I am extremely excited to be newly elected to represent the West End ward of Hebden Bridge, having moved here in 2019, after 19 years in London, with my wife and son. Hebden Bridge drew us not least for us its vibrant and diverse culture but after living close to the North Circular for a decade, the green and lush valley was a welcome contrast.
I have been working in primary education since 2007, and am currently Deputy Headteacher of Riverside Junior School right in the centre of Hebden. It’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster to say the least, as my hope for a gentle introduction to life in Hebden Royd was swiftly challenged by flooding to the school in February of 2020, and then as we all too readily remember, the pandemic struck in March of the same year.
Running Riverside as a hub school for key worker children and those children deemed vulnerable not just for us, but four other schools in the area, it gave me a crash course in the challenges facing our families in this valley, and perhaps a unique insight to bring to the council as to the consequent fallout since things have supposed to have calmed down, on both children’s and adult’s mental health.
I am therefore delighted to already be on two committees I know are very important to young people here: Climate Emergency and Christmas Lights and Events. We can’t underestimate how much our planet’s future plays on the mind of young people and already with the work completed by my colleague Councillor Harvey, we are presenting an alternate narrative of positivity to show not just children in our valley, but everyone, what is being done that is helping preserve and protect futures. I look forward to furthering this momentum over the next four years.
Personally, I enjoy walking with my family, as hitting the heights on a beautiful Spring day offers new perspectives both literal and figurative, and you might also find me in the Fox and Goose, which I’m lucky enough to call my local.
If you can’t find me there, then you must get in touch, particularly if you live in the West End ward, if you have any ideas or issues to share.
