Councillors

I am married with two children and was born in Ireleth. I have been on the Parish Council for a number of years and held various positions including that of Chairman.

Having lived and worked in the Parish all my life I have a keen desire for the village to prosper and move forward. I feel it is important to maintain the range of youth and adult sporting facilities in order to keep our sense of community and pride in the village.

Originally from Sunderland, I moved to the Furness region in June 1989 to take up a position at VSEL, following the closure of Sunderland Shipbuilders where I had worked since leaving school. I have recently taken early retirement from BAE.
My wife Jan and I settled first in Dalton, living there for fourteen years, before moving to Holbeck, Barrow in 2003 and finally to Askam in September 2010.

We had a lifelong ambition to live by the sea in a small close knit community and feel that since moving into the village we have fulfilled that dream as we both love the area. I would like to see access to and the first, visual impressions of the village enhanced. I also believe that along with maintaining and enhancing the existing facilities, the natural beauty of the area should be promoted.

Born in Dalton, but spent a lot of my youth in Askam at my grandparents. I came to live Askam in the 70’s when my husband Brian retired from the British Army. While serving we lived in various army bases in England and then Germany.
With our three Children we have lived in Beach Street ever since moving to Askam. I am a founding member of the Askam and Ireleth History Group, member of WI, Sisterhood and Trefoil Guild
I enjoy living in Askam and love the beach where I regularly walked my dogs, where you will find me picking up litter to try and keep our lovely beach tidy. I always attended the Parish Council meetings prior to becoming a member of the parish council and enjoy being involved with the community and community issues.

I have been lucky enough to live in Ireleth since moving from Lancashire. I currently work for the Youth Justice Services as an Education Leader and I am also a Trustee for Barrow Citizen’s Advice. Ilive with my husband and two daughters and have two step daughters who live nearby. I am passionate about opportunities for young people and making sure all voices are heard.

I have lived in Askam & Ireleth all of my life. I left Dowdales School and worked firstly at Pickford’s Removals & Travel Service in Barrow, leaving in 1978 to work at K Shoes in Askam until its closure in 1997.
I then worked for Booths in Ulverston, where I enjoyed serving the public until my retirement in 2019. I have a fund of local knowledge and feel I know and relate to the village and its inhabitants needs. I am passionate about Askam & and Ireleth and its future. I have been an active member of the Methodist Church for most of my adult life, serving at different times as Church Council secretary and treasurer.

I joined the Askam History group at its inaugural meeting, and I have a fund of local knowledge gleaned from my late mother during her 95 years of living in Askam. I have been a councillor on the Parish Council since 1997, making me one of the longest serving councillors.

I want the Parish Councillors and residents to feel that they have a future here and that the Council has a voice in local democracy, as we are the link with the people and those elected bodies such as Westmorland and Furness Council which means the local voice is heard in the corridors of power, so that grassroots democracy really means something, despite our size.

Originally from Wigan I moved to Askam at the end of 2002 and have worked at a couple of training providers. I am married to Karl and have 2 daughters, and 2 grandchildren. I currently work as a Careers Adviser
I am now retired from my work as a Careers Adviser in 2 local special schools and an Academy. I am passionate about ensuring that students with special needs experience the variety of opportunities open to others whenever possible.

From my home I am lucky enough to have what I believe is one of the best views in Askam. I am very happy living in the village and would like to see the natural surroundings and community spirit preserved. I regularly attend the history group and also volunteer as a custody visitor at Barrow police station and I am Chair of Governors at Ireleth St Peter’s School. I will endeavour to promote the village and its great facilities, whilst at the same time representing the views of local residents.

I am Askam born and bred and live in the village with my husband Mike. I left Dowdales and worked at British Cellophane for 9 years and then left in 1983 to work for British Gas at the Gas Terminal at Rampside.

For 14 years I was the PA to the Terminal Manager. Mike and I then moved to Solihull in the West Midlands where I worked for British Gas again before leaving the UK to live firstly in Belgium and then Switzerland. I came home regularly to visit my mum and friends in the area. We moved back permanently in 2006 and both love it here. I took up the position of Clerk to the Parish Council in February 2010.

I have worked as a Secretary and in Administration all of my working life and hope I can bring that experience to the Parish Council. I know the area and the parish and walk it on a regular basis with my dog. I have a vested interest in this parish because it is my home and I love it and want to do my best for the people who live here.

I am secretary to Askam and Ireleth Local History Group, and a member of Sisterhood. I want the Parish Council to be accessible to community and for residents to feel they can come to the Parish Council and discuss what is important to them.

Originally from Aberdeen, I moved to the Furness region in 1990 as part of the British Gas Team building the North Morecambe Platforms and Gas terminal where I met and eventually married my wife Janice.

My wife is originally from Askam and is the Clerk to the Parish Council. After completion of the Gas Terminal we both moved to British Gas in Solihull. I then moved as a Senior Executive with an International IT Company to London, Brussels and eventually Geneva before taking early retirement and moving back to Askam in 2006, where, we had maintained a house since going abroad.

I am involved locally in the area being Treasurer to the Askam Village Hall Charity (The Lots Social Club), Trustee and Chairman to the “Drop Zone Youth Organisation”. Chairman of the Barrow RNLI and past president of The Rotary Club of Barrow.

I am a member of the Cumbria Association of Local Councils Executive. I love living in Askam with its friendly residents, great walks and the constantly changing views and skies. I will endeavour to ensure that the parish of Askam & Ireleth does not get second best when it comes to local services and projects, that any changes to the villages are ones that bring improvement as well as change whenever possible. I believe that the parish of Askam & Ireleth is a unique place which must be protected and where possible enhance the areas of natural beauty.

I moved to Askam in October 2004, with my husband, when I was offered the post of Head of Languages at Millom School. I taught French there for 16 years. I was born in France and my whole family still lives there. I lost my husband in 2015 and although many thought I would return to France, I decided to stay here. My job, my friends were here and I have now lived in this country for over 30 years, having met my husband in Scotland, then moved to West Sussex, Leicestershire and finally Cumbria.
I