Make your Trustee vote count as Hungerford Town and Manor goes to the polls again
It’s election time once again for Hungerford Town and Manor and Liberty of Sanden Fee as the charity seeks to appoint five new Trustees to the board.
Six candidates are vying for the five vacant posts, so the charity must hold a poll on Thursday 16th June to decide who will ultimately be elected.
Trustees are busy organising this year’s festivities and its programme of traditional events for townsfolk, which includes Tutti Day crafts and a performance by the Hungerford Town Band, before the festival finishes on St George’s day, Sunday 23rd with the Constable’s Parade and church service.
Events begin with the Selection of the Hocktide Jury on Tuesday 11th April, when, historically, Commoners were selected to serve as jurors who were presented with any proposed amendments to rules governing fishing and grazing rights and had to agree on them.
Other key dates this year are the Macaroni Supper on Friday 14th, Ale Tasting on Monday 17th and the Court Leet on Friday 21st April, when new officers are summoned to court to be sworn in.
Julie Lloyd, Constable for the Town and Manor of Hungerford, said: “A tremendous amount of hard work goes into organising the Hocktide celebrations to ensure its continued success, as it is an event that people in the town look forward to each year.
As a Trustee, you have a wonderful opportunity to influence our agenda to the benefit of the Charity, Hungerford and its residents, while upholding the historical traditions and preserving the ancient rights of the Commoners.
Peter Joseph, The Constable of the Town and Manor
Ellie Dickins, CEO and Returning Officer for the election, said it was an exciting time to be joining the board, adding: “As we start to properly emerge from the pandemic, the charity recognises there is much to be done in support of the local community, as well as the small and medium-size businesses that do so much to drive the local economy.”
The candidates
The six candidates have now submitted their nomination papers, which had to include two signatures, one from the person who nominated them and another seconding their candidacy. They are:
Kate Edwards, a recently-retired teacher who has a long history of volunteering and fund raising.
Geordie Taylor, who has lived in Hungerford for 35 years and is a former Chair of the town’s cricket club.
Jon Dennis, a chartered accountant who has been a Trustee for several years.
Julian Dickins, a current Trustee and solicitor who lives locally and has worked in Hungerford for 26 years.
Alistair Fyfe, a member of Hungerford Town Council, where he holds the post of Chair of Planning.
Simon Lee-Smith, who has worked in the telecoms industry, primarily in procurement and sales.
Kate in her own words
I bring enthusiasm, positivity, problem-solving and a considerable interest in people and their perceptions. Working with a diverse collection of characters and situations throughout my professional, parental and volunteering roles has equipped me with an open-minded approach to life, useful transferrable skills and a very strong desire to contribute positively to my community. I am a recently retired teacher who has had the privilege of 34 years teaching in schools right across the age ranges from A-Level Geography to Reception classes.
Born in Inkpen, living in Kintbury and now Hungerford, I love living in West Berkshire. My three children were all schooled at Inkpen, John O’Gaunt and then St. Barts. They enjoyed the benefits of some of Hungerford’s wonderful organisations including the Scouts, Youth, Netball and Rugby Clubs.
I have a long history of volunteering and fund-raising, including running extra-curricular activities in schools, PTA chairman, school Governor, roles in the Hungerford Scout group from minibus driver to chairman, Crisis at Christmas in London and the Hungerford Allotment Holders’ Association.
I possess a genuine interest in our local history, landscape and ecology, all of which are integral to Hungerford’s character.
I believe that becoming a Trustee of The Town and Manor will allow me to bring all my local knowledge and experience to the benefit of the charity and the wider community of Hungerford.
Geordie in his own words
Having lived in Hungerford for 35 years, I’ve decided to stand for election as a Town & Manor Trustee. My notable achievements include; Chairman of Hungerford Cricket Club for 9 years; Launched & coordinated the town’s response to the pandemic lockdowns; Persuaded GWR to change their timetable to help the vaccination effort; Lobbied the Co-op to smarten their property in our high street.
I believe I have more to offer for the good of the town and look forward to your support.
Born in Inkpen, living in Kintbury and now Hungerford, I love living in West Berkshire. My three children were all schooled at Inkpen, John O’Gaunt and then St. Barts. They enjoyed the benefits of some of Hungerford’s wonderful organisations including the Scouts, Youth, Netball and Rugby Clubs.
I have a long history of volunteering and fund-raising, including running extra-curricular activities in schools, PTA chairman, school Governor, roles in the Hungerford Scout group from minibus driver to chairman, Crisis at Christmas in London and the Hungerford Allotment Holders’ Association.
I possess a genuine interest in our local history, landscape and ecology, all of which are integral to Hungerford’s character.
I believe that becoming a Trustee of The Town and Manor will allow me to bring all my local knowledge and experience to the benefit of the charity and the wider community of Hungerford.
Jon in his own words
I have lived locally for 16 years and am a Charted Accountant and run my own business locally. I have been a trustee for several years and steered the charity through the very turbulent times which was covid. I have brought the charity into the 21st century with respect to budgets, forecasts and management accounts.
This current year will see the first 5 year plan for the T&M!.
Julian in his own words
I have worked in Hungerford for the last 26 years as a solicitor. I’ve also been a trustee of the Town and Manor for over four years and most recently have acted as Buildings Secretary. Following the flood in the town hall last year, I have overseen the refurbishment works and my ambition is to make the corn exchange and Town hall the “go-to venue“ of Hungerford.
I see the Town and Manor as a vital part of Hungerford, and I am keen to preserve its traditions as well as fulfilling Its role in looking after the environment.
Alistair in his own words
I spent 40 years in the Army serving around the world. My last appointment in the Army was the management of 22,000 acres of farm, grassland and multiple training facilities in Kent and East Sussex where conservation was a daily consideration. On retirement, I moved to London to specialise in property management.
I moved to Hungerford in 2019 and immediately joined Hungerford Town Council (HTC) and have been Chair of Planning for 2½ years and sit on all HTC committees. I have been an energetic and enthusiastic member of the council and have been directly responsible for ensuring Hungerford receives additional funding for footpath maintenance, works to Public Rights of Way and the increase in CCTV in the town.
I intend to remain on the Town Council and believe by also being a member of the Town and Manor, I can bring a degree of synergy and coordination and help both organisations continue to promote Hungerford, its unique heritage and traditions, and protect the surrounding countryside..
Simon in his own words
My family and I moved into Church Street last July, having lived outside Newbury for the last 16 years. I have worked in the Telecoms industry for most of my career, although previously I held various commercial roles in FMCG and in brewing working for Scottish Courage. I have run Procurement, multi-national sales and various global business development functions. I work for Vodafone and am responsible for our Small and Medium Business (SMB) Strategy and Transformation globally, which reflects my passion to support smaller businesses that are the growth engine for economic recovery and the increasing trend to localised, experience-based business.
I am keen to leverage my experience and the unique heritage of the Town and Manor of Hungerford and the liberty of Sanden Fee to support the continued development of Hungerford, represent Sanden Fee Commoners, such as myself, and benefit the local community.
In my spare time, I play golf more than rugby, football and cricket these days, I support 3 daughters in multiple sports including hockey and am now beginning my journey into fly fishing!
Last elections
The last Trustees’ election was held in June 2019, when 10 members were elected to the board for terms of either three or six years. Five of those 10 are standing down in rotation for a new 6-year term.
Who can vote
Voting in the election on June 16th is open to a select group of the town’s electorate living in what the charity defines as the Area of Benefit within the former ancient parish boundary.
Eligible voters live in the Hungerford Town tithing and tithing of Sanden Fee, which covers the majority of Hungerford, excluding an area to the north of the River Dun. In common with parliamentary elections, eligible voters must also be 18 and on the electoral roll.
The election process The Town and Manor of Hungerford uses is unusual, as the majority of charities appoint their trustees via an internal selection process rather than through a public election. The charity sees holding a public vote as a vital part of ensuring they have a democratic mandate to continue their work.
Find out more
If this is of interest and you’d like to become a Trustee, you can find out more from any of our existing Trustees or our CEO, Ellie Dickins, at ellie@townandmanor.co.uk
