MID DORSET AND NORTH POOLE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS - Key Persons
Alex has lived and worked in Purbeck for most of her life, her children went to local schools. She and her husband Rob have a background in farming and gardening with a wide understanding of rural, local and conservation issues. She is a garden consultant. A former Dorset County Councillor, Alex originally became a local campaigner lobbying for road safety measures at Morden Park Corner and on the A35 from Lytchett Matravers to Bere Regis a fight which continues. She has been on the Morden Parish Council for nearly 20 years, most of them as chairman.
Andrew has lived in Upton for 33 years since moving from Bournemouth. Married to Wendy for 40 years, they have 2 children and grandchildren who have all attended or attending local schools. Andrew has eight years experience as a councillor or Purbeck District Council representing Upton West, including as the Natural Environment Spokesperson. A former telecommunications engineer, Andrew is a very active grandfather, frequently to be met at Upton Infant and Junior Schools' gates. Passionate about protecting and enhancing our local environment, treasurer and active member of the Keep Upton Tidy Group and a keen cyclist.
Beryl was born in Purbeck and raised her family here. She has been a ward Councillor for the area since 2014 in addition to being elected as a Wareham Town Councillor in 2019. As a Wareham resident, campaigner and volunteer she knows the area well. Beryl understands the concerns of our community and the challenges faced by local folk. The cuts imposed by the Conservative Government have reduced funding and caused hardship to all, especially vulnerable families. That is unacceptable. If elected, Beryl will fight for all the communities within the new Wareham Ward to ensure our area is a better place to live and thrive.
Chris is married to Mel with two daughters and lives in Canford Heath. Chris was a Canford Heath councillor from 2003 to 2015 returning in 2019, and has a long record of action for getting things done for local people.
Chris is passionate about lifelong learning and is a social science lecturer; his special interest is social care and affordable housing for our young people, two issues he feels are the most important in getting a good deal for Canford Heath residents. Chris and his border collie Beauty are a familiar sight walking around the Heath.
Clare moved to Canford Heath in 2006. She wasn't always political, but has always been a believer in open mindedness, policies based on evidence and a long-term approach. The Liberal Democrats was thus a natural choice and she has been a proud member since 2015.
Clare has spent her career so far in financial services. The unprecedented budget deficit that has arisen under the current Conservative leadership deeply concerns her. She has decided to stand for council this year because she wants to support Vikki Slade as part of a united team.
In work, Clare visits clients all over Dorset. She is used to listening and responding to people's concerns, often wading through bureaucracy to provide the clarity people need.
Clare regularly uses the local gym and is passionate about providing good facilities for local families. She has also recently learnt to crochet and has made items to raise money for Unicef's Ukraine Appeal and the Royal British Legion. She also regularly visits Canford Heath Library for cookbooks and Ashdown Sports Centre to work up an appetite.
David has lived in Bearwood and Merley for over 25 years and was first elected to represent the Merley & Bearwood ward in 2007 and was then re-elected in 2011 and 2015.
David is a graduate of Bournemouth University and following a successful career in the local Financial Services industry, he now dedicates his time to working for the local community through his involvement in many charity and community projects. He works voluntarily as a Trustee and Chairman of Kinson Community Centre, a Trustee and Vice Chairman of Bearwood Community Centre, and a committee member of Bearwood Social Club.
As an approved foster carer for Poole Council for many years David has fostered over 50 children and teenagers. He is also a member of the Dorset Police and Crime Panel overseeing the work of Dorset Police.
Janet is married and has lived in Colehill with her family for 42 years and has two sons who attended local state schools. She has been a member of Colehill Parish and East Dorset District Council since 1988 representing Colehill East Ward and has been the Dorset County Councillor for Colehill since 2005.
She has been on the Governing Body of four local schools and has served as a Non-Executive Director of Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust and South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust. Janet became Chairman of the Colehill Parish Council between 2003/5 and was the first woman to hold this position in the history of the Parish Council. Janet represented the Magistrates of Dorset on the Dorset Police Authority between 2001-2008 and has served as a Magistrate on the Dorset Bench since 1992.
Janet currently Chairs the Colehill and Stour Partners and Communities Together (PACT) Panel which assists in combatting crime in an area. Janet co-owned and ran an Employment Agency for sixteen years until 2001. Janet strongly supports the preservation of our Green Belt land here in Colehill.
Married to Sally, Marcus has lived in Merley for 18 years and his step-daughter and twin daughters have attended local schools.
Marcus is a Chartered Surveyor dealing with commercial property and helping Merley shop tenants since the early 1980's. Having worked for a local firm of estate agents since leaving school, he is now one of their Directors. Marcus lived in Bournemouth for several years and twice stood for the Lib Dems there. He served previously as Christchurch's first ever Lib Dem councillor in the 90s and was first elected to the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unitary Council in 2019.
Maria has dedicated her career to working with young people, helping them to transition into education, employment, or training. She believes that the right support at the right time is essential in order for young people to flourish, and guidance for them to make the right choices is important. Cuts to youth support services has had an adverse affect on the most vulnerable young people and she promotes young people's issues at Dorset Council at every opportunity.
