Residents of Chilton have an extra reason to go out to vote on Thursday.
For the first time for many years there is to be an election for the Parish Council.
This is part of a District wide trend since this year there are 15 Parish Council elections across Babergh. This, according to Pat Rockall, the Returning Officer, is a record! I am not quite sure why there should be this sudden spate of local activism, but in any event it is a healthy sign that democracy is alive and well.
Residents of Chilton will have received a leaflet giving them short biographies of the eight candidates who are competing for seven slots.
They are, in alphabetical order:-
Martin Brody, who is a retired Chartered Surveyor living in Waldingfield Road
Peter Clifford of Grange Farm, who has been the Chairman of the Parish Council for the past eight years
Richard Edgeley who has farmed in Chilton for over 40 years and is a past Chairman of the Parish Council.
Eileen Gore, who is an active member of the Friends of Chilton Church
Stephen Graham, who lives in Hilltop, and who has been Vice Chairman of the Council for the past two years
Valerie Hart, who lives at Chilton Hall, and who is a solicitor
Veryan Herbert, who used to live at Chilton Hall, and who has been a Parish Councillor in Chilton for over 30 years
Keith Shapley, a retired technical director, who lives in St Mary’s Close, has served on the Parish Council for 12 years.
Having met all the candidates I think that they are all first rate and that it will be a tough call for Chilton residents to pick the best seven!
The Chilton Annual Parish Meeting will be held tomorrow evening, Tuesday, at the Resource Centre at 7.30 p.m. In addition to the usual business, there will be a presentation about the new health facility in Church Field Road.
