Your Councillors
Paul Harding (Chairman)
I am currently employed in the public sector within the law enforcement community. Having moved to Banwell in 2008 to be with my now wife, after some years not getting involved, I joined the Parish Council in 2014 to meet new people in the village and help make Banwell a better place to live.
I can't solve the traffic, but I am committed to making the Parish Council, more modern, efficient, and relevant. The more we are all on line, the less people communicate. You will see me wandering around the village with the Parish, second-hand dog. I am the one with the panama or trilby, depending on the season. Happy to stop and chat about local issues any time.
Email: paul.harding@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 822017 / 07974 392245
Address: 1 Littlefields Road, Banwell
Committees: Planning, Youth & Community Centre & Employment.
Working Parties: Cemetery & Memorials
Outside Bodies: ALCA, NSC Standards sub-committee, Churchill & Lanford Minibus Society.
Other: Vehicle activated speed sign, weekly play area visual checks
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Phil Baird (Vice-Chairman)
Although I have only lived in Banwell for just over 2 years I have lived in the area for over forty years. During the short time I have lived in Banwell I have learnt what a lively and friendly community our historic village has.
I hope that my practical experience from a life time in the, electrical and communications industry, can benefit the community.
Email: phil.baird@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 820736
Committees: Planning, Youth and Community Centre & Employment
Outside Bodies: ALCA
Other: Defibrillator guardian, weekly play area visual checks, vehicle activated speed sign, flags
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Phil Adams
I was born and lived in the Berkshire area until moving to Banwell three years ago to be closer to my youngest son and his family who live in Worle.
After leaving school I joined HM Royal Marines for nearly 10 years as a signaller and served in many places including, Aden, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Malta, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.
When I left the service life in 1974 I made a career in sales, working for various companies and holding different positions within them until my retirement.
I have always been a people person enjoying talking with and helping anyone as I did when belonging to Mencap and the Motor Neurone Disease Association so becoming a Parish Councillor is enabling me to contribute to hopefully making Banwell a better place to live in the future.
Email: phil.adams@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 270800
Address: 3, Ash Road, Banwell, BS29 6EA
Committees: Youth and Community Centre & Appeals
Working Parties: Cemetery and Memorials,
Outside bodies: Banwell Scouts Association
Other: Defibrillator guardian
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Paul Blatchford
I moved from Manchester to Banwell with my family in 2003 and both my children attended Churchill School. I worked in Art and Design education for 35 years retiring in 2013 as an Associate Dean at the University of the West of England. One of my last roles at UWE was overseeing a large building project which got me interested in Planning issues, which was why I initially joined the Parish Council.
Having served the Council for 7 years I now have a much broader understanding of the issues facing the Parish and enjoy working with the other councillors and parishioners to help make Banwell a better place.
Email: paul.blatchford@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 820769
Address: 5 Church Street, Banwell BS29 6EA
Committees: Planning, Youth & Community Centre, Employment
Working Parties: Cemetery and Memorials
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Steven Davies
I have lived in the village my whole life and enjoy bell ringing, reading, archaeology and researching my family history. Over the years I have seen Banwell change in many ways some for the better some for the worse. I am passionate about preserving the historic nature of the village and getting a bypass.
Email: steve.davies@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 822245
Address: 10 Church Street, Banwell, BS29 6EA
Committees: Planning, Appeals
Working Parties: Cemetery and Memorials
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Kevin Gibbons
I have worked as Finance Manager/Officer for over 20 years for various charities and voluntary organisations. Also, as a Treasurer and Trustee on a voluntary basis. We moved to Banwell 3 years ago. My wife Pam was born and grew up in Banwell. Her family name ‘Hebden’ is well known, with her family being involved in the church, fire station, schools, carnival etc. Both myself and Pam are now becoming increasingly involved in the village. I am Treasurer for the Gardening Club; Match Secretary for the Bowling Club and I am also on the Management Committee of the Village Hall.
I decided to serve as a Councillor as I feel very passionate about village life, especially as I grew up in the inner city. Banwell Parish should be a place that is safe, healthy, attractive, in which to live and work, also to visit, for individuals and families.
We need to move with the times, but also to never leave behind the community spirit that has been built up over many years and continue to build a community we can all be proud of and enjoy.
Email: kevin.gibbons@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07576 446400
Address: 16, Greenfields Avenue, Banwell. BS29 6AU
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Lizzie Ingram - photo to follow
Email: lizzie.ingram@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 27 High Street
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Nick Manley
I was born and raised in Bedfordshire and, after living in London for several years, moved to Banwell in 2017 with my family.
I work in the aviation industry and since moving to the village I was taken aback at the village’s history and how warm and welcoming everyone was. I joined the Parish council shortly afterwards with an aim to becoming more involved with the local community and thoroughly enjoy working with my other councillors to help improve Banwell
Email: nick.manley@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07973 414019
Address: 'The Lawns', 2, High Street, Banwell.
