Your Councillors
Paul Harding (Chairman)
I am currently employed in the public sector within the law enforcement community. Having moved to Banwell in 2008 to be with my now wife, after some years not getting involved, I joined the Parish Council in 2014 to meet new people in the village and help make Banwell a better place to live.
I can't solve the traffic, but I am committed to making the Parish Council, more modern, efficient, and relevant. The more we are all on line, the less people communicate. You will see me wandering around the village with the Parish, second-hand dog. I am the one with the panama or trilby, depending on the season. Happy to stop and chat about local issues any time.
Email: paul.harding@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 822017 / 07974 392245
Address: 1 Littlefields Road, Banwell
Committees: Planning, Youth & Community Centre & Employment.
Working Parties: Cemetery & Memorials, Sustainability, Wolvershill Development Liaison & Wolvershill Development.
Outside Bodies: Avon Local Council Association and NSC Standards sub-committee.
Other: Vehicle Activated Speed sign, weekly play area visual checks
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Steve Voller (Vice Chairman)
I work in the software industry which has seen me and my family live abroad before returning to the UK and settling in Banwell in 2003. Our two boys both went to Banwell Primary School and Churchill Academy.
Banwell is a growing parish so we need to work hard to keep a community spirit and to make it a positive area to live, learn, work and play in. Banwell’s going to change over the coming years. We need to reclaim our village from the traffic, welcome newcomers and get the right balance between residents in the village and those outside it.
I’m used to getting things done and bring a ‘can-do’ spirit to my work as a parish councillor. I’ll work collaboratively with other councillors at parish and district level to make our collective voice heard.
My interests vary between flying, keeping fit, riding a motorbike (SORN’d at the moment sadly) and appreciating the area we live in. Often that’s while being walking our goldendoodle – feel free to stop and chat to me as he usually gets all the attention.
Email: steve.voller@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: The Grange, 60b West Street
Phone: 07977 536145
Working Groups: Sustainability, Wolvershill Development Liaison & Wolvershill Development.
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Simon Arlidge
My wife and I have lived in Banwell for 23 years and in that time have grown to both love the area and the many super friends we have made. However, Banwell faces many challenges in the coming years - not the least of which is maintaining its village identity. As a recent retiree, I hope my experience can help support the community to develop strategies that will enhance and secure Banwell's future.
My background is varied. Leaving school early I worked as a supervisor in a cement factory (London), journalist, hotel owner (Australia) and as an academic for the last 25 years specialising in rural land management (Bristol). I have many passions! I have been a lifelong motorcyclist; love songwriting and playing the guitar; walking through landscapes and have many strong links still with Australia which I visit regularly.
Email: simon.arlidge@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07956 030305
Committees: Employment, Planning
Working Groups: Sustainability, Wolvershill Development
Address: Epworth, Wolvershill Road
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Mike Bailey
I have lived in North Somerset for 37 years and since 2019 in Banwell I have worked in the Printing industry for 46 years travelling to many parts of Europe.
My wife Viv and myself have 3 grown up children who all live within a 30-minute drive.
Viv has recently retired from a lifelong career in nursing and has totally embraced village life, joining in several village groups such as coffee morning, Banwell WI and the Village choir.
We both volunteered for the Covid clinics at the Banwell Surgery.
My main passion is rugby at all levels and the environment.
As a new Parish Councillor, I hope to work with my fellow Councillors to make Banwell a better place for everyone to enjoy.
Email: mike.bailey@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 29 Church Street,
Phone: 07576 446400
Committees: Appeals
Working Parties: Sustainability & Wolvershill Development
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Paul Blatchford
I moved from Manchester to Banwell with my family in 2003 and both my children attended Churchill School. I worked in Art and Design education for 35 years retiring in 2013 as an Associate Dean at the University of the West of England. One of my last roles at UWE was overseeing a large building project which got me interested in Planning issues, which was why I initially joined the Parish Council.
Having served the Council for 7 years I now have a much broader understanding of the issues facing the Parish and enjoy working with the other councillors and parishioners to help make Banwell a better place.
Email: paul.blatchford@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 820769
Address: 5 Church Street, Banwell BS29 6EA
Committees: Planning (Vice Chairman), Employment (Chairman)
Working Parties: Cemetery & Memorials and Wolvershill Development.
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Steve Davies
I have lived in the village my whole life and enjoy bell ringing, reading, archaeology and researching my family history. Over the years I have seen Banwell change in many ways some for the better some for the worse. I am passionate about preserving the historic nature of the village and getting a bypass.
