Jill Farrow - Mayor

TOWN WARD

07773 098146.

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Register of interests

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.

Casual Vacancy

WEYCROFT WARD

Following the resignation of Cllr. Ollie Tucker on 25th October 2021,
a Casual Vacancy has arisen.
As no petition was received for an election, the vacancy will be filled
by co-option as soon as possible.
If you wish to be considered, please contact the Deputy Clerk by
Monday 6th December at 5pm

Elizabeth Paice

TOWN WARD

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My name is Elizabeth.
I have lived in Axminster for three years.
I have two teenage daughters.
When the opportunity arose to join the council came up,
I wanted to offer the voice of a young mum with teenagers
to the Council's decisions and discussions .
I would like Axminster to change and grow for the better .

Sue Brooker

TOWN WARD

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I moved to Devon from London 17 years ago.
We set up home here in Axminster with my
husband and then 2 young children .
We felt Axminster had lots to offer and had a
friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

I have worked in a few local schools as a
Teaching Assistant and found that very rewarding.
I have been with my present school for over 11 years .

I have been elected to the council in 2021 for the
Town ward .

I look forward to getting involved with supporting the
residents in our lovely town .

Bernie Steadman

TOWN WARD

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I moved to Devon over thirty years ago and lived in
Chardstock until recently. I taught English very happily
at Axe Valley Community College for sixteen years
before taking the Vice Principal post at Clyst Vale
Community College. Many of my ex-students are
now parents raising their own families in Axminster.
It’s a delight to meet them around the town.

On retirement from teaching, I started writing crime
thrillers, and volunteered to be a trustee at Ferne Animal
Sanctuary, eventually becoming Chair of Trustees in 2018.
I decided to step down from the post in December 2020,
which has freed up more time to contribute to my local
community.

I’m hoping to bring my wide experience of education
and the arts to the council, and to help make Axminster
a vibrant, thriving town.

Alfie Brooker

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

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Content to follow shortly

Sarah Birnie

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

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Andrea Sedgewick - Deputy Mayor

TOWN WARD

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Register of interests

I have lived in Axminster for 3 years, moving here with my husband in his role as the Rector. I was co-opted to the Council in 2019 and I am pleased to be able to support the work of the Council as a Councillor for the Town Ward.

My background is in early years education for the under 5’s and services for their families – bringing together statutory, voluntary and community groups to ensure that everyone’s needs can be met and their life chances enhanced. I have worked in schools, in early years settings and most recently in a Local Authority – so hope to be able to bring this range of commitments and experiences to the role of Town Councillor.

Carol Doherty

TOWN WARD

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Register of interests

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.

Charles Hall

WEYCROFT WARD

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I have lived in Axminster all my of my life (at the ripe old age of 22) and wish to give something back to the community that has raised me and allowed me to succeed. You may recognise me from my five years employment with the Co-operative Food on South Street - I took pride in being part of a real 'community hub' that helped tackle the consequences of COVID.

Having graduated with a B.A. in Politics and International Relations from the University of Exeter, I now wish to apply my theoretical and empirical knowledge to the well-running of local governance. I have a particular interest in the ongoing provision and improvement of youth and mental-health services in the local area, and hold a concern and interest in what 'rural deprivation' means for young people.

Outside of Axminster Town Council, I work for Devon County Council in their Democratic Services and Scrutiny Secretariat, and am becoming actively involved in the local mental health charity 'ARC'. I also love a good film - my favourite being American Hustle.

Please do not hesitate to get hold of me. Let's have a chat, talk about what is concerning you and see if we can do something about it. Axminster is a great place, but let's make it greater.

Steve Holt

WEYCROFT WARD

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My wife and I moved to the Axminster area in 2010 and immediately felt at home in what we considered a fabulous community. Being semi-retired I got involved in numerous activities both in our local village area and the town itself. In 2013 I took on the role of treasurer for the Axminster hospital league of Friends and within about a year was leading the march to try to save the Axminster Hospital in-patient beds. I worked closely with many town, district and county councillors and have remained in contact since. Living to the north of Weycroft Bridge, in All Saints parish, I will be specifically supporting Weycroft Ward.

I run a small independent business consultancy supporting specifically small to medium sized businesses across a wide range of business disciplines. I hope to bring some of these skills to supporting Axminster in my role of Councillor.

I chair the All Saints Pantomime Society and I know many Axminster residents attend the performances on an annual basis.

Sara Leat

TOWN WARD

5 Morton Way
Axminster

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Register of interests

Martin Mynard

TOWN WARD

20 Cridlake
Axminster
EX13 5BT

07548 515499

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Register of interests

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.

Martin Spurway

TOWN WARD

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Register of interests

Content coming soon.

Jeremy Walden

TOWN WARD

36 Shand Park
Axminster
EX13 5NG

01297 32180

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Register of interests

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.