Wealden Liberal Democrats

ANNE BLAKE-COGGINS - LibDem District Council candidate for HAILSHAM SOUTH

Anne Blake-Coggins is the Liberal Democrat Wealden District Council candidate for Hailsham South and is also standing for Hailsham Town Council.

Anne is a semi-retired health professional and has lived in Hailsham for half her adult life. She has a binding passion for care for the elderly in our community. Married for forty years to Gavin Blake-Coggins, she has raised her family in the town - her grandchildren all attend local schools. She has been a Scout leader, setting up a local Beaver group and she is a Trustee of a Women's charity supporting women in the workplace.

Anne has previously been a Hailsham Town councillor and is committed to finding solutions to pressing problems in the town, and to properly representing the needs of the community. For example, Anne says she is determined to see further measures introduced to reduce the dangerous traffic speed on South road (the present crossing is the result of Anne's previous campaign many years ago).

Chris Bowers is the LibDem's Parliamentary spokesperson for Wealden, and has previously stood for election in Wealden wards, but this time is standing as a District Council candidate in his own 3-member ward of Ouse Valley & Ringmer along with fellow LibDem candidates Victoria Vincent and Malcolm Welsh.

ALISON ARTHUR - LibDem District Council candidate for CROWBOROUGH SOUTH WEST

Alison Arthur has lived in Crowborough for the past 23 years, and is deeply committed to the community where all three of her children were born. In addition to being a Governor at two local schools, Alison has volunteered on four school PTAs since 2004, and also supports several local charities.

KATRINA BEST - LibDem District Council candidate for the Wealden ward of CHIDDINGLY, EAST HOATHLY & WALDRON

Katrina Best moved to Chiddingly with her Canadian-born husband Alan and their two children just over two years ago, and loves being part of this friendly and vibrant community. An author & freelance writer/editor by profession, Katrina is actively involved with the community-owned and run Chiddingly Village Shop & Cafe, both as a volunteer and on the Management Board, as well as with the Chiddingly Arts Festival. She is also standing independently as a candidate for the Chiddingly Parish Council.

GAVIN BLAKE-COGGINS - LibDem District Council candidate for HAILSHAM EAST

Gavin Blake-Coggins is the Liberal Democrat District Council candidate for Hailsham East, and is also standing for Hailsham Town Council.

Gavin has lived in Hailsham for over 30 years and enjoys being part of the community of the town. He has been married for 40 years to Anne Blake-Coggins with whom he has two children and six grandchildren, who all also live in the town.

Now retired, Gavin's main career was in Medicine, and he continues to care about people; his casework with local residents on a personal level has been greatly appreciated. He has valuable experience in local politics, having previously represented Hailsham on East Sussex County Council as well as serving on Hailsham Town council. He is also currently Chair of Hailsham Forward Stakeholders group.

BRUCE MEREDEEN - Liberal Democrat District Council candidate for the Wealden ward of FRANT & WADHURST

Bruce Meredeen is a 60-year-old self-employed computer engineer who has lived for 16 years in Wadhurst, where his business is based. His two children attended Uplands Community College and he's been a Liberal Democrat party member for the past two years. "For far too long, Frant and Wadhurst have had only Conservative District Councillors," says Bruce. "Their party has not only failed people locally, but has failed the country and is responsible for the potential disaster of - especially a no-deal - Brexit."

KAY DEWICK - LibDem District Council candidate for the newly created Wealden ward of UPPER WILLINGDON

Kay Dewick is well known locally, having previously been a Wealden District Councillor and the former Chair of the Eastbourne Liberal Democrats. She has lately been very involved with the local fight against the unsuitable Brodrickland development (which is literally at the end of her road, Dutchells Way) and is a member of the Brodricksland Group. She is also on the Board of Trustees at Towner Art Gallery.

TIM MURRAY - LibDem District Council candidate for UCKFIELD NORTH

Tim Murray moved to Uckfield with his family over 20 years ago, knowing it was where they wanted to put down roots and raise their children. "We were attracted by this wonderful, small, family-friendly town between the Ashdown Forest and South Downs," he says. "From here I have travelled to work all over Britain, Europe and the world, advising business and public bodies in getting the best value from the money they spend on goods and services." Tim also quickly became active in the local community, including serving as a governor at Manor Primary School for 12 years.

JAMES EDWARDS - Liberal Democrat District Council candidate for the new Wealden ward of UCKFIELD RIDGEWOOD & LITTLE HORSTED

James Edwards is a music educator, working both as a private tutor for individual pupils (his instruments include guitar and ukulele) and with a local music service, providing music education to many of the primary schools in the area. James lives in Uckfield with Ciara, his wife of two years, and has already become involved in many local groups and initiatives, including being set to join Uckfield Town Council (Ridgewood ward).

VANESSA ROWLANDS - Liberal Democrat District Council candidate for the Wealden ward of SOUTH DOWNS

Vanessa Rowlands has lived in Litlington, in the Cuckmere Valley, for the past 16 years, so has established deep roots in the area and become an active member of the local community. "It's where my husband and I have brought up our three children," she says. Before moving to Sussex and starting a family, Vanessa worked in the music industry for over ten years, and now plans to start an MA in Heritage, a subject she is passionate about, at Sussex University in the autumn.