The Council

Do you think you have what it takes to join this team?

Do you feel you could support other councillors to get jobs done?

Maybe you have a vision for Peasedown St John you have been waiting for somebody else to do?

Come, join us and make your dream a reality for the benefit of everyone in Peasedown St John

Read the stories of our current councillors below

Your Councillors

Jonathan Rich

Councillor

Chair of the Council

Send me an email

"I am pleased to say that I have lived in Peasedown St John all my life. I went to the local primary school & attended Writhlington school. I am passionate about my community and previously served for nearly 12 years as a Parish Councillor until Jan 2011. I was the vice chair for 4 years.

I am determined to bring about positive change for all within my neighbourhood and I want to use my experience to ensure that the Parish Council is equipped to properly serve the people of Peasedown St John.’ I believe that Peasedown St John deserves a consistent Parish Council which puts people’s needs first."

Fiona Carr

Councillor

Send me an email

"I live in Peasedown St John, where I am an unpaid carer for my husband, John, a stroke survivor. I am a campaigner for Britain's growing numbers of unpaid carers. As a villager, my priority is to reverse the decline in public services, starting with transport."

John Ogilvie-Davidson

Councillor

Planning Committee Chair

Send me an email

"Although originally from Aberdeen Scotland, I have lived in Peasedown St John for 36 years. I first moved into this wonderful village to an old terraced house just off of the main street, in 1988, with my wife. We have 2 children who were born and have lived here all their lives. I have extensive experience in project and financial management and now being partially retired and having time to devote I can use those skills as part of the Parish Council, giving back to the community and residents a service that this village deserves."

Jo Davis

Councillor

Send me an email

"I've lived in Peasedown for over 24 years and have been a Parish Councillor for 12 years of those. I'm proud to have been part of bringing in so many improvements to Peasedown over the last decade or more, including the new skate park, the play park upgrades and the installation of the multi-use games facility. As well as working as a team towards those goals I have been a member of committees as well, including the Finance & Governance committee and the Planning Committee. I'm looking forward to getting more work done in the next few years to make our village the best it can be."

Kathy Thomas

Councillor

Amenities & Facilities Committee Chair

Send me an email

“I have lived in the parish for 45 years, and during that time have seen many changes. There have been many improvements; the village is now well regarded. I am particularly interested in the care and development of our public open spaces and I am looking forward to continuing to serve the residents of the parish.

My priority during my time as Chair will be to ensure that we improve our communications within the Parish Council, between Councillors and Staff and between the Parish Council and the public.”

Mandy Clarke

Councillor

Send me an email

"Being an active member of the village has always been something I’ve believed to be important. We all have a responsibility to look after the community in which we live in, which was why I decided to become a councillor back in 2011.

Over those years, and before, I’ve helped set up the Peasedown Residents Association, where I currently serve as Secretary. We organise parties for children and meals for the elderly. We’ve also raised £2,000 to fund social events.

Since 2005 I’ve been an active member of various groups over the years, such as St John’s Church, Mercy in Action, Party in the Park and the Fund for Peasedown."

$Richard$

Richard 'Tex' Clarke

Councillor

Send me an email

"I’ve lived in Peasedown for 20 years, and moved to Clandown in 2020, and have been active in the Peasedown community for most of that time.

I was part of the project team that helped to transform The Green area in Frederick and Albert Avenues, and today I serve as joint Vice-Chair of the Residents' Association.

I’m also an active member of St John's Church and a founding member of the Friendly Bees.

I enjoy representing the views of the residents at Parish Council meetings."

Audrey Gillard-Sprake

Councillor

Send me an email

"I have lived in Peasedown St John for the last 35 years, my family live in the village also I am married to Mr Les Sprake.

I worked in our local Pharmacy for eight years. I volunteer at Radstock Museum on the Education team helping children to learn the area's history.

I would be happy to concentrate on things to the improve the future of the village for everyone. Planning for new homes or parks, gardens or the environment I will find interesting."

Gavin Heathcote

Councillor

Send me an email

"I live with my wife and daughter here in Peasedown a village we fell in love with over 10 years ago. I sit not only as a parish councillor but also as ward councillor for Peasedown on BANES Council. I have and always will continue to do what is best for the community with the help and support of residents we can keep Peasedown an amazing place to live."

Simon Kidd

Councillor

Staffing Committee Chair

Send me an email

“Originally from the Teesside area, I went to University in South Wales and moved to Peasedown St John in 1995. I have lived here ever since. My children were born and raised here, and I consider Peasedown my home. I am particularly keen to look at the communications between the Parish Council and the community. To make the best use of differing communications media to reach the majority of people and create a public facing, open council. In particular internet publishing and how to deliver information can be done quickly, cheaply and effectively.”

Andy Larcombe

Councillor

Finance & Governance Committee Chair

Send me an email

"I'm originally from Cornwall, I have recently retired after a 38 year career in branch banking which took me to many parts of the West Country until I settled in Peasedown, with my wife and daughters, 20 years ago. I believe my financial experience and specialism in mortgages & relationship management, can assist on the budgetary and planning matters within the council. I also enjoy getting involved in projects to benefit the village, my early retirement allows me more time to help with the council’s initiatives and operations.

I believe local politics are best served by focusing on local issues and I am proud to be an independent councillor allowing me the freedom to represent my village with my own moral compass of treating everyone fairly, acting with integrity and always aiming to ensure every decision we make as a council delivers progress to a better life for those we serve, the residents of Peasedown St John."

Conor Ogilvie-Davidson

Councillor

Vice-Chair of the Council

Send me an email

"I have been fortunate to live in Peasedown my entire life, going to school in Wellow, then Writhlington and progressing to study Marketing at Bath Spa University to Masters level.

I went on to study for a further Masters qualification whilst working in the sports industry, but now I am the Town Clerk of Glastonbury.

With my pride in our village and understanding of local government, I hope to be able to make a positive contribution whilst I am on Council. I am particularly proud of leading on the design and installation of the Coal Mining Cart Planters, the Refurbishment of the Bath Road Telephone Kiosk and the Platinum Jubilee Garden.”

Les Sprake

Councillor

Send me an email

"Originally raised in Dorset, I spent most of my life in Somerset. I am now retired after 25 years working as a Facilities Manager for an American Mintoil Company in Frome. I have been married to Audrey (my second marriage) for the last 13 years. We live in the Eckweek part of the village, close to the cemetery. I am a dog owner and keep an eye on the village when walking my dog around the area."