Councillors

David Hall

I am a new Parish Councillor having been elected in July 2022. I moved to Bearsted in 1990 with my wife Irene. We have one daughter who attended Thurham and Roseacre schools.

My career has involved transport and highway management based in the public and private sectors. I have extensive experience of project management and contract management at senior level with Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council. I also have extensive Road Safety experience which was part of my portfolio with the County Council.

I am a keen walker and as a family, we support the Kent Air Ambulance whenever we can. I am an active member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds as well as the National Trust and English Heritage. I care deeply about our environment and looking after it for future generations to enjoy.

I am very much looking forward to supporting our beautiful village through my work on the Parish Council using the experience from my career.

Val Springett

I have lived in Bearsted for over 24 years, with my husband, two sons and various dogs over that time! Having been an airline pilot for 23 years, the opportunity arose for early retirement and this gave me the chance to spend more time at home with my family and to do something different. I was part of the StopKIG campaign which successfully stopped a huge road/rail interchange from being built nearby in 2010 and following on from that, became a Borough Councillor for Bearsted in 2011. 

I joined the parish council in February 2023 and am able to use my role and experience as a Borough Councillor to assist with parish issues. Through the traffic committee, I work with our KCC Highways Officers to try to find resolutions to issues that concern our residents. 

We have a fantastic village, with a great community spirit and the parish council works hard to support our community for the benefit of all.

Denis Spooner

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 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.

James Day

I 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.

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.

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.

Jodie Pottage

My husband and I moved to Bearsted in 2012 from Bromley and we fell in love with the village immediately. We have since had two children who attend the village schools and they thoroughly enjoy it.

I’ve made many friends in the village and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

I was Secretary at my children’s school PTA for 3 years to help raise much needed funds by organising events for parents and children who attend the school. I loved the interaction with all the parents/children and found it very rewarding when we did the events that were fun for all the families.

I’m a company Director for my Fathers family business and would like to use some of my skills as a Parish Councillor to help our wonderful community in any way I can.

Neil Francis

I moved to Bearsted from NW London in 1990 to take a job at the regional Radio station. Divorced with 2 grown up children both of whom took the Roseacre school route to their education. I spent 8 years managing the boys football team MPE. I’ve also been involved in many events on Bearsted Green.

For over 30 years I have been immersed in life in Bearsted, wishing to continue to make it a better & even more inclusive place to live. My career has been in broadcasting, journalism, event coordination & media and public relations. I still consult in those areas.

I’m a big football fan & if I didn’t live in Bearsted it would probably be Sicily. Having just joined the Parish Council in July 2024 I have been inspired by the committee’s energy & transparency in their commitment to the residents of Bearsted & wish to add to that positive ethos.

Denis Spooner

Valerie Springett

Ciaran Oliver

Sir Paul Carter

Maidstone Rural North