Jill Farrow - Mayor

TOWN WARD

07773 098146.

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I moved here from Croydon with my partner Mary in
2018.  We had fallen in love with Devon whilst holidaying with our dogs,
but finding Axminster was pure chance.  We quickly realised that the sign
on Minster Green “The Home of Community Spirit” said it all. 

At the 2019 Annual Parish Meeting the forthcoming local elections were discussed, and I decided to stand, secure in the knowledge that as a newcomer I’d never be elected. In the event not enough candidates stood so I was elected unopposed! Serving on the Town Council gave me the opportunity to use the skills I’d learned as a career Civil Servant, though the some of the vocabulary was different.

Within two months of joining the Council I was lucky enough to be part of the team visiting our twin town of Douvres la Delivrande in Normandy to mark the 75^th anniversary of D Day. Both of my late parents served in the armed forces during the war, and my father remained in the RAF until retirement, so the celebration on Juno Beach was hugely poignant.

When COVID hit in 2020 one of the first people we knew to become unwell was David Moore, the Deputy Mayor, and he had to stand down. Anni Young, the Mayor, proposed that I replace him; we had worked together on a few projects by then and she thought we would make a good team. Which we did, not always agreeing but always being able to support each other and doing our best for the rest of the team and the town. Then in December Anni passed away suddenly in her sleep. I became acting Chair until the next full Council meeting when I was elected Mayor.

It continues to be an enormous honour to serve this community.

Angela Huskisson

WEYCROFT WARD

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I have lived in the SW since escaping from London in 1984 to live ‘The Good Life’. 

We lived in South Petherton for 33 years, grew 3 children (all now flown) and then moved to beautiful Chardstock in 2017.

I am a retired teacher who once specialised in English/Drama and Special Needs and have taught all ages with love.
I have now slowly morphed into a yoga teacher and Literary Editor for an online magazine.

Since the pandemic I have worked closely with Axminster Food Bank.
I have always held a huge interest in politics, both big and small, where I sincerely believe that we can move mountains
for the good of all and where we are always so much stronger together.

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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I have lived in Axminster for fifteen years, moving here from London.
Having completed my schooling in Axminster, I went on to become a fourth generation letter-carver with a keen interest in conservation.
I am currently the managing partner of A. W. Brooker & Son splitting my time between Axminster and London.

I was co-opted into the council in 2021 and look forward to working closely with the people of Axminster and Raymond's Hill, as well as,
giving something back to the town and improving it, so Axminster is on the map for all the right reasons.

Sarah Birnie

RAYMOND'S HILL WARD

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Andrea Sedgewick - Deputy Mayor

TOWN WARD

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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.

Kara Burrough

TOWN WARD

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Andrew Bourne

WEYCROFT WARD

We moved to Axminster in December 2015 not knowing a great deal about the town and surrounding area; it just had a nice feel about it and suited our needs at the time. Since then we have got to know the area and people much more and feel very settled here.

Before retiring I spent the vast majority of my working life in the automotive industry, working for a number of manufacturers in aftersales and logistics roles.

My spare time is taken up with motorcycling, walking, yoga, cycling, gardening and teaching my grandson to drive through the Under 17 Car Club. Motorcycling is a great passion of mine and I have been a member of IAM Roadsmart, the main promoter of road safety in the country, for many years. Currently I am a member of the Somerset Advanced Motorcyclists group where I am Club Secretary. I have also qualified as an observer which allows me to coach other motorcyclists to develop their skills to also achieve an advanced level of riding. Walking the many public rights of way in the area is something we both enjoy immensely and have discovered some fabulous routes.

There is a lovely sense of community in Axminster and I hope that, together with my fellow councillors, I can help to make the town thrive.

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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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.

Martin Spurway

TOWN WARD

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Content coming soon.

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.