599503

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Sue moved back to the area after many years of employment in North Somerset. She now works at a local animal sanctuary. Having made Axminster her home, Sue was honoured to be elected as a Town Councillor in May 2017 representing the Weycroft ward.

With fond memories of Axminster as a thriving livestock and market town, Sue is strongly committed to ensuring that the town retains its character at the same time as developing a thriving economy while major residential expansion takes place.

Carol Doherty

TOWN WARD

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Carol moved to Devon in 1998 from London with her partner, Mark. Carol and Mark married in the Minster Church and held their reception at the George Hotel!

Carol decided to stand for Town Council as she wanted to get more involved in the town. Carol feels there is a lot to be achieved in planning the future of Axminster and looks forward to playing her part.

Paul Hayward

TOWN WARD

07934 430413

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My name is Paul Hayward and I was first elected onto the Council in 2011, and then re-elected in 2015. I was born in Slough, Berkshire but moved to Axminster with my family in 2007. I am the Parish Clerk to four local parish councils - All Saints, Chardstock and Newton Poppleford in Devon and Tatworth & Forton in Somerset.

My interests are films, books, travel, politics and current affairs. I am married with two grown-up daughters and, as of November 2016, a Granddaughter as well!

I believe that Axminster is a town with a fantastic historical heritage; a wonderful, warm, charitable community which is faced with some hard choices about the direction in which the town will grow in the future. I welcome debate with all sections of the community and encourage all to get involved, get talking and, above all else, enjoy life, and where you live.

Douglas Hull

TOWN WARD

27 Fosseway Close
Axminster
EX13 5LW

01297 33522

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Douglas Hull was born at Lambert's Castle at his Grandmother's Farm. From a early age, his Mother made sure that both his sister and Douglas were involved in the community . He obtained experience with Hawkchurch Youth Club, Village Hall and Parish Council.

From there his attention turned to the Rural District Council which he was duly elected, and he won the by-election with 87% of the village voting for him.

Later he was elected to Devon County Council (DCC); Douglas believes that his last term on DCC, when he became Vice Chairman, was one of the most rewarding times of his career as a councillor. Leaving DCC, he was made a Honorary Alderman of the County.

The Hulls broke new ground when Joy, Douglas's wife, became the first Lady Mayor. Douglas has had 3 terms as Mayor of Axminster, notably changing the name of Kilmington Road to Trafalgar Way and re-instating the post of Town Crier. He was also instrumental in the idea of the North/South by-pass and acquiring the money to purchase the Heritage Centre.

The money that he claimed for Councils enabled the setting up of a Dyslexia Committee, and it was spent on children in the Axe Valley with Dyslexia. This is a cause close to Douglas, as he suffers from dyslexia himself. His epitaph from an Old School Teacher is; "Douglas does all right things for all the wrong reasons".

Sara Leat

TOWN WARD

5 Morton Way
Axminster

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My name is Sara and I have lived and worked in Axminster for over 15 years. I have two children, both still at school so youth matters are very important to me and it is looking at the future for my children that made me stand for council.

My hobbies include amateur dramatics and I am the secretary of the Axminster Drama Club.

I have lots of experience in the financial sector having worked in finance and banking for over 20 years and knowledge and experience has been proved beneficial to the various committees I am involved in.

David Moore

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

07894 213973

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Content coming soon.

Lara Rowe

WEYCROFT WARD

Higher Uphay Bungalow
Membury Road
Axminster
EX13 7LG

07968 092723

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Lara lives in Axminster in a dairy farm with her husband and 2 children. She works at a local firm of accountants and helps on her family farm.

She was co-opted onto Axminster town council in July 2015.

The reason Lara stood for council is that, having lived in Axminster all her life, she is passionate about its future. With the rapid expansion of the town Lara wanted to be involved with the shaping of it.

Having 2 secondary school aged children, Lara also wanted to be a voice on the council for the youth provisions in the town. She currently volunteers at Axminster new Youth Club and is a member of the Axe Valley PTFA.

Lara’s spare time is largely taken up with her son’s football matches and her daughter’s pony club activities, but when she does get some spare time she enjoys meeting up with friends and eating out.

Aimee Seward

TOWN WARD

48 Dukes Way
Axminster
Devon
EX13 5QP

07376 601794

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My name is Aimee and I was delighted to have been co-opted on to Axminster Town Council in August 2017. I am very much enjoying bring a Town Councillor and I am looking forward to making a valuable contribution to this fantastic expanding town within my role.

I was born and bought up locally. My parents were also both born in the area and ran a successful business in Axminster for 20 years. I attended University in Birmingham and studied Nursing. I have lived in Axminster many years now after returning from a period of working as a Nurse onboard cruise ships and a period of nursing with Devon and Cornwall Police in their custody suite. I currently work as a Clinical Lead Nurse in Axminster. I am passionate about my role in providing professional, dedicated care for residents who are unable to live independently within the community.

I have a dog, Beau, who I very much enjoy walking/exploring with in my spare time. I also enjoy travelling particularly on cruise ships.

I am very passionate about the town and am willing to get involved in all local issues. I take a keen interest in the local area, activities, events and traditions. I am involved in the Amenities and Cemetery Committees on the Town Council. I am also part of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Axe Valley Ring and Ride outside Committees.

I successfully fronted a campaign in Autumn 2016 to ensure the jubilee field was not closed to dog owners & dogs! I believe we live in an area of outstanding natural beauty and I am committed to maintaining a nice, safe, clean environment for us all to enjoy.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you feel I can be of any assistance to you. I am happy to try and help with anything that I can, and welcome anyone getting in touch.

Sue Spiller

WEYCROFT WARD

2 York Close
Axminster
EX13 5DJ

01297 32260

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Although I was not born in Devon my parents and I moved to Axminster when I was a young teenager, I felt at home from the first day I arrived. I attended Colyton Grammar School followed by what was then known as Exeter Technical College. My husband is a local man, who was born and grew up in Axminster, and we are fortunate our two daughters live within a few miles of here.

I have been a Councillor on Axminster Town Council since the mid 1990’s when I was the successful candidate through co-option. I felt very privileged to become a member of the Town Council, and to subsequently serve as Deputy Mayor for a year and Mayor for two years covering the end of one century and the start of the next! Over the years I have served on a number of the Council Committees including Employment, Finance and Buildings, Planning, Cemetery, and I am currently the Chairman of the Cemetery Committee.

I love reading, especially about local history and genealogy. I also love singing and acting and in the past have spent many hours on the stage at the Guildhall, which is why I have a passion for that building and its place in our Town, and to that end I am the Vice Chairman of the Management Committee.

Brian Watson

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

Woodlands
Cooks Lane
Raymond’s Hill
Axminster
EX13 5SQ

01297 32060

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Brian Watson has lived in the area for 40 years, working as a teacher and raising a family.

Brian feels it has been an honour to serve on the Axminster Town Council since 2005, representing the Raymond’s Hill Ward. As well as serving on a number of Committees, Brian is the Chairman of Planning and Traffic Management.

Now retired, Brian has more time to spend on my varied and active leisure pursuits, such as cycling and swimming.