Parish Council Pen Portraits
Marden Parish Councillors and Employees photographs - double click to view name and details
| Cllr | Role in MPC | Pen Portrait | Committees |
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Richard Adam |
Finance Vice-Chairman |
I have been a parish councillor since the elections in 2000 and sit on the Planning Committees. I also sit on the Finance Committee which I currently chair. I am a civil engineer by profession (specialising in highways and transportation) and am a member of the Marden History Group and Marden Village Club. |
Planning Finance
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Anne Boswell |
Amenities Chairman |
I have lived in the Parishes of Marden and Staplehurst since 1983 and 'semi-retired' in 2010 after many years commuting to London. I was elected a Councillor in 2012 and am now embarking on my fourth term and during this time the demographics have changed considerably in our Parish. I believe it is important to engage with the whole community in a positive and proactive way. I am passionate about our village and like to be involved in as many areas as possible and believe communication is a key element. I am involved in a variety of projects including drafting the Parish Newsletter aiming to pack in as much information as possible to residents and helped to set up the Environmental Sub-Group looking at sustainability and biodiversity. I have been Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Amenities Committee most of my time on the council helping to ensure the open space areas in the Parish are well maintained to help to improve the quality and life of residents and the environment. I am also a member on the Planning, HR and Finance Committees. I am Chairman of Marden in Bloom which was set up in 2016, the main aim of which is to enhance the attractiveness of our village for which I received a KALC Community Award in 2022. I am also a trustee of the Marden Dementia Friendly Community (Living Memories) group. I love travelling, am an ardent gardener and of course being involved with my lovely family. |
Amenities Finance Planning
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Paul Dobinson |
Parish Cllr |
Paul was co-opted onto Marden Parish Council on 13th August 2024 - pen portrait to follow |
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Theresa Gibson |
Vice-Chairman to Marden Parish Council
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As a child I lived in Canada for 10 years and returned to UK where I later met and married my husband. We have grown up children and grandchildren. My husband is ex Military so as a family we have lived in various different places around the UK and overseas. Living in Towns and Rural environments over the years, which gives me a rich tapestry of understanding different lifestyles and backgrounds. On leaving the Military before moving to Marden, we settled for a number of years in London. I have a broad spectrum of skills gained in my working life in Administration, Retail, Recruitment, Legal Compliance, HR and Computer Support for The Department of Work and Pensions to name a few career paths. During my time in London I undertook voluntary work with Bromley Council representing Tenants and Leaseholders in my area. Attending Council Meetings and forums. I was also a member of The Federation of Council Tenants and Leaseholders. I worked with a steering group made up of MP's, charitable organisations, The Federation of Council Tenants and Leaseholders and Bromley Council, which was set up to inform and represent Tenants and Leaseholders in the sale of Bromley Council Housing Stock, to Broomleigh Housing Association. I was subsequently elected to sit on the Area Board of Broomleigh Housing Association once the sell off was completed to represent Tenants and Leaseholders. So I have always had an interest in where I live and to try and effect the needs and requirements of all local Residents and representing them to the best of my ability. That doesn't make me an expert by any means, but I hope to be able to continue to work to benefit the Residents of Marden. I'm considered a newbie to Marden as we only moved here 5 years ago. We chose to move to Marden as we fell in love with the village and its unique village lifestyle and want this to be our forever home. In the short time we have been here we have made some amazing friends and acquaintances. We have actively participated in various Groups in the village, including The Save Marden campaign. I have participated in Parish Council Meetings and taken part in contributing to The Marden Neighbourhood Plan and MBC Local Plan. I love all things Marden and standing as a Parish Councillor for me was an obvious step for me to continue to represent Marden and its Resident's from now and into the future.
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Amenities
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Ian Newton |
Parish Cllr |
I have been a Marden resident since 1956 and plan to stay. I was elected for the first time onto Marden Parish Council in 2000 and have remained a Cllr in all the subsequent years. Presently I sit on the Amenities and Planning Committees as well as several sub-committees and have a humungous interest in getting the best for the village where I live.
I have also been a Trustee of the Memorial Hall for several years, a founder member and committee member of the Marden Theatre Group, founder member of Marden History Group and member of the Steering Group that manages the Marden Heritage Centre.
