Councillors
Parish Councillors
Michael Bollom – Chairman
“I have lived in Bearsted for over 20 years and have been involved for the last 11 years in the decorations and flowers for Holy Cross Church at Christmas as well as the Christmas tree illuminations on the Green. I work in Sittingbourne supplying Automotive, Marine, Aviation and Glass chemicals around the world. I am keen supporter of all the events that take place in Bearsted and look forward to assisting in keeping Bearsted as a village community.”
michael.bollom@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
Fabienne Hughes – Vice Chairman
“French born, I arrived in Bearsted 23 years ago, married Jon, had two children now 19 and 16. Having been brought up in a close knit community, I tried to give my children the same environment to grow up in, local nursery, local schools, local football club, tennis club, dancing at the WI Hall, meet friends, learn to ride a bike on the Green. To me, the Green is Bearsted’s heart and our community should always be encouraged to use it and look after it. I have seen many changes in that time and I feel the Parish Council should protect and develop our community. I would strive to facilitate this.”
Richard Ash MBE
“I have served on the Parish Council since 1991 and during that time have been chair of the Council on 2 occasions from 2004 until 2008 and from 2012 until 2015. I have during my time chaired both the Environment Committee and the Finance and General Policy Committee. My address is 14 Hampson Way, Bearsted ME14 4AP. tele. 01622 730151.”
Geoff Bennett
“I went to great lengths to choose where I moved to seven years ago and I’m delighted that Bearsted came up the winner. It is a wonderful village and I have made some very special friends here. I am a member of the Bearsted and Thurnham Club, the local Golf Club and Chairman of our Tennis Club. I have worked for a local glazing company for over 25 years, currently as Trade and Commercial Manager. I shall do all I can to keep our village the best it can be.”
Suzanne Camp
“I moved to Bearsted 2006. I loved being able to walk to Thurnham and then Roseacre Schools with my son as he grew up. Now he’s at secondary school I work as a portrait artist, from home. I have worked closely with the Parish Council as the designer of the plaque in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee, and the Parish also asked me to refurbish the village sign, the image of the cricketer Alfred Mynn. The sign at Roseacre is also my work. I want Bearsted to maintain its community feeling. A place where all who live within the parish boundary benefit from good local amenities, have good job opportunities and a vibrant community feeling.”
Helena Goodwin
“Born in Kent, I have been a Bearsted resident for over 20 years. Married, with two children who were brought up in the village and are now at University. With over 35 years in the Marketing industry, I currently run my own business. I’m an active Bearsted Tennis club member and strongly care about the village and its community, which has played a major part of our life.”
John Hughes
“I have lived in Bearsted for 25 years. Have married and raised 2 children here and have encountered problems that affect us all – including the lack of school places, planning issues, litter, traffic volumes and the state of our roads. I believe that a new group of Parish Councillors could help to address some of these issues.”
Patricia Marshall MBE
- Moved to Bearsted in 1965, first occupant on Madginford Estate.
- Founder member with late husband of Madginford Residents Association.
- Borough Councillor representing Bearsted as an Independent Councillor for over 20 years.
- Parish Councillor for over 40 years including 8 years as the first Lady Chairman.
- Founder member and current President of Madginford W.I.
- A leading campaigner for the provision of the community Hall at Madginford and currently Chairman of the Management Committee.
- Governor of Madginford Infant and Junior Schools for over 40 years.
- President /Secretary and one of the key Organisers of the Bearsted & Thurnham Carnival and Fayre held annually since the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1979 raising thousands of pounds for charities and village amenities/organisations.
- Elected Mayor of Maidstone 2002 to 2003.
- Awarded MBE for services to the community in 2006.
24 Madginford Rd, Bearsted ME 15 8LG Tel: 01622 738455
Tony Ryan
“I have lived in Bearsted for 12 years, love the village and am a committee member of the Bearsted & Thurnham Club. I have spent 20 years in the catering and hospitality industry and am a director of an events management company. I love cooking and am a keen sports enthusiast (watching nowadays rather than playing!)”
Josie Smith
Having grown up in Bearsted, I care very much about the village and have always found myself drawn to the community spirit and traditional values that Bearsted has to offer. I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring my passion and knowledge for Bearsted’s history and culture to the Parish Council, and use this to enhance the village’s character. I always strive for improvement and believe that the residents’ voices within the Parish must be heard to create a fair and just system that works for all. I believe that with a focussed approach, we can retain Bearsted’s traditional feel whilst improving and modernising the village.
Viven Bowles
I currently work full time as a Lawyer for a Local Authority in the Children & Adults Legal Team.
I am keen on preserving the environment and can be seen jogging around Bearsted some mornings with a plastic bag picking up litter.
Previously I was Akela with the Bearsted Scout Group when my children were younger but left when I started studying law.
I am keen to ‘put something back’ into the community.
Frank Jagger
I have lived in Bearsted, with my wife, for 21 years, mainly because we have enjoyed the ‘atmosphere’ and quality of life here.
After taking early retirement I spent several years working for Business Link assisting ailing businesses to identify and rectify the issues that were affecting their viability. I also worked for over 10 years as a volunteer with the Princes Trust mentoring young 18-30 year olds on starting/running their own businesses.
Graeme Hannington
Although born neither a Kentish man nor a man of Kent, I find myself the latter by adoption. My wife’s family have lived in the County for generations and we live in the lovely village of Bearsted, My personal association with Kent began in 1978 when I trained at Brompton and followed my career through the Corps of Royal Engineers.
I believe that living in such a special area brings with it the responsibility to care for and assist the community and I have a very broad portfolio of skills and experience that I am certain can be used for Parish benefit.
graeme.hannington@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
Joanna Tribley
I have lived in Bearsted for 28 years with my husband and two daughters, who were born and raised in the village.
My background is in risk analysis and project finance, although since having my children, now aged 26 and 23, I have spent the last 20 years teaching French at lunchtime and after school clubs to the preschool and primary age children of Bearsted. I still hold clubs at Tiny Tots Nursery School and Thurnham Infant School, but with my own children having flown the nest, I now have more time on my hands.
I am keen to spend this new -found freedom and time helping out within the parish, to maintain and enhance the community spirit and to make the parish the best it can be.
Maidstone Borough Councillors
Denis Spooner (Conservative)
5 Shillingheld Close, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4QA
Mike Cuming (Conservative)
60 Madginford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone ME15 8LB
Valerie Springett (Conservative)
Cherrybank, Roundwell, Bearsted, Maidstone ME14 4HN
Kent County Councillor
Maidstone Rural North
Paul Carter (Conservative)
Leader’s Office, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