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.”

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.”

Martin Broughton

I moved to Bearsted from London in 2011 with my wife and step-daughter. I have worked for London Underground for over 27 years and enjoy or suffer the London commute on a daily basis. Bearsted has a strong community spirit and vibrant social scene that I enjoy being a part of and I hope that Bearsted retains its unique charm and village feel.

Sandra Knatchbull

I have lived in Bearsted for 23 years with my Husband and 4 children, the two youngest attending Thurnham and Roseacre Schools.  Most of my career was spent as PA to the Chairman of Crest Packaging PLC (formerly Bowater) and now run 2 holiday cottages at our house, which I thoroughly enjoy.  

I serve on committees at Holy Cross Church, as well as several more locally.  We live in a beautiful village with an active community and I hope to make a positive contribution by being part of Bearsted Parish Council.

Graeme Hannington

I’m a Man of Kent by adoption as my wife’s family has lived in the County for generations. Family holidays and my career in Her Majesty’s Corps of Royal Engineers made our county ‘home’ for me.

As a civil and military engineer I have worked around the world, as far afield as New Zealand, on combat and peace support operations and on multi-national projects. I also have wide experience in the nuclear and charitable sectors as well as emergency planning, training and education.

Prior to joining the British Army I worked in country park management and forestry and have an enduring passion for the natural world.

I’m a mountaineer, skier and a keen long-distance walker.

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.”

Tom Jenkins

I have been a resident in Bearsted for about 18 years. I have had links with the Maidstone area for many years as I used to work in the school holidays for for my uncle at Homeleigh Timber at Staplehurst. I am a Draughtsman by profession working in Structural Engineering all my life. The type of projects I have been involved in are quite diverse ranging from from the recently completed Tottenham FC stadium, Westfield shopping centre and the Olympic stadium. We specialise in high rise towers and my knowledge will assist the Planning Committee. The type of industry I am involved in, you have to be a good team player and I think this is a quality that is needed to be a Councillor. 

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

Denis Spooner

I have lived in Bearsted for nearly 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 local government; private practice; and, for the latter part of my career, in central government. I have a particular interest in planning and development which frequently raise serious issued 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 and am currently Vice Chairman of the Borough Council Planning Committee.

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.

Adam Powell

I have lived in Bearsted since 2018 and attended Maidstone Grammar School.

I have travelled the world extensively with F1 working with the on board systems for camera video and technology.

I am a people person and excited at the opportunity of having a positive impact on the life experience of my neighbours and local family, helping to shape the environment and to improve the overall landscape of the area I live in.

Nigel Cox

Lived in Kent throughout my life moving to Bearsted in 2019. I have been for many years involved in voluntary work in the local community.

The Finance area is one that fits with my experience of nearly 40 years in banking, mostly in project work which is heavily based on budgets, cashflows etc which is hopefully where I can add some value to the Parish Council.

Mark Peters

I have lived in Bearsted and Grove Green man and boy and seen the changes ( even before some of the developments at Grove Green ). I have many friends here, and an active social life in the area. I have been attending Bearsted Fete since the early 1990’s and often get involved in Music on the Green and other events. I love the pub and restaurants in the area and always look to support the local businesses.

I attended Swadlands School as did many from the area. We are now the second generation and many children raised in this area the 80’s and 90’s have returned to raise their own. In fact school run is often a school reunion!

A keen walker, runner, cyclist and I am an active member of the Bearsted Woodland Trust. I have many hobbies and also a member of Tudor Park for golf and the gym.