Maria sits on the Place and Resources Overview Committee with Dorset Council and is the lead for the Liberal Democrats on the climate crisis, as she believes protection of the environment is one of the biggest challenges facing all of us. Dorset Council declared a climate change emergency in 2019 and she is pleased to see that it is now finally at the centre of all council policies.
Maria shares the concerns of local residents about building on the Green Belt and has worked hard to raise this as a major issue with the council.
Born in Poole, Peter has lived in Broadstone for the majority of his life since the age of 8. His family ran the 'Sidaways' newsagents in Dunyeats Road (now the Attic), which is fondly remembered by many local residents.
After spending much of his career working away from home as a programme director in the Life, Pensions and wealth management industry, Peter is now semi-retired and able to enjoy getting fully involved locally. He is wholly committed to the Broadstone community and has recently been involved in a number of projects including the Christmas Lights, Musical Markets and Rock on the Rec, as well as being on the leadership team for both the Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum and the fledgling Broadstone Business Community.
His 4 children all attended the local schools, with the youngest currently completing his final year at Poole Grammar. Married to Olivia, he is passionate about reducing the impact of poverty in our area, ensuring the success of local businesses, building a vibrant, attractive high street and the current climate emergency.
Richard has lived locally since his first teaching job back in 1986 and for the past 22 years has lived in Merley with his wife, daughter and dog Lexi. He has taught at many local schools and rose to Head of Science and Head of Year.
He was first elected to the new Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Unitary Council in 2019. Richard is passionate about environmental issues and plays a leading role in Merley Win on Waste.
Since retiring, Richard has been an active member of the local community as a coordinator for the Merley Neighbourhood Watch and an Ambassador for the local charity Ideas2Action. When not out and about walking his dog, Richard enjoys cycling, tending to his allotment, brewing craft beer and listening to an eclectic mixture of music.
Ryan was born and raised in Sandford and went to the local schools. An apprenticeship with a local Wareham engineering company set him on a career in which he has progressed to a supervisory role and has been working for a local family firm at Holton Heath. He has also been trained as a Coastguard Rescue Officer.
Ryan is very concerned about the heavy traffic, which at times, speeds along the A351 through Sandford. More funding for schools and social and affordable homes for first-time buyers are also key. Ryan fights to support residents on everyday issues; opposing the changes to A&E 24/7 cover at Poole Hospital and protecting the natural unique environment around Wareham. Having spent all his life in the area, Ryan is passionate about its heritage. He hopes his enthusiasm and commitment will certainly make this a better place to live for all residents.
Sandra has served Canford Heath residents since 2000. She lives in Canford Heath with her husband, Tony, and is a Mum and Grandma to two lively boys.
Shane was born in Wimborne and lives with his wife, Tracey and two daughters who attended local schools like himself. Shane now works in the medical industry. When he is not doing ‘Dad's taxi service', Shane likes walking across the Dorset countryside and reading about History.
He has served on the Town Council since 2011and in 2015 Pat Hymers chose Shane to be her successor and was elected alongside Cllr David Morgan before becoming Mayor of Wimborne in the 2015/16 civic year. In 2017 Shane was proud to be elected the Dorset County Councillor for Wimborne and Colehill West.
He saved Leigh Park playing field which was under threat of development by giving it ‘Fields in Trust' status, led the project and secured £15,000 of additional funding for the skate park facility in Redcotts Recreation Ground. He also took the lead in the refurbishment and installation of the new pay area in Redcotts. He has achieved getting additional funding projects for Riverside Wimborne and negotiated a new building for the Planet Youth Advisory Centre after the Conservative cuts in children's services. He has used his ward budget to support organisations and volunteer groups within the community. Shane cares about the people and places that make up Wimborne and he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in.
Job Titles:
- Councillor
- Resident Survey
Prior to her election to Poole Council in May 2011, Vikki was Chair of Broadstone Chamber of Trade for seven years and was committed to ensuring the success of the Christmas Parades and Lights. Having run a cafe and catering business since 2001 with her husband Paul, Vikki campaigned for reform of business rates, fairer parking charges and support for district shopping areas.
She founded Broadstone Fields in Trust Association - creating the Annual Summer Fun Day - and has been chair of Broadstone Youth Club since 2012, where she also volunteers as a Youth Leader. On council Vikki helped develop the Anti-Bullying Strategy and is outspoken on children's mental health services (CAMHS). She has also been a volunteer employability mentor at a number of secondary schools through Young Enterprise.
Vikki is a trained Dementia Friend and worked with local disability groups to improve access to shops and businesses, reducing pavement clutter and parking. She has campaigned for new play equipment at both parks, better access to, and maintenance of, the Castleman Trailway for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists. She continues to press the Council for new natural play equipment and other facilities at Broadstone Recreation Ground.
Vikki has four children, and wants to continue to create a safe, vibrant community with good employment prospects and to protect the environment for future generations.