1991 – 2nd May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

Elected

*Michael Francis CokerConservative Party
*Jack BastockLiberal Democrats
Haydn Alan ThomasLiberal Democrats
Enys Parthenia ThomasLiberal Democrats
Helen PavierLiberal Democrats
Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats

Not Elected

*Kenneth RawnsleyConservative Party
*John Anthony CookeConservative Party
John WilesConservative Party
Maureen WestConservative Party
*John Edward HatfieldConservative Party
Michael Jonathan MorrisLiberal Democrats
Geoffrey Ernest CleaveLabour Party
Henry ScarboroughLabour Party
Muriel JohnstonLabour Party
Jill MurdochLabour Party
Rosemary May EllisLabour Party

St. John’s Ward (6 seats)

Elected

*Pauline Winifred EdwardsConservative Party
*Peggy Grace CoxConservative Party
*Robert Ronald WoollerConservative Party
*Leslie Graham WindybankConservative Party
Felicity Gena BunkerConservative Party
Marjorie Helen WeaverConservative Party

Not Elected

Muriel BastockLiberal Democrats
Frences Marilyn DutsonLiberal Democrats
Grace Lillian GunterLiberal Democrats
Barbara WardLiberal Democrats
Christopher John PayneLabour Party
Thomas SwallowLabour Party
Helen Maria RufflesLabour Party
David PeggsLabour Party
Brenda May PayneLabour Party
Diana Margaret BashamLabour Party

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

Elected

*Thomas Anthony DaltonConservative Party
*Spencer Charlton HarrisonConservative Party
Peter John DurrantConservative Party
Joanna Mary IllingworthConservative Party

Not Elected

Eric Lewis DealLiberal Democrats
Judith Ann RawsonLiberal Democrats
Dennis Edmond RoystonLiberal Democrats
Vera Maud RoystonLiberal Democrats
Robert Guy FieldLabour Party
Robin Rain WinnLabour Party
Anthony BowenLabour Party

*denotes retiring members

LIB-DEMS MUSCLE IN

Following the rout of 1987, the Liberal Democrats now have four new seats on the council. But the Tories still have a six seat majority.

The Liberal Democrats who got elected were husband and wife team of Haydn and Enys Thomas, who return to the council, with newcomers Helen Pavier and Pat Ryan. Jack Bastock kept his seat as well as winning back his seat on the District Council, which he lost eight years ago. He said “I’m very pleased. We can certainly have some good open debates now. The people of Kenilworth elected me, so I shall certainly be putting Kenilworth first”.

It was Abbey Ward that did all the damage for the Tories, where three of their high profile members failed to be re-elected. Kenneth Rawnsley, John Cooke and John Hatfield, being the casualties. Rawnsley and Cooke also lost their District Council seats.

Mr Rawnsley has dominated local politics since 1967, when he was first elected to the old KUDC. He was Mayor twice, and has been the leader of the District Council since it was created in 1973. The shocked 67 year-old retired BT sales superintentent, says he is already making plans for the future. “I believe I have great knowledge of local government, which I want to put to use. I hope to continue in public life”. He added; “The district and town were my life, I’ve been around a long time”. He believes there was a protest vote in Abbey ward against government issues such as the poll tax. Kenilworth people might also have been influenced by his decision to abstain from voting in the Eagle Lane planning application.

John Hatfield, after eight years on the council was also a disappointed man, he was due to become the next Mayor. But he said “I shall be back, they haven’t heard the last of me. I still have just as much influence, perhaps more. The council meetings are only a tenth of the work I did for the town, people will still come to me with their problems”. He is angry that national politics influenced voters. “We were the ones fighting against these cuts”. He also believes the long list of 17 names on the ballot paper confused many voters.

John Cooke, although he lost his town seat, is still a county councillor, where he will be taking over the chairmanship of the Social Services Committee in June. Mr Cooke, aged 33, said he would miss the town council where he started his political career back in 1979, but doesn’t take the result personally. He was Mayor in 1986/7.

Park Hill was dominated by the Tories. Tony Dalton and Spencer Harrison were re-elected plus two new faces to the council, Joanna Illingworth and Peter Durrant.