Personal interest/hobbies, in no particular order, photography, mechanical engineering, information technology, music, drama, local history
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Amenities
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Adrian Rabot |
Amenities Vice-Chairman |
I have worked for Bexley Education Department for 5 years and the Metropolitan Police Service for 30 years, retiring as a Superintendent. I worked in Community Safety, Neighbourhood Policing and Schools Policing and was responsible for the Service’s Youth Policy within the Metropolitan Police Service and delivering youth engagement and diversion programmes. I have also worked as The Head of Community Safety for Lewisham Borough Council. Since retiring I have worked for Youth United, a charity supporting uniformed youth organisations develop across the UK, particularly the Police Cadets, Scouts and Girlguiding. I have been volunteering with Bexley Police Cadets and am currently volunteering with Kent Police Cadets at Maidstone. The Cadets are working on environmental and community projects in Marden, carrying out tree planting and litter picking. I am keen to ensure this is a long-term partnership with the Parish Council to support the community and enhance the quality of life of residents. I have a keen interest in community safety and partnership working with Kent Police and other local Statutory agencies as I have years of experience in partnership working and am keen to ensure that local service providers respond to the needs of the local community. |
Amenities |
Mike Summersgill |
Parish Cllr |
I retired in 2022 after a five decade career as a civil engineer, having worked since 1975 for Yorkshire Water, four Consultants, two Contractors and, for the past decade, self-employed. Both a chartered civil engineer (CEng) and a chartered water & environment manager (C.WEM), through two international professional bodies, I was President of CIWEM, a 10,000-strong body in 2013/14. Having been involved initially in soil, water and sewer/drainage projects, I got involved with groundwater contamination issues at Maidstone Gasworks in the early 1990’s and have since specialised in the cleaning up of former industrial and brownfield sites for redevelopment/re-use. Born in Skipton and brought up in Hull, I might sometimes mention I’m a Yorkshireman, although since 1987 I have been based in Maidstone, initially in Hunton, then Loose and from 2009 Hunton again. Before then, I worked in the UAE for seven years, and our two eldest (girls) were born in Sharjah, while our youngest NHS baby is a Kentish Man – they all have their own youngsters now, so I’m an active grandad to 6 youngsters. My wife helped to run Hunton Playgroup in the early 1990’s and then resumed her teaching career at Loose Infants, before retiring in 2010; she still volunteers at Hunton school, and recently retired from running Loose Brownies. I have been a School Governor at Loose Juniors and Maidstone Grammar, a decade at each, and was also an Eco-Schools assessor. Apart from my work in the engineering world, I have had a long-standing interest in watching and promoting live music events (including five years of promoting concerts at Hunton Village Hall, many with Applause Rural Touring support, and 8 years being a DJ in my spare time, back in the 1970’s). I’m also involved in a local Walking group, and am a flood, tree and pond warden in Hunton. I’m involved in local environmental groups, working with the Green Party on rural issues, and have stood for election to Maidstone Borough for seven years, finally getting elected to the Council in May 2024. Lastly, I am a CAMRA member and an avid follower of all new ales that Simon suggests at the Club.
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Amenities |
Kate Tippen |
Marden Parish Council Chairman |
Although not Marden born and bred I have lived here since 1981 and during that time have tried to play a full part in village life. Prior to joining the Parish Council in 2004 I was secretary to the Marden Society in the 1980’s and secretary to Marden Theatre Group in the 1990’s. I was a founder member of the Marden Society Footpath Group and was heavily involved with the reopening of many footpaths enjoyed by residents today that had been much ignored until the late 1980’s. I have served on the Parish Council since 2004 and was honoured to be Chairman of the Council from May 2016 to May 2019. I served as Vice Chairman for 2 years until 2021 and am once again Chairman of the Council. My aim is to lead a forward thinking, transparent council that embraces change whilst respecting the physical and cultural heritage of our village. |
Amenities
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Andy Turner |
Finance Chairman & Planning Vice-Chairman |
I was born and raised in Marden over 40 years ago. Marden is my home. I attended Marden Pre-School and Marden Primary School and completed by A levels at Cornwallis School. I worked for a number of years in retail before changing my career and obtaining a degree in Building Surveying. I have been employed by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council as a Building Control Surveyor for the last 16 years. My interests include reading, ballroom dancing, astronomy, cooking, travel and, of course, the Parish Council. I was elected to Marden Parish Council in 2012. This honour has allowed me to really get involved with the work of the Council and the life of the parish. I am proud to be the Chairman of the Marden Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. |
Amenities
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Vacancy |
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Alison Hooker |
Parish Clerk |
I started working at Marden Parish Council in September 2002 and continue to enjoy my role working 37 hours per week. I am employed as the Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer and both roles are interesting and very varied. I have always worked within Local Government firstly at Kent Police and then Kent County Council. I was pleased to obtain the Certificate in Local Council Administration in November 2006 which helped me have a better understanding of Parish Councils. |
Clerk to Finance, HR and Planning
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Rachel Weeks |
Deputy Parish Clerk |
I originally moved to Marden in 2003 and have been passionate about our community and village ever since by being previously involved in the Committees of Marden Pre-School Playground, Marden in Bloom, Marden Primary School PTA and Marden Theatre Group. I now live in Lenham with my partner and have two daughters, both of whom attended Marden Primary School. I hope to bring my knowledge of social media and communication to Marden Parish Council. I enjoy walking my dogs Milo and Purdey, going on holiday, cycling, socialising and exercising |
Clerk to Amenities
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Lisa Stevens |
Admin Assistant |
I started work at Marden Parish Council in June 2023 and enjoy the role of Administrative Assistant helping Ali and Rachel with work associated with the running of the Council. I have previously lived in Marden so already know a lot about the village and I now live in Maidstone with my family.
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Ian Jones |
Cemetery Caretaker |
Has been tending the cemetery for the past 30 years. Thank you Ian |
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Chris Prince |
Village Caretaker |
Began work for Marden Parish Council on 21st August 2017 |