Ashford Lib Dems Announce Experienced County Council Team

11.19.48pm GMT Mon 21st Mar 2005

George Koowaree and Geoff English Outside County Hall

Ashford Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the forthcoming County Council elections in May.

Ashford East - George Koowaree

George won the Ashford South-East seat of Kent County Council in April 2004 in the by-election to fill the vacancy following the death of Liberal Democrat Fred Winslade. George was born in Mauritius and came to this country in 1957. He retired two years ago after a career in nursing in the Ashford area. George has been an active borough councillor for North Willesborough since 1987. He was elected leader of the Liberal Democrat Group of Ashford Borough Council in 2001.

Ashford Rural West - Geoff English

Geoff was Ashford Borough councillor for Smarden and Egerton from 1995 to 2003, and was vice chair of the Planning Committee. His wife Eileen represented Pluckley and Little Chart for 16 years. A former Senior Lecturer at South Kent College and involved in education at all levels, Geoff was governor of 3 local schools (former Chair and now vice Chair at Smarden). Former churchwarden and church treasurer, current member Ashford Deanery Synod. Member WKPS, Friends of the Earth, CPRE.

Ashford South - Robert Packham

Robert is an Ashford Borough Councillor for Victoria Ward, Chairman of Ashford Town Liberal Democrats and an English Council representative for the South of England. He has lived in Ashford for 16 years.

Ashford Central - Robert Cowley

Robert lives and works in Ashford. He is an Ashford Borough Councillor for Victoria Ward. He is very interested in transport and how best to move forward in the future; with so much construction going on in Kent, the transporting of people is very important, whether it be by bus, car or the train, high speed or otherwise.

Ashford Rural South - Emily Neighbour

Emily lives in Hamstreet and is the Parish Clerk for Orlestone and Appledore Parish Councils. She is keen to represent the rural parish view at County, and having two teenage children has a strong interest in improving educational opportunities for all. She is also actively interested in protecting the natural environment, doing voluntary work for English Nature and The Woodland Trust.

Ashford Rural East - Stuart Dove

Stuart was born and educated in Canterbury and has been a GP in Ashford for 27 years, living in Brabourne throughout that time. He is married with three sons. He has a particular interest in the countryside and environment of Kent, but if elected will make all its problems his concern.

Tenterden - Barry Wright

Barry is a Freeman of the City of London. He has served Tenterden as a town councillor for 20 years, the last two as Deputy Mayor; and four years on Ashford Borough Council. Who better qualified and experienced to represent your interests at County where the power really is!