IT will be a two-horse race for the vacant Calne Central ward seat on Calne Town Council next month.
Following the resignation of Brent Slater in September, Wiltshire Council confirmed that 10 or more electors from the central ward requested an election to fill the vacancy.
The candidates who will be vying for your support in the upcoming election are Celia Stevens for Labour and Jeremy Percy for Liberal Democrats. The Conservatives haven't put forward a candidate.
Celia Stevens
Celia is well known to many people in the town through her involvement in several community groups, including the Pocket Park, Calne Clean-up Crew and the junior parkrun, which she set up here just over 15 months ago.
Celia has lived in the centre of Calne for 25 years.
Celia commented: “Our Town Council is hardly representative of the people of Calne. There is just one female councillor and that is shameful in 2023. The Lib Dems already hold 10 out of 18 seats. I would provide a fresh voice on the Council.
"Among issues I have campaigned on and would take with me to the Council Chamber are :
- improved air quality. An Air Quality Management Area in the town centre has been in place for 10 years with no reduction in air pollution - better pavements and walking routes across the town
- guaranteed protection of green spaces and trees in and around the town including the Pocket Park, the Marden Valley out to the A4 and The Green. These areas are really important both for wildlife and for our health and wellbeing
- business and financial advice for start-ups and independent traders."
"I’m sure we all share the same concerns -the shortage of dentists and doctors, empty retail units, traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour, poor public transport, the dreadful state of our pavements, etc. While I recognise that the Council’s powers are limited, I believe that Calne Town Council can do much more to campaign to get things done in the town."
Jeremy Percy
Jeremy, his wife and their collie, moved to Calne from a small-holding in west Wales. He will already be known to many through his work with the River Warriors and Friends of Marden Valley.
Jeremy told us: "Since moving to Calne, my wife and I have been overwhelmed by the friendliness of the people, the excellent transport links and what for the most part is such a green and pleasant environment.
"As a long time beekeeper, I have developed a new training apiary for the local beekeeping association and manage it for training new beekeepers. I’ve joined the Calne River Warriors who look after all aspects of the Abberd Brook including tree planting, laying new paths, clearing blockages and sowing and planting wildflowers to enhance the brookside. I’ve also become part of the Friends of the Marden Valley who work to improve the water environment for the benefit of everything that lives in and around it.
"Calne has its challenges. With experience as a former Chair of the Community [parish] Council in west Wales, I am concerned to ensure that we do not suffer from uncontrolled development that outpaces the ability of local services to keep up.
"As a former foster parent for children and young people with particularly challenging upbringings, I will use my knowledge and skills to help address anti-social behaviour in the town.
"Everyone should be concerned at the decline of nature and Calne is no exception. We have lost over half of our flying insects in just a couple of decades and I will work tirelessly to protect and enhance our natural capital for the benefit of all.
"As a former commercial fishing captain [Skipper], I now provide fisheries advice to Greenpeace UK. On a voluntary basis I work with colleagues in the UK, Europe and across the globe to improve the sustainability of fish, fishermen and coastal communities. This experience will help me help Calne to grow sustainably and leave no one behind.
"So my main aims for Calne are to protect and enhance the natural environment for all residents, with a particular focus on air and water quality; Ensure that local services are enhanced to meet the ongoing development of housing in the town and vitally, to ‘leave no one behind’ by fighting for equality of life chances for all, irrespective of background, age or resources.
"And the bottom line; why am I standing for the Town Council? It’s simply to give something back to the town that has made us feel so welcome and to use what knowledge, skills and experience I have for the benefit of all."
Voting is on 9th November 2023 - it promises to be an intense campaign.
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