I have been an active member of the local Conservative Party since 1997 and before becoming a Councillor held various voluntary posts as a ward and constituency officer. For a number of years at each local election from 2000, I either ran or helped organise campaigns in various wards throughout the City, as well as at the 2005 General election in the-then Sunderland South constituency
I then had four very enjoyable years representing the people of St. Chad’s from 2007-11, but my main base for politics in Sunderland has always been St Michael’s ward, where I have lived for nearly 65 years and been a Councillor since 2014.
In the Council my main interests are housing and planning so the Committees on which I am, and have been an elected member for many years, reflect those issues. However the day-to-day ward work and being part of an East Area Committee that can help fund many hardworking and deserving groups/charities, mainly within St Michael’s but also in neighbouring wards, are the parts of being a Councillor that I enjoy the most.
In addition, I serve as a trustee of both the George Hudson Charity and the Sunderland Orphanage and Educational Foundation, while I am also a member of the St Michael's Community Centre Management Board.
I am also part of the Sunderland Old Township Heritage Society and have helped to organise the Annual Victoria Hall Disaster Memorial Services.