Committees: Planning, Youth & Community Centre (Chairman)
Other: Defibrillator Guardian
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Maggie McCarthy
I was born and bred in Banwell at 6 Castle Hill (the Rhoddy) and my family roots go back 9 generations of Banwellians. My Grandparents Jack and Mabel Gardner ran a grocers and paper shop on the Rhoddy till 1964. I went to Banwell Primary school then at the age of 11 I left the village with my Mum and step father who was in the RAF. I kept links with the village all my life through my 2 brothers who have bowled at Banwell Bowling Club since the seventies.
I currently work in retail at Cheddar Caves. I have 2 grown up children and 5 grandchildren. I am passionate about preserving the village heritage to pass down to future generations and I am secretary of Banwell Society of Archaeology and local history.
I decided to join the council 2 years ago to help safeguard our traditions and stop over developing the village where possible. I love being on the Parish Council and enjoy participating with all aspects of village life.
Email: maggie.mccarthy@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07975 727996
Address: Woodcutters Barn, Riverside, BS29 6EE
Committees: Youth & Community Centre & Employment
Working Parties: Cemetery and Memorials
Outside Bodies: Village Hall Foundation, St Andrews PCC
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Dawn Parry
I am a businesswoman, and film producer. I’m also fuel decontamination consultant. I’m skilled at managing people, budgets and delivering projects. My clients and experience range from creating sell-out shows at the Bristol Old Vic with music productions, to television comedy, to consultative work for the UK MoD, to delivering clean fuel solutions to the Chilean mining sector.
I invented Soltaic solar powered backpacks in 2003 ensuring remote student travel safety around the world.
I have lived locally on Wolvershill for the last eighteen years in Banwell with my husband John who is a local secondary school Head of Mathematics and our sons. Our youngest, Hugh attended Banwell pre-school which I helped raise the £50,000 with one other local resident for the log cabin building from lottery funding. Hugh attended our wonderful village Banwell Primary School and then went on to Churchill and is now at university.
I am passionate about equality, ensuring everyone has a voice and is heard. I enjoy working for our community. I was also Chairman of the Local Action Team for several years, acting against anti-social behaviour in our villages. I’m currently creating an Education Foundation between Sidcot School in Winscombe and Tujereng School in The Gambia, a third world African nation because I believe education gives people choices in life that can in turn lift them out of poverty.
Email: dawn.parry@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07595 023204
Address: The Elms, Wolvershill Road, Banwell
Committees: Planning, Appeals
Outside Bodies: Patient Particpation Group
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Matthew Thomson
My wife’s family have lived in Banwell for the better part of 50 years. She was born and raised here, but we met in Plymouth at University (I grew up in Devon). After leaving Plymouth to further our careers, we returned to the family home in Banwell whilst commuting to jobs in Bristol. After a time, we moved to Bristol to avoid the commute, but moved back to Banwell in August 2021 realising that city life isn’t for us, and because we’ve recently had a son, we wanted him to grow up close to family and in a rural setting.
I’m currently employed as a Civil servant, but previously worked in Higher Education for several years. As soon as we returned to Banwell, I knew I wanted to join the parish council. Part of this is to learn about how government works at its lowest level, and the other part is to proactively be a part of it. Our extended family lives in the village, and I want to help make Banwell as good a place to live as possible.
You might see me walking around with my son and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Always happy to meet new people and have a chat, so if you see me feel free to say high and bring up any issues you might want discussing.
Email: matthew.thomson@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 73 High Street,
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY
Banwell Parish Council needs YOU
Interested? Read on!
Banwell Parish Council currently has ONE vacancy which can be filled by co-option.
What is a Parish Council?
A Parish Council is a statutory body and are the first tier of local government in England. They are independently elected and raise a precept (a form of council tax) from the local community.
A parish council has an overall responsibility for the well-being of its local community and its works falls into three categories;
- Representing the community
- Delivering services to meet local needs
- Striving to improve quality of life in the Parish.
Using a range of discretionary powers, a parish council can provide and maintain a variety of important and visible local services including; bus shelters, cemetery, community safety and crime reduction measures, dog bins, events and festivals, footpaths, leisure facilities, litter bins, open spaces, street cleaning, traffic calming and youth projects among others.
Who is eligible?
All members must be 18 years or more, an elector, or have lived or worked (as a principal place of work) in the locality or within 3 months of the parish (without reason for disqualification).
What is expected of me?
You will be required to attend one meeting of the full council per month, set aside time to read and respond to parish council information and champion the views of your residents. If you live or work in the locality and are interested in community matters and want to help make a difference then the Parish Council would like to hear from you.
This is an exciting time to join Banwell Parish Council with a number of new projects on the horizon. Support and induction training will be provided.
Contact information
If you would like to find out more, please contact the Parish Clerk Liz Shayler by phone 01934 820442 or by email clerk@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk.
ALTERNATIVELY speak to any of the present Parish Councillors whose contact details can be found above