Kenilworth Town Councillors (16 seats)

11 Conservatives (T. Dalton, S. Harrison, P. Durrant, J. Illingworth, P. Cox, P. Edwards, R. Wooller, G. Windybank, F. Bunker, M. Weaver, M. Coker)

5 Liberal Democrats (J. Bastock, H. Thomas, E, Thomas, H. Pavier, P. Ryan)

Mayors

1991-92 Peggy Cox

1992-93 Spencer Harrison

1993-94 Jack Bastock

1994-95 Robert Wooller

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

Footnote – As viewers will see, no votes are shown against any of the candidates. This was due to the fact that the local press did not publish a full sets of results. Plus, none are available on the WDC website. If anyone has a full set of results, please contact us. Thank You.

1993 – 18th November – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

St John’s Ward

CandidatePartyVotes
Richard DickinsonConservative Party675
Barbara WardLiberal Democrats405
David HattonLabour Party209

TORIES RETAIN SEAT AT ST. JOHN’S

A ‘casual vacancy’ had arisen due to the resignation in September of Marjorie Weaver, who had not attended any meetings since March. She had been elected to the council at the 1991 poll.

67 year-old, Richard Dickinson (pictured) of Butler Close, was delighted at the result and said he was looking forward to working with all residents, regardless of their political views. A former employee of the Metropolitan Police for 25-years, said he was eager to tackle local issues, especially crime in the town. He is presently a governor at Kenilworth School and was a former executive at Jaguar cars.

Photo courtesy of the Kenilworth Weekly News

Where’s My Polling Card?

Complaints came in from the public regarding polling cards, which they said had not been posted through their letterboxes. But Michael Coker, pointed out that in June 1987, the town council decided not to fund polling cards for ‘casual vacancy’ positions. But not many electors were aware of this policy. However, electors do not need a polling card to cast their vote, just their name and address, is sufficent.

1995 – 4th May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Jack BastockLiberal Democrats1838
Haydn ThomasLiberal Democrats1483
Enys ThomasLiberal Democrats1299
Patrick RyanLiberal Democrats1281
Helen PavierLiberal Democrats1278
Jill GillmanLiberal Democrats1188
*Michael CokerConservative Party1155
Daphne HarrisonConservative Party966
Terry QuaintonConservative Party956
James FinnieConservative Party940
*John HatfieldConservative Party929
Geoffrey CleaveLabour Party763
Rosemary EllisLabour Party762
Chris EdgertonLabour Party753
Sarah ClarkeLabour Party715
Chris PayneLabour Party634
John WilesLabour Party481

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Pauline EdwardsConservative Party1741
*Bob WoollerConservative Party1700
*Graham WindybankConservative Party1678
*Peggy CoxConservative Party1664
*Felicity BunkerConservative Party1499
Paul SpillmanConservative Party1447
Dave HattonLabour Party1241
Dave PeggsLabour Party1210
Jacky GraysonLabour Party1191
Jill MurdochLabour Party1189
Helen RufflesLabour Party1121
Robin WinnLabour Party976
Richard DicksonLiberal Democrats839
Graham ThomasLiberal Democrats823
Barbara WardLiberal Democrats795
Aidan FossLiberal Democrats753

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
Dave ShiltonLiberal Democrats702
Judy RawsonLiberal Democrats633
Mary HarrisonLiberal Democrats620
Doug GolbyLiberal Democrats603
*Tony DaltonConservative Party579
*Spencer HarrisonConservative Party557
*Peter DurrantConservative Party532
*Joanna IllingworthConservative Party514
Muriel JohnstonLabour Party499
Harry ScarboroughLabour Party482
Lesley BowenLabour Party474
Tony BowenLabour Party461

*denotes retiring councillor

TOWN POWER PASSES TO LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

The Liberal Democrats were celebrating after seizing control of the council. The Tories had gone into the election with a 11-5 majority but this was turned around completley. One of the newly elected councillors, Doug Golby, is the former editor of the Kenilworth Weekly News – he is now the news himself! He said; “There has been a lot of dismay and disgust on the doorstep and national issues have had a lot to do with this. It has been a case of Middle England betrayed”.

In Abbey ward the Lib-Dems took all six seats, with Jack Bastock easily topping the poll. Tory stalwart Michael Coker, who had been on the council since 1983, lost his seat by 33 votes. The Lib-Dems also had a clean-sweep in Park Hill where present tory councillors, Dalton, Harrison, Durrant and Joanna Illingworth were all un-seated. They were replaced by Golby, Shilton, Rawson and Harrison.

