Denis Spooner – Vice Chairman

I have lived in Bearsted for 40 years. My three children all went to Thurnham Infants and Roseacre Junior schools.

I am a retired Chartered Town Planner and have worked in both local and central government and in private practice. I have a particular interest in planning, development and property matters which frequently raise serious issues with Bearsted residents.

I have served as a Parish Councillor from 2011 until 2015 and again from 2019 to the present. I was Chairman of the Parish Council’s Planning Committee and Vice Chairman of the full Council from 2012 until 2015.

I have been a Maidstone Borough Councillor for Bearsted Ward since 2017; was Vice Chairman of the Borough Council Planning Committee from 2019 until 2021 and Chairman from 2021 to the present.

I have been a member of the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, the Bearsted and District Local History Society and the Bearsted Woodland Trust for many years. I am also a former governor and former Chairman of Governors of Roseacre School.  

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.”

Clive English

“I am a former employee of Royal Mail and a Member of Maidstone Borough Council having served as Mayor in 2013-14 and I currently Chair the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. I have been a member of Tovil Parish Council since 1987, and Chaired the Maidstone area Committee of KALC for 10 years. I have a keen interest in the Environment and am a Trustee of the Len valley Nature Reserve, and a Board Member of several Local Charitable Bodies and Trusts including Maidstone Mediation and the Community Rail Partnership, which covers the Line from Ashford to Otford.”

Carolyn Smith

I am new to the parish council and am keen to play my part in making Bearsted the best it can be.

I have lived here for over 30 years and my children went to the local schools. I am now retired but have worked as a legal secretary, a teaching assistant and in school admin as a business manager. I am hoping to use my skills and life experience to work to keep Bearsted a great place to live.

Mike Harris

I have lived in Bearsted since I was 6 (1987) and have always been a part of the community. Now I have my own family, my sons will be going to the same school I did and I hope they grow up enjoying the wide variety of open spaces, clubs and facilities Bearsted has to offer.
I work for a local authority as an Outdoor Leisure Manager overseeing the grounds maintenance contract and managing country parks, sportsgrounds, an allotment association, play areas, skate parks, ball courts, bowls greens, tennis courts and a cemetery. I hope my knowledge in local government, parks, open spaces and play areas can be of use to the Parish in the future. We have a great village and I hope I can make a positive contribution.

James Day

I am a new Parish Councillor and have lived in the village my whole life attending Thurnham and Roseacre schools. I am a local business owner and have also worked in central government. I am keen to offer my perspective and experiences to help serve the local community in the best way I can. I have a young family and hope to be able to contribute positively in shaping the village for its current residents and future generations as it’s a great place to live.

Cllr Alan Rowe

I have lived in Bearsted for over 40 years and was a Councillor for a few years around 2014 until my wife needed my care prior to her passing away in 2020. I was elected recently in October. I am an engineer by profession and I am an advanced driver and national observer with the IAM, training people to advanced driving standard. I am also an advanced driver with RoSPA. I hope to bring some of my lifes experiences to help everyone in Bearsted.

Frank Jagger

I have lived in Bearsted, with my Dutch wife, for 25 years, mainly because we enjoy the ‘atmosphere’ and quality of life here.

In my working career I was involved in two company turnarounds, with responsibility for General Management, Sales & Marketing. Following 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 people (18-30 year olds) on starting/running their own business.

I believe that the Parish Councils primary role is to listen to residents needs and concerns and do whatever it can to deal with these in a positive manner. I am passionate about focussing on those issues, many of which are day to day matters, where the Council can make worthwhile differences/improvements to the community.

Val Springett

I have lived in Bearsted for nearly 24 years, with my husband, two sons and various dogs over that time! I have been a borough councillor for Bearsted since 2011 and so I know the parish well. I have attended many parish council meetings over the years and so I know what the parish council does and how it works. Sadly in recent times, the council has become divided and has lost the trust of some residents, but I hope to use my experience as a borough councillor to help to resolve that and restore its credibility. We have a fantastic village, with a great community spirit and we need to build on that to benefit us all.

Sean Turner

I have lived in Bearsted with my young family since 2018, It’s a beautiful traditional village as I am sure we all agree.

I am a keen cyclist and enjoy other interests such as cold water swimming and Mindfulness training.

I wish to help to support the council in making the right collective decisions on behalf of the residents and wish to conserve Bearsted’s beauty and heritage as our gift to future generations.

Chris Waters

I moved to Thurnham in the autumn of 2019 having lived in Charing, near Ashford for 15 years. I am married to Grace who is a Midwifery Manager at the Royal London NHS Hospital Trust.

I am a semi-retired businessman having worked and been CEO of a London based Food Group for the past 33 years.

I have been an Ashford Borough Councillor for the four years prior to my moving to Thurnham. During my time at Ashford Borough Council, I sat on the following committees for the full four year term: Planning, Standards, Licencing & Audit (Chairman).

I am a member of the Bearsted & Thurnham Society and the Bearsted & Thurnham tennis club.

In my spare time, I love walking our two dogs and being out in my garden as well as enjoying the occasional pint of Kentish real ale.

Pat Catt

I have lived in Downswood, and now the Madginford area of Bearsted, since
1987. My children and grandchildren have all attended Madginford School,
and I have been involved over the years with many community groups and
associations.

I have reached retirement after many years in the Civil Service, and more
recently in Educational Publishing for two major UK publishers. I have also
been a volunteer at Leeds Castle (Events) and worked as an exams invigilator
at a local school.

I would like to help make a difference by supporting the local community and
working with the Council to improve our way of life in Bearsted.

Martha Monday

I have lived in Bearsted since 2021, and have long associations with the village, having ridden and walked through the lanes and surrounding countryside with various horses and dogs over the years. I particularly appreciate the way Bearsted has a traditional aesthetic without being stuck in the past and enjoy the strong sense of community.

Having practised in Kent as a barrister for many years, I am now a Director of a national mediation company, helping people resolve disputes in a more user-friendly way.

I have joined the parish council with a desire to help preserve all that is good and valued about the village, whilst working with residents in moving with the times towards healthy growth that is positive and balanced, ensuring that Bearsted maintains its unique energy and character.