THAME.NET is inviting all the local candidates for Election 2015, for a short profile. The following are from from Bob Austin and Catherine Jones, who are both standing as Independent candidates in the Thame South Ward, in the Parish Council elections, on May 7.
CATHERINE JONES: I moved to Thame in 1994 when my husband left the army. Having lived in numerous places we decided to settle in Thame, because of the delightful town centre, the good schools and the real feeling of community that we found here. It is a decision I have never regretted for a second. I have three children who were educated at John Hampden School and Lord Williams’s – two of whom still live locally.
I left school at 18 and was an army officer for 8 years. When I had to give up my career for family reasons, I started writing books. To date I have had 18 published – 2 non-fiction works and 16 novels.
I have always believed in giving back what I owe to organisations or communities that have helped or supported me and my family. I was a very active member of the John Hampden PTA and was on the Schoolhouse 2000 committee. I was also on the committee of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for 10 years, serving as secretary, PR officer, vice-chairman and, finally, chairman. Now I want to serve on the local council so I can repay something to this wonderful town.
I am standing as an independent so I can make my own decisions about what I feel might be best for the town. I am keen to see Thame grow and develop but within the structure of our agreed neighbourhood plan so we don’t lose our terrific town centre, its sense of community and its vibrancy – all the things that attracted me here over twenty years ago.
BOB AUSTIN: MY primary objective as a councillor will be to focus on the maintenance of Thame’s character as a market town in a period when that character is under threat from potential, misplaced, overdevelopment. That character must include the continued vitality of the town centre – a vitality that is being threatened by the prospect of an edge of town superstore.
I also want to ensure that Thame’s infrastructure will meet future demands as development happens and not when it’s too late. Parking is a priority for the Town and District Councils and we need to ensure that the County Council provides adequate health and education facilities for the growing number of residents.
I have been a resident in Thame for 28 years and brought up a family with my wife, Jenny. After a career as a Chartered Accountant, Finance Director and Chief Executive, I am now retired but endeavour to keep busy. I have a keen interest in Archaeology and obtained a degree from Reading University as a mature student. Also, since retirement I have worked, for a period, as a volunteer adviser at the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and as a Teaching Assistant at Lord Williams’s School- until part time child minding of grandchildren came to the fore. I am Chairman of the East Thame Residents Association and a member of the steering group of the ‘Thame Centre First Campaign’.
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