Parish Councillor Mike Summersgill

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.

Amenities Committee

Open Spaces Sub-Committee

Environmental Sub-Group

MPC representative on the KALC Maidstone Area Committee