Email: steve.davies@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 01934 822245
Address: 10 Church Street, Banwell, BS29 6EA
Committees: Planning and Appeals
Working Parties: Cemetery & Memorials
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Nick Manley
I was born and raised in Bedfordshire and, after living in London for several years, moved to Banwell in 2017 with my family.
I work as a civil servant for the Planning Inspectorate and since moving to the village I was taken aback at the village’s history and how warm and welcoming everyone was. I joined the Parish council shortly afterwards with an aim to becoming more involved with the local community and thoroughly enjoy working with my other councillors to help improve Banwell.
Email: nick.manley@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07973 414019
Address: 'The Lawns', 2, High Street, Banwell.
Committees: Planning (Chairman), Youth & Community Centre (Chairman)
Working Groups: Wolvershill Development Liaison & Wolvershill Development.
Other: Defibrillator Guardian
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Maggie McCarthy
I was born and bred in Banwell at 6 Castle Hill (the Rhoddy) and my family roots go back 9 generations of Banwellians. My Grandparents Jack and Mabel Gardner ran a grocers and paper shop on the Rhoddy till 1964. I went to Banwell Primary school then at the age of 11 I left the village with my Mum and step father who was in the RAF. I kept links with the village all my life through my 2 brothers who have bowled at Banwell Bowling Club since the seventies.
I currently work in retail at Cheddar Caves. I have 2 grown up children and 5 grandchildren. I am passionate about preserving the village heritage to pass down to future generations and I am secretary of Banwell Society of Archaeology and local history.
I decided to join the council 2 years ago to help safeguard our traditions and stop over developing the village where possible. I love being on the Parish Council and enjoy participating with all aspects of village life.
Email: maggie.mccarthy@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Telephone: 07975 727996
Address: Woodcutters Barn, Riverside, BS29 6EE
Committees: Youth & Community Centre (Vice CHairman) & Employment
Working Parties: Cemetery and Memorials
Outside Bodies: St Andrews PCC
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Kelly Smith
I moved to Banwell with my parents in 1998, my husband is from Banwell and both of our children attended Banwell Primary School and Churchill Academy.
I am a full-time nurse where my main interest is inequalities, deprivation, and young families.
Banwell is a great community to live in, and I have enjoyed growing up here.
As a new councillor, I hope to work together with others to ensure it continues to thrive.
Email: kelly.smith@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 14, Church Street
Phone: 07590 115521
Working Groups: Sustainability
Outside Bodies: Banwell Allotment Society, Banwell Scouting Association and Banwell Village Hall.
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Nina Thain
Photograph on its way...
Email: nina.thain@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 5, Porters Drive, Mead Fields, Banwell.
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Matthew Thomson
My wife’s family have lived in Banwell for the better part of 50 years. She was born and raised here, but we met in Plymouth at University (I grew up in Devon). After leaving Plymouth to further our careers, we returned to the family home in Banwell whilst commuting to jobs in Bristol. After a time, we moved to Bristol to avoid the commute, but moved back to Banwell in August 2021 realising that city life isn’t for us, and because we’ve recently had a son, we wanted him to grow up close to family and in a rural setting.
I’m currently employed as a Civil Servant, but previously worked in Higher Education for several years. As soon as we returned to Banwell, I knew I wanted to join the parish council. Part of this is to learn about how government works at its lowest level, and the other part is to proactively be a part of it. Our extended family lives in the village, and I want to help make Banwell as good a place to live as possible.
You might see me walking around with my son and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Always happy to meet new people and have a chat, so if you see me feel free to say high and bring up any issues you might want discussing.
Email: matthew.thomson@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Address: 73 High Street,
Phone: 07415 788727
Committees: Planning, Youth & Community Centre & Employment Appeals.
Working Parties: Sustainability & Wolvershill Development
Other: Weekly play area visual checks; Vehicle Activated Speed sign
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.
Tara Wright
I moved to Banwell from Bristol in 2020 and was sworn in as a member of the Parish Council in August 2022. I am delighted to be supporting and representing the community on local matters.
I have a strong interest in providing positive opportunities for young people, having worked in education previously for 16 years and having served as a primary school governor for 4.
In my professional roles I have specialised in youth mental health, wellbeing and safeguarding. I also take an active interest in sustainability and environmental issues.
Email: tara.wright@banwellparishcouncil.org.uk
Committees: Youth & Community Centre
Working Parties: Sustainability
Outside Bodies: Banwell School Community Governor
Declaration: Click here for a copy of the members Declaration of Interests.