PWho We Are

Mary Sheppard (Chairman)

Email: marysheppard@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

I am a semi-retired farmer. My mother and grandfather were both farmers before me. I have lived in or very near Bleadon most of my life and have been a parish councillor for nearly 30 years. In my time serving as Chairman and on the Youth Club, Open Spaces and Planning Committees.

Email: marysheppard@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Committees: Personnel and Contracts, Open Spaces Working Group, Parish News Working Group

Declaration: Register of Members' Interests

Andy Scarisbrick (Vice-Chairman)

Email: andyscarisbrick@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Bio on its way.

Email: andyscarisbrick@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Committees: Personnel & Contracts, Open Spaces Working Group

Declaration: Register of Members' Interests

I D Clarke

Email: idclarke@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

I grew up in Weston-super-Mare - met and married my now late husband who was serving in the RAF (Locking). As a service wife I lived in various part of the U.K as well as overseas – Germany and Bahrain. On leaving the RAF we found ourselves having to settle in London. I spent most of my working life within the Local Authority, NHS and the Voluntary Sector in London’s East End where I was fortunate to work for the people of the London Borough of Newham.

During that time I worked with and for adolescents offenders, managed a rehab house within a psychiatric hospital and for the eighteen years prior to returning to Bleadon I was the Co-ordinator of one of the London’s Borough’s Disability Association. In this capacity I was required to serve on various committees including the L.B of Newham Social Services, Health and Education Committees as well as a variety of local agencies. For experience I chose to do a stint of Agency work in the London Hospitals and was fortunate to work at St Barts and as Private Patients Secretary at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Whilst growing up I had fairly strong links with this area – tramping around the surrounding hills and visiting family connections in the Parish. While living in London those links were maintained with frequent visits staying in local holiday cottages, as our plan was to retire to Bleadon. I returned to Bleadon some fifteen years ago and initially became a member of the P.C some 12 years ago - I took a three year break and returned as a member again in February 2020. To the best of my knowledge as a Parish councillor I was only absent on two occasions and later as a parishioner I have attended all PC meetings.

I have enjoyed being part of village activities - I represented the PC on the Coronation Hall Management Committee, Secretary for the PCC, various groups and social activities including the WI and its various groups, Tiffins Coffee Morning group and of course being part of the dog walking fraternity with my spaniels. These involvements have enabled me to meet with both ‘immediate’ parishioners and those in the outlying boundaries, whom I feel are often overlooked.

I feel I can usefully contribute in the work and responsibilities of the Parish Council and by doing my best to seek and to represent the varied and multiple views of ‘All’ residents of our Parish.

Email: idclarke@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Committees: Personnel & Contracts, Parish News Working Group

Declaration: Register of Members' Interests

Ann Davies

Email: anndavies@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

My Husband and I have lived in Bleadon since October 1992. Our two boys, aged 25 and 20 respectively, were born here and have grown up in the Village. I grew up in St.Georges which at that time was a small farming community, so I have only ever known village life. We take part in village activities when we can and always help out with the annual May Fayre.

I have sat on many local committees with different roles including the Bleadon Baby & Toddler Group, Lympsham Pre School, Lympsham School’s PTA, Governor of the School for 10 years, Weston Rugby Junior/Mini Section. I am a Martial Arts Instructor and have ran after school self-defence classes and Ladies self-defence classes. I also gave talks and demonstrations at local WIs and Ladies groups, including Bleadon WI. Currently, I am Manager of Weston Rugby’s Senior Men’s second team and run (with one other) the library at Lympsham School.

I am a Legal Executive and worked in local Solicitors firms specialising in Land Law, Wills and Probate. Since having a family, I have worked as a self-employed Law Costs Draftsman, which I still do now. I am a methodical person, a stickler for the rules and approach issues with an open mind and a strong sense of fairness.

Email: anndavies@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Committees: Employment Appeals, Open Spaces Working Group

Declaration: Register of Members' Interests

Jo Gower-Crane

I have lived with my family in Bleadon for over 20 years. I fully support local farming and aim to preserve our rural heritage and culture for future generations to come.

Over my time in Bleadon I've supported both residents and councillors in a variety of capacities including being a Halls representative and a member of the original Parish Plan Working and Steering groups. I'm currently the council representative for Food Security, Climate Change and Biodiversity, and editor of the council's quarterly Parish News. At district level, I'm the vice-chair of ALCA-North Somerset.

I have a professional background in designing, developing and implementing complex government information systems at the local and national level - working with all local government authorities, Environment Agency, Land Registry and Coal Authority. I remain passionate and committed to improving local democracy through better public engagement, striving for council openness and transparency, especially in the spending of public funds at all levels. I'm also a qualified Montessori teacher and avid bookworm.

I look forward to hearing your views and representing our parish to the best of my ability.

Email: jogc@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Committees: Personnel & Contracts, Parish News Working Group

Declaration: Register of Members' Interests