Councillors

Anni Young - Mayor

TOWN WARD

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.

David Moore - Deputy Mayor

WEYCROFT WARD

07894 213973

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My name is Dave Moore and I was born and have in lived in Axminster all my life.

I co-run Yarty Party Festival in Axminster, trying to involve the surrounding local community whilst rising money for local charities.

I had wanted to be involved with ATC for some time but due to work commitments this was not possible. However with a change of career and my subsequent employment at Musbury garage I was able to apply for a position on the council. I was successfully co-opted on in 2017.

My initial motivation was that I feel a younger opinion needed to be represented whilst hoping to encourage more young people to participate in council business.

I am also very keen that the much needed development of Axminster is executed in a progressive but sympathetic manner. To ensure that future generations look kindly on our efforts.

Matt Adamson-Drage

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

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Content coming soon.

Tony Bourner

WEYCROFT 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.

Carol Doherty

TOWN WARD

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Jill Farrow

TOWN WARD

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I moved to Axminster in September 2018 with my partner Mary. The sign by the Minster "The Home of Community Spirit" says it all. The welcome we have received has been heart warming. Serving on the Town Council is a privilege, and I hope to put my 30+ years’ experience in the Civil Service to good use.

Mike Featherstone

WEYCROFT WARD

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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.

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.

Andrea Sedgewick

TOWN WARD

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Martin Spurway

TOWN WARD

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Jeremy Walden

TOWN WARD

36 Shand Park
Axminster
EX13 5NG

01297 32180

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My name is Jeremy (Jerry) Walden, and I have lived in the town for 35 years, and have been a councillor for about 20 years. 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.

Philip Wales

TOWN WARD

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I was co-opted to Axminster Town Council in June 2019.

I have worked in various industries including Car Importing, my own businesses, the Red Cross, NHS Ambulance service and Housing Management for the elderly. I am married and my wife and I have 8 grandchildren between us and a great granddaughter on the way. Now I’m retired I think that I can serve the community and will listen to the residents’ concerns and will work for all.