The candidates for the upcoming Wilmslow Town Council election, representing Wilmslow East Ward, have been announced.
Residents in the Wilmslow East Ward will have the choice of five candidates to fill three seats, when they go to the polls on on Thursday, 4th May.
The candidates standing are:
- Sarah Firth - Residents of Wilmslow
- Chetan Katre * - Local Conservatives
- Jon Kelly * - Residents of Wilmslow
- James Richardson - Local Conservatives
- Neil Stelling - Residents of Wilmslow
I will publish brief interviews with each of the candidates, in the order in which I receive a response to my request. Use the tags below to locate the other candidate interviews published to date.
Please tell me about yourself - occupation, where you live, interests, family?
I am retired Railway Manager having served as Station Manager Chester and the Project Manager of complex projects including: West Coast Route Upgrade, Manchester Airport 3rd Platform, freight yards to get heavy traffic of the roads and new station schemes.
I live in the centre of Wilmslow, being able to walk to the cinema and shops and being only minutes from our beautiful countryside is a great bonus.
I live with my partner Marlene and one, shortly to be two, cats.
My interests are local history including Alan Turing, wildlife and football, both league and non-league. I was a founder member of a fan-owned team.
How long you have lived there?
I have lived in Wilmslow all my life 65 Years!
Are you a member of any local groups or societies?
I am a volunteer ranger for National Trust on Alderley Edge, a British Trust For Ornithology surveyor on Lindow Moss , Historical Society member and Chair of Wilmslow Turing Town Project. I run the popular free History Tours.
Why have you decided to re-stand for election as a town councillor?
I have enjoyed the challenge of improving Wilmslow on the town council, there is still much we can do.
What do you consider to be the important issues facing Wilmslow?
Some of the issues to tackle include town centre improvement and revitalisation, reducing the noise of traffic , protecting the countryside and supporting community groups and volunteers.
What do you hope to achieve and how in the next 4 years?
For the next 4 years, I want to get the Lindow Landscape Partnership going, co-work with our neighbouring parishes and mark Wilmslow's history including Alan Turing , our most famous resident.
What experience and personal qualities will you bring to the role?
Previously I served as a Borough Councillor, professionally I was the Chester Railway Station Manager and also a Project Manager for new stations and freight yards. I am experienced and an active community volunteer.
Why should Wilmslow East ward residents vote for you?
Wilmslow East is a great place to live but we need to look closely at protecting the green belt and calming traffic. The Railway Station on the ward is a poor advert for the town and a first impression for visitors , I want to work with Network Rail to improve it.
*current councillor.
