Town Councillors

My children were in primary school when we moved to Norfolk in 2012. We lived in Banningham, until our big relocation to Tuttington in 2020 when the children attended Aylsham High School. My career has spanned the Pharmaceutical industry, Environmental Management Consultancy and Natural Healthcare products. An enthusiastic volunteer for many years, I have been involved with PTAs at the childrens’ schools, the Norfolk Tortoise Club, St John’s Ambulance and, since 2023, as a Councillor with Aylsham Town.

As a Councillor I have become involved with working to implement the Traffic Strategy adopted by the Council in 2023. There is an active Transport Group working as part of the Aylsham Climate Emergency Committee and as Chair of this group I am helping to push forward with recommendations for a more sustainable approach to transport in Aylsham.

Setting up the Healthy Town initiative through events and our website has been really helpful in understanding what is available and what needs to be implemented in our area to help our existing and new residents access healthcare services. With the local surgeries, Broadland District Council Help Hub and amazing voluntary organisations in the town, there is so much help out there and we are working to ensure all residents have access to the help they need when they need it.

New developments in Aylsham are inevitable and we have opportunities to improve the infrastructure and facilities in the town for residents through funding that becomes available as a result of these developments. As a Council we need to be very assertive in our requests for infrastructure developments before developments reach the planning committee stage. I am determined that Aylsham will get the funding it needs to help our new communities integrate to the benefit of all in the town.

Aylsham is a wonderful town with an incredible community and it is an honour to be the Chair of the Council here. The Council’s role is to serve its residents and I welcome any ideas and comments from all residents in the area. Please do come to our Council and Committee meetings to see what we are doing on your behalf and please get in touch if you also would like to volunteer with us on one of our interest groups or as a Councillor.

Register of Interests

I moved to Aylsham in 2017 with my partner and two children. We chose Aylsham because of its beautiful historic town centre, strong community spirit and close proximity to all the services we need.

Previously working in various education roles, I have now become a full-time carer to my disabled son and, as a family, we have greatly benefited from living in such a friendly and supportive town.

Being coopted onto the Council in 2023 has given me the opportunity to work alongside residents and fellow councillors to try and make Aylsham an even better place to live. I thoroughly enjoy the role and value the chance to try and make a positive contribution particularly around inclusion and sustainability.

I am involved with the Climate Committee, Cittaslow, Community Events and management of the Recreation Ground as one of the Trustees.

Register of Interests

I joined Aylsham Town Council in 2016. I have been part of different committees, including events, lights and the churchyard. I took a significant role in the production of the Neighbourhood Plan, completing much of the research for the scoping report, the writing of key documents within the Plan and explaining it to a number of groups within the town. I was vice-chairman until December, when I took over as Chairman. I was involved in drafting our reply to the Greater Norwich Local Plan in 2020 and once we learnt in December that Aylsham was now to be allocated two sites rather than one I have lead the response to attempt to have the Plan re-considered. Whatever the result of this campaign as a Town Council we will have to negotiate with the developers and Broadland District Council in respect of the nature of the developments and ensure they comply with the Neighbourhood Plan. I am also part of the group looking at improving Aylsham’s road network.

Register of Interests

The Town Council plays a pivotal role in providing local services and information to established residents and newcomers to the town.

Having been a teacher I’m very interested in the welfare of children and young people. Also, as Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II Trust there is a commitment to the advancement of public education in Aylsham.

I was involved in the completing of the Neighbourhood Plan which sets out to protect the unique features of the town as well as caring for the environment. The Council will now refer to this document as a guide for future development until 2038.

As a Councillor and Vice Chair of the Town Council my role is to represent the people of Aylsham. When moving to the area eight years ago I found the information provided by the Council to be very helpful and my aim is to continue this level of communication by being approachable and supportive.

Register of Interests

Mary also represents the Town Council on the Cressey Henry Page Trust

I moved to Aylsham in 1984 with my wife, son and daughter. After a number of moves within the town we settled in Millgate. I continued with my career in education both locally and in Norwich until my retirement.

A few years ago I became involved with the Steering Group of the Aylsham Neighbourhood Plan as a local resident working with a number of the Town Councillors. This experience encouraged me to become more involved with the Town Council so I managed to be co-opted onto the council in April 2022.

I have found being on the Town Council rewarding and feel as though I am making a positive contribution to the present and future of Aylsham and hopefully making it an even better place to live. Since becoming a councillor I have joined the Community Events Committee and the Properties Committee.

Register of Interests

I have lived in Aylsham for almost 20 years and my family and I are strongly rooted in the town. My son lives locally and my daughter has recently returned, buying what she and her partner describe as their “forever home.” 

As a family, we are invested in Aylsham’s future and we all value the shared spaces, public events, community spirit, successful local businesses, and the historic, attractive and welcoming nature of the town that friends always comment on when they visit.

I believe that these things should never be taken for granted, and that the Town Council plays an essential role in maintaining and building a community that residents can continue to feel proud of, particularly as the town grows and evolves.

While I'm new to local government, my 40 plus years in business have given me experience to draw on. However, the key lesson of my career is that success is never a solo achievement. I have always valued the importance of building trusted, positive relationships with people from all backgrounds and at all stages in life. This collaborative approach is something I hope to bring to my role as a Councillor, contributing to the town’s future in a meaningful and constructive way.

Register of Interests

Register of Interests

Register of Interests

Catherine also represents the Town Council on the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Trust

I am married to Veronika and we have four children, all of whom attended Aylsham schools. We have lived in Aylsham since 1994, when I took up a position as deputy headteacher in a Norwich comprehensive school. I subsequently became headteacher at Sheringham High School and then in 2004 I became head of a Quaker 3-18 day and boarding school in Oxfordshire. We lived in a school house there for 12 years, but kept our home here in Aylsham to which we “retired” in 2016.

I served as a human rights monitor in Palestine for three months in 2019 and continue to advocate for the rights of Palestinians.

We are keen travellers and travel in our little van around Europe in the Spring and Autumn.

I continue to work part time as a school inspector and serve as co-chair of trustees at St Andrews School, Aylmerton. I am also a trustee of a Quaker charity that has oversight of a school in Lebanon.

We are Quakers and worship regularly with Friends in Peggs Yard. Our commitment to the stewardship of the earth’s resources led us to establish the monthly refill/recycle scheme through which we offer to refill bottles with eco-friendly washing up liquid and other products to limit plastic waste – you can catch us each first Saturday of the month in the market place. Through this, we have established close contacts with others involved in ACE, Aylsham’s Climate Emergency Group.

I moved to Aylsham with my wife and two sons in 1986 when the town had a population of less than 5,000 and was sustained by the surrounding local agricultural activity and a thriving livestock market.

Since then, its population has nearly doubled, the livestock market has gone and Aylsham is facing many challenges from large-scale development, changes to the local economy and the High Street, and all the associated pressures on services and infrastructure.

As a regional journalist all my working life, nearly 25 with the Eastern Daily Press, my interest in local affairs has introduced me to many people, organisations, businesses, and the farming industry who have all helped broaden my knowledge of the county.

As a representative of the local community, therefore, I hope to use that knowledge to meet the challenges that Aylsham faces and help preserve its market town heritage and strong sense of community.

Register of Interests

Pat also represents the Town Council at the Blickling Stakeholders meetings