New to the council is Dave Shilton, who said “We have a good team in Park Hill and look forward to working hard to look after people in the ward. We are very grateful to the voters for giving us the chance to represent them”.

But in St. John’s the colour was all blue, with the five retiring Tories being re-elected, and were joined by new member Paul Spillman. He replaced Richard Dickinson, who did not seek re-election as he is moving to Sussex. He had been elected to the council at the November 1993 by-election.

Long standing Tory councillor Spencer Harrision lost his town seat but retained his place at the district council, but said he was very disappointed. “But it was a democratic result and we can’t complain about that”. Mr Harrison had been the last remaining councillor to have served on the old KUDC, which existed until 1974.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

10 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, J. Rawson, M. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, E. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier, J. Gillman)

6 Conservatives (P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

Mayors

1995-96 Haydn Thomas

1996-97 Patrick Ryan

1997-98 Helen Pavier

1998-99 Pauline Edwards

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

1996 – 5th September – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

Abbey Ward

Michael Francis CokerConservative Party847
Graham John ThomasLiberal Democrats492
Margi LevyLabour Party371

COKER’S BACK – FOLLOWING A LEAFLET ROW

After 18 months in the political wilderness, jubilant Tory, Michael Coker was back on the council benches. A poll of 847 votes gave him a comfortable victory by 335 over Lib-Dem candidate, Graham Thomas.

The by-election was called due to the death of Enys Thomas (mother of candidate, Graham Thomas and wife of Cllr Haydn Thomas) who died at Warwick Hospital in May following a short illness. She had been taken ill during a council meeting on 25th April. She had been on the town council since 1991.

Graham Thomas said; “I am not too downhearted, I did my best and was an improvement on last time. It was a shame the turnout was low but at least between us, Margi Levy and I managed to poll more votes than the winner”.

Mrs Levy, of Lunn Ave, who is the secretary of the Kenilworth & Stoneleign Labour Party was also not too despondent about the result. She was pleased with all the support she had received and thanked all the people who voted for her. She was critical of the council’s decision not to issue polling cards to electors, many believed they couldn’t vote without one. She also denounced the campaigns run by both the Conservatives and the Lib-Dems, saying they were very negative. They seemed to just focus on missed opportunities in the past.

Before the election, a squabble broke-out over the ‘Tory in Touch’ leaflets that had been distributed around the ward. The disagreement was about who was telling the truth to the voters. Lib-Dem group leader, Haydn Thomas said it was full of distortion and half-truths. If this is what is being sent out for a town council election, what will it be like for a general election?Mr. Coker reacted by saying that he stood by the leaflet. There is a checklist of Liberal Democrat promises, and what we are saying is that they have not carried out any of them. People will be the judge of that.

Seven polling stations were used for this election: Priors Field School, Clinton School, Parochial Hall, Baptist Church, Methodist Church, the Library and one at Burton Green.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, J. Rawson, M. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier, J. Gillman)

7 Conservatives (M. Coker, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

1998 – 2nd July – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

Abbey Ward

Ann BlacklockLiberal Democrats932
Andrea WoollerConservative Party919
Margi LevyLabour Party339

Turnout 33.6%

LUCKY 13 FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

This by-election was automatically called due to Lib-Dem councillor, Jill Wane, not attending any meetings in six months. But the Lib-Dems hung onto the seat by the skin of their teeth, by just 13 votes. It was the one of the closest fought elections in a long time.

Ann Blacklock was the victorious candidate which will be her first time on the town council. She said of the count; “It was very exciting, we knew it was going to be close and had a good chance”. We knew we had support for Liberal Democrats policies but we did not know if they would turnout on the day.

Defeated Tory candidate, Andrea Wooller, said that there had been no tears and she had enjoyed the campaign. I have no hard feelings and I phyically could not have done anymore. I did my best. However, she is looking forward to fighting in Abbey Ward again, in next year’s election.

Only about a third of all the registered electors bothered to vote, which is typical of many by-elections, especially at this time of the year.

It was vital the Liberal Democrats retained their seat. If the Tories had have been successful, the council would have been locked on 8 seats-a-piece. This would have made an interesting situation at Southbank Road. As it turned out the LIb-Dems retained their slender two seat majority – but it would only last a few months.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Liberal Democrats (A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, J. Rawson, H. Harrison, D. Golby, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, P. Ryan, H. Pavier)

7 Conservative Party (M. Coker, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, G. Windybank, P. Cox, F. Bunker, P. Spillman)

1999 – 6th May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Jack BastockLiberal Democrats1450
*Haydn Alan ThomasLiberal Democrats1328
*Helen PavierLiberal Democrats1266
*Ann BlacklockLiberal Democrats1263
*Michael CokerConservative Party1212
John HatfieldConservative Party1113
Lois DarleyLiberal Democrats1050
Andrea WoollerConservative Party1048
Joanna Mary IllingworthConservative Party929
Jacquelyn EarleConservative Party904
David PoolConservative Party897
Margi LevyLabour Party571
Rosemary EllisLabour Party561
Christopher PayneLabour Party483

Conservatives gain one from Liberal Democrats

Park Hill Ward (4 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Dave ShiltonLiberal Democrats855
*Doug GolbyLiberal Democrats716
*Judy RawsonLiberal Democrats696
*Graham WindybankConservative Party663
*Mary HarrisonLiberal Democrats622
Spencer HarrisonConservative Party544
Daphne HarrisonConservative Party536
Ursula DurrantConservative Party535
Chris EdgertonLabour Party287
Harry ScarboroughLabour Party216

Conservatives gain one from Liberal Democrats

St John’s Wards (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Pauline EdwardsConservative Party1737
*Bob WoollerConservative Party1615
Alan CockburnConservative Party1582
*Felicity BunkerConservative Party1431
Tim PorterConservative Party1425
*Paul SpillmanConservative Party1366
Alan AinsworthLabour Party851
David PeggsLabour Party838
Janice FordLabour Party824
Richard DicksonLiberal Democrats737
Neil ClarkLiberal Democrats728
Barbara WardLiberal Democrats687
Graham ThomasLiberal Democrats676
Tina NasonLiberal Democrats637
*denotes retiring member

Conservatives hold six seats

TORIES BACK IN CONTROL ….. JUST

The Conservatives gained two seats but that was enough for them to overturn the 9-7 Lib-Dem majority into a 9-7 majority in their favour. When the Lib-Dems took control four years ago, they had a 10-6 majority. It was the first time since the inception of the Town Council 25 years ago that the Tories did not have control. But by the end of the term, that majority had dropped to only two, this was due to them losing one seat in a by-election, but they did hold onto a seat in another by-election, so preserving the status quo.

The two crucial gains for the Tories came in Abbey and Park Hill wards.

Graham Windybank was delighted at being re-elected to Park Hill following his switch from St John’s. He was also hoping that Spencer or Daphne Harrison would be elected but with the popularity of Dave Shilton and the other Lib-Dems, his chances along with the other Tories didn’t seem that high. But he managed to push out sitting Lib-Dem councillor Mary Harrison, the only candidate who was seeking re-elected not to get back in.

The Tories were very happy to see the return of John Hatfield, who had lost his seat in the 1995 poll. New to the Tory ranks are Tim Porter and Alan Cockburn, who were standing for the first time. Both were easily returned at St John’s, being well clear of their rivals. The Tory group are likely to take up all the chairmanships of the town committees.

Liberal Democrats group leader, Haydn Thomas, will lose his position as leader of the council, following the Tory victory. That will now be taken-up by Mr Coker. Mr Thomas was bitterly disappointed in the final results, which gave the Tories power at Southbank Road. But, he was glad they got most of their councillors re-elected but he was sad that they had lost control.

Lost Nomination Forms………

One other issue that angered Cllr Thomas was the ‘lost’ nomination forms of former Mayor, Pat Ryan (pictured), who was due to stand in Abbey ward. Election officers said they never received his papers, so he won’t be on the ballot paper. But as far as Mr Ryan was concerned he had filled in the forms correctly and that was the end of the matter. There is nothing that could be done except challenge it in court, Mr Ryan said he would be taking legal advice. Gillian Friar, elections officer at Warwick District Council, said extra checks had been made at Victoria Chambers and was satisfied the paperwork was not there.

She added, “We have not received his nomination. There is nothing the returning officer can do to let Mr Ryan stand as a candidate for the town election”. Mr Thomas, said “I took Pat’s papers along with mine and all the others to the election offices the Tuesday after Easter, and they were very busy. The officers say they cannot find Pat’s nomination forms, I am not sure what we can do, I am gutted at the news. I have searched high and low and have doubled checked that I have not left them at home”.

The lost forms meant that the Lib-Dems could only field five candidates in Abbey ward where six seats were available. Many believed that if Pat Ryan had stood he would have been elected.

Labour Woes

The Labour group had a bad day with not one of their eight candidates getting anywhere near elected. However, all their candidates in St John’s beat all five Lib-Dems. One of them, David Peggs said that he was disappointed that the voters of Kenilworth seemed to be out of touch with the rest of the district. “Now that the Tories are in power we are going to see even more griping about the district and very little positive action”

In the country, Tony Blair’s ‘New Labour’ government had been in power for the past two years. But the socalist vote in Kenilworth was still very low. Even with the town having a Labour MP, Andy King, this did not help the Labour group getting anywhere near winning seat in the town. Indeed, the last Labour candidate to be elected to the town council was Bill Wozencroft in 1979, but lost his seat in the 1983.

Polling stations were open from 8am to 9pm.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, B. Wooller, F. Bunker, P. Spillman, T. Porter, G. Windybank, J. Hatfield)

7 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, D. Golby, J. Rawson, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, A. Blacklock, H. Pavier)

Mayors

1999-00 Dave Shilton

2000-01 Graham Windybank

2001-02 Felicity Bunker

2002-03 John Hatfield

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

2001- 15th November – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

St. John’s Ward

CandidatePartyVotes
Richard Ivor DaviesConservative Party975
Janice FordLabour Party515
Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats254

Turnout 24%

EASY VICTORY FOR TORIES IN POOR TURNOUT

Newcomer to the town council is Richard Davies after securing a heavy majority over Labour’s Jan Ford of 460. But the major talking point was the turnout of just 24%. Town clerk, Susan Howell, described it as “Very Disappointing”.

The by-election came about due to the retirement of veteran Tory, Bob Wooller, who was moving to Devon. He first stood in a town election in 1979 but was unsuccessful. But his luck changed in 1982 when he won a by-election at St. John’s, and had remained on the council ever since. In the 1983 election, he polled a massive 2,046 votes, the largest in the whole election.

Polling Card Issues

Election officials at the district council responded to criticism by some residents who said they did not receive polling cards. One elector was even told she could vote at Castle Farm recreation ground only to find there was no polling station there. The district council sent out around 7,000 polling cards to the ward from 1st to 5th November. Election officer, Gillian Friar, said that as far as we are aware, all our canvassers posted the cards on time to the electors and to the correct addresses. “The cards give details of where the polling stations are located, opening hours and name of candidates”. But electors can vote without them, all they need to do is give their name and address to the polling staff, and as long as they are on the electorial roll, there isn’t a problem.

Three of the polling stations used in the elcection were: Kenilworth School, Castle Sixth Form and St. John’s church hall.

The count took place at the council house in Southbank Road, and the results were declared at around 10pm, one hour after the polls closed.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

9 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, P. Edwards, R. Davies, F. Bunker, P. Spillman, T. Porter, G. Windybank, J. Hatfield)

7 Liberal Democrats (D. Shilton, D. Golby, J. Rawson, J. Bastock, H. Thomas, A. Blacklock, H. Pavier)

2003 – 1st May – Kenilworth Town Council – Election

Abbey Ward (5 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Ann BlacklockLiberal Democrats1121
*Michael Francis CokerConservative Party1055
*John Edmond HatfieldConservative Party1006
Patrick Joseph RyanLiberal Democrats920
George Reginald IllingworthConservative Party907
Alan RickersConservative Party876
Lois DarleyLiberal Democrats821
Kevin HoltLiberal Democrats807
John Richard WhitehouseLiberal Democrats798
Dave SkinnerConservative Party774
Jacky SmithLabour Party296
Dave PeggsLabour Party285
Chris GallonLabour Party271
Jacqui JonesLabour Party258
Andrew Keith RoadnightLabour Party231

Turnout 41.4%

Park Hill Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Dave John ShiltonLiberal Democrats1161
*Felicity Gena BunkerConservative Party1030
Dominic CokerConservative Party985
*Douglas Alan GolbyLiberal Democrats927
Spencer Charlton HarrisonConservative Party922
Ursula Stella DurrantConservative Party921
Daphne Rose HarrisonConservative Party917
John Sheehan (aka Tony Walsh)Conservative Party893
Richard SweeneyLiberal Democrats845
Alison Rita Margaret TylerLiberal Democrats817
Adrian SellarsLiberal Democrats782
Alec WouldLiberal Democrats705
Maureen Teresa HazelwoodLabour Party356
Peter HodgkinsonLabour Party350
Henry ScarboroughLabour Party327
Peter Joseph ShielsLabour Party315
Robin Rain WinnLabour Party303
Elizabeth SaxonLabour Party299

Turnout 38.5%

St John’s Ward (6 seats)

CandidatePartyVotes
*Pauline Winifred EdwardsConservative Party1198
*Alan James Lancaster CockburnConservative Party1172
Trevor MartinKenilworth Regeneration1157
*Leslie Graham WindybankConservative Party1102
Richard Ivor Graham DaviesConservative Party1065
Norman John VincentConservative Party958
*Paul SpillmanConservative Party942
Shirley Beatrice ShiltonLiberal Democrats736
Mary Latham HarrisonLiberal Democrats609
*Judith RawsonLiberal Democrats582
Michael CollierLabour Party563
Alan AinsworthLabour Party556
Jan FordLabour Party556
Ruth Tennant Labour Party468
Kieth ThompsonLabour Party456
Caryll GreenGreen Party417
Christopher Edgerton24/7 Care For The Elderly409
Pippa AustinGreen Party402
*denotes retiring councillor

Turnout 44.8%

TORIES GAIN MASSIVE MAJORITY

There was a bit of a shake-up in this year’s election, not only in the overall result but the restructuring of the wards. One extra seat was allocated to the town, which now has a total of 17 members. Abbey ward was down to five seats, while Park Hill was increased from four to six. St John’s remained the same on 6 seats.

At the last poll in 1999, the Conservatives had a slendor majority of just two (9-7), but that was vastly increased to a 12-5 majority. New to the Tory ranks are George Illingworth, Dominic Coker, Richard Davies, Norman Vincent, Ursula Durrant and veteran, Spencer Harrision. He has admitted that he would have preferred a younger person to stand in his place. He said that he would be quite happy to have become a ‘has-been’. But we can’t get any 40 year-olds to stand, local government loses out by not having young councillors, who are willing and able to give up their time. Mr Harrision refuses to reveal his age but he confesses being at Leamington Town Hall when the votes were being counted, 72 years-ago!

The Liberal Democrats were slowly fading away in Kenilworth, being down to only four members. The ‘big guns’ of Jack Bastock, Haydn Thomas and Helen Pavier, did not stand for re-election and Judith Rawson, was un-successful in St. John’s. However, Ann Blacklock topped the poll in Abbey with 1121 and Dave Shilton was well clear in Park Hill with 1161. Former Kenilworth Weekly News editor, Doug Golby was also returned for the third time since 1995. Stalwart Pat Ryan, was back on the council after the lost nomination papers fiasco of 1999, came fourth in Abbey ward.

Kenilworth Regeneration Shock

The biggest shock of the election was Independent candidate, Trevor Martin, who stood on a ticket of ‘Kenilworth Regeneration’, coming third in St John’s with 1157 votes . Mr Martin, of Bullimore Grove, did not expect to be elected and it was not only a shock to himself but to many others as well. He admitted that his legs were a bit wobbly when he heard the results come through. He was the first ever Independent candidate to be elected to the town council. The last time any Independent sat in Kenilworth was way back in 1964, when it was the old KUDC.

During his campaign, Mr. Martin wasted several days taking down posters that were later found to be legal. He was informed that his leaflets that he had placed in shop windows were not allowed, as ‘fly-posting’ was an offence. It later transpired that it was legal for him to display his posters in shop windows. Gillian Friar, from the election office at Warwick District Council said; “The Electoral Commission said that it was not infact an offence, because the businesses were private premises and he had asked personally to display the leaflets”. She added; “You can’t fly-post and the other parties thought this was unfair, but the commission said Mr. Martin wasn’t breaking any rules”.

But Mr. Martin’s initial elation then turned to frustration after only one council meeting. The meeting was only to decide on planning applications and who serves on the various committees. Mr. Martin left the meeting feeling very angry and disappointed. He believes that procedure and red-tape is already preventing him from starting work on the regeneration of Kenilworth town centre.

From Labour to the Elderly

One other Independent who stood in St John’s was Chris Edgerton, a former Abbey High school pupil, who ran on a ticket of ’24/7 Care for The Elderly’. This was due to him becoming a full-time carer for his mother and all the issues that come along with it. He is a familar name in Kenilworth town elections, normally as a Labour candidate. But he had resigned his membership in protest of the Iraq war. He said “Many people have left the Labour party but its difficult to say how I would have done if I was still a member”.

The Green’s Arrive in Kenilworth

The Green Party stood for the very first time in a Town Council election with two candidates, Pippa Austin and Caryll Green, but both came near the bottom of the pile in St John’s. But who knows what the future may bring for the party. Maybe in 20 years time, they could even be in control of the council?

Kenilworth Town Councillors

12 Conservatives (M. Coker, D. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, G. Windybank, U. Durrant, J. Hatfield, G. Illingworth)

4 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby)

1 Independent (T. Martin)

Mayors

2003-04 Douglas Golby

2004-05 Pauline Edwards

2005-06 Norman Vincent

2006-07 Michael Coker

Town Clerk – Susan Howell

2004 – 12th August – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

Park Hill Ward

CandidatePartyVotes
Alison TylerLiberal Democrats670
Daphne HarrisonConservative Party623
Robert DanielKenilworth Regeneration250
Maureen HazelwoodLabour Party112
Brian HadlandEnglish Independence88

Turnout 27.5%

LIB-DEM GAIN FROM CONSERVATIVES

Last years poll was closely contested in Park Hill with four Tories and two Lib-Dems being elected. Indeed, the 4th, 5th and 6th places were seperated by only 6 votes. But it was not that tight this time around.

The by-election was called due to the resignation of Conservative, Dominic Coker, who was elected to the town council last year at his first attempt.

Postal Ballots & Holidays

Having a by-election in mid-August was never going to create a great deal of interest – it was holiday time. Indeed, of the 1,743 people that voted, 633 did so by post. Terrible weather on the day of the election did not help matters either, it chucked it down. All the five polling stations used, were quiet the whole day. Only 27.5% of the electorate excised their right to vote.

Mrs Tyler of Inchbrook Road, who works at Warwickshire College in Leamington, was delighted to have won, especially following last years disappointment. Dave Shilton, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the town council said that it was a great result for us and it shows that people trust us and know that we work hard in Kenilworth. Their campaign also saw former councillor and town Mayor, Jack Bastock come out of ‘retirement’ to canvass in the ward, this was despite a recent knee operation.

Tory candidate, Mrs Harrison, who was a town councillor 10 years ago but gave-up due to work commitments said; “Of course I am disappointed, it was a good campaign and people were very supportive on the doorstep”. But it was not all bad news for the Tories as they still have an overall majority on the council of 5 seats.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

11 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, G. Windybank, U. Durrant, J. Hatfield, G. Illingworth)

5 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby, A. Tyler)

1 Independent (T. Martin)

2006 – 2nd March – Kenilworth Town Council – By Election

St. John’s Ward

CandidatePartyVotes
Susan Vera HowellConservative Party862
Shirley Beatrice ShiltonLiberal Democrats695
Jeremy EastaughLabour Party201
Brian Percy HadlandIndependent48
Christopher John EdgertonOBH No Care Beds16

Electorate 5862

Ballot Papers Issued 1338 (31.3% Turnout)

FORMER TOWN CLERK NOW A COUNCILLOR

There was a poor turnout of just 31% turnout for this by-election following the death of long-serving Tory councillor Graham Windybank. It was always likely that the seat would remain in Tory hands as it has been a stronghold of theirs for decades. Indeed, Susan Howell was the victorious, winning by a majority of 167 votes. Her name will be familiar to Kenilworth people as she had been the town clerk from 1987 to 2003. She is now back in the council chamber, not taking the minutes but making them!

Mrs Howell of Thickthorn Orchards, who was born in Solihull was delighted at the result. She admitted that during her time as town clerk she was always interested in listening to the council meetings, and often wanted to say something but now she can!

Chairman of the Kenilworth Liberal Democrats, John Whitehouse said that they were happy at the outcome of their candidate, Shirley Shilton getting 695 votes, considering we traditionally have not been strong in this ward, it is something we can build upon.

Kenilworth Town Councillors

11 Conservatives (M. Coker, A. Cockburn, S. Harrison, F. Bunker, P. Edwards, R. Davies, N. Vincent, S. Howell, U. Durrant, J. Hadfield, G. Illingworth)

5 Liberal Democrats (P. Ryan, A. Blacklock, D. Shilton, D. Golby, A. Tyler)

1 Independent (T. Martin)