Helen Yeo, Rural Tunbridge Wells: ‘I was fortunate to move back to the area four years ago and I really appreciate how beautiful the landscape is and how important our local communities are. Having worked in the NHS for over a decade, I have seen how societal injustice has had a huge negative impact on the nation’s health. The Green Party’s vision of a healthy society for all is one that I fully share; it means good quality housing, clean water and material security for all, accessible public services and a clean, safe environment. I am a keen supporter of local initiatives to promote dark skies, create new habitats and reintroduce native species.’
Mark McBennett, Southborough & Bidborough: ‘I’m a local dad and love living in Tunbridge Wells, with all its green spaces, cultural facilities, excellent schools, and convenient train access to both London and the coast. But above all I love the vibrant communities that I’ve become part of here. I believe that connecting with people is the key to real change. I recently started a fortnightly support group for men in Tunbridge Wells and am offering counselling to students at a secondary school in Southborough. I also make time to be actively involved in environmental issues. I hope to help make Tunbridge Wells a fairer, greener council in what is a ‘now or never’ decade for the environment.’
Evelien Hurst-Buist, Pembury & Capel: ‘I’m the Tunbridge Wells Green Party’s litter-picking champion and I collect bags of waste in Broadwater, Pantiles, Lamberhurst and Pembury. I regularly speak to motorists idling near our local school and if elected I would add stopping idling to the duties of traffic wardens.’
John Hurst, Cranbrook, Sissinghurst & Frittenden: ‘I’m a retired Engineering Manager, with an interest in local planning, and an eye for figures! I calculated that the Local Plan placed 50% of new houses in the Green Belt, and highlighting that during the Plan’s inspection may have contributed to the Planning Inspector rejecting the Tudely estate. I supported local residents’ successful campaign to stop a development on Elphick’s Place in Pantiles Ward, and exposed the illegal felling of trees in Broadwater Down. I am the Tunbridge Wells Green Party’s Parliamentary Candidate, and like everyone I can’t wait for the General Election to be called!’
Geoff Mason, Rural Tunbridge Wells: ‘My family and I have lived in Goudhurst for 27 years. I am a Councillor on Goudhurst Parish Council and am working hard to increase diversity and protect wildlife for example by helping our endangered swifts and hedgehogs. I started the Wild About Goudhurst, Kilndown and Lamberhurst Group together with Goudhurst’s Plan Bee to focus on what we can do as a community to protect our beautiful countryside. I’m passionate about community energy and better insulating our homes to reduce carbon footprints and deliver lower energy bills. Sustainability, social justice and grassroots democracy is at the heart of everything I do.’
Trevor Bisdee, Paddock Wood: ‘I have lived in Paddock Wood for over 10 years. By day I’m a postie and I see the difficulties people are facing as I walk the streets – and drive into potholes left by cash-starved councils. I want to prevent overdevelopment and preserve our green spaces, I want to put my energy into restoring nature as opposed to concreting over it.’
Debs Keech, Hawkhurst, Sandhurst & Benenden: ‘I have lived in Sandhurst since 2017 and previously Hastings for almost 40 years. I have many years experience of working in both central and local government and was a trustee for a local charity in Hastings for two and a half years. I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the countryside, the landscape and wildlife of which, deserves our protection for future generations. As a councillor, I would like to see an improvement in local public transport and a community hub where local residents can come for friendly advice and support on a variety of issues.’
Steph Gandon, Rusthall & Speldhurst: ‘I am an operations professional who has lived in Rusthall and the wider Tunbridge Wells borough for the best part of ten years. I am passionate about maintaining and improving our environment, with a particular interest in the health of our waterways and marine ecosystems. I want to ensure that we have the clean rivers and abundant coastal ecosystems we desperately need for the good health of our wider ecosystem. I spend my free time training as a scuba diver, taking part in re-enactments and painting.’
Jenny Fox, Rural Tunbridge Wells: ‘Having grown up in Tunbridge Wells and now living in beautiful Lamberhurst, I know what wonderful communities the local villages contain and their wellbeing must be maintained. I am keen to encourage an environment that works for both people and animals using resources in a sustainable and efficient way. As I work in education with a focus on Forest School I see the importance of giving our children the best possible start in life by providing positive experiences in their early childhood and supporting their families in our community.’
For a fairer, greener Tunbridge Wells – Vote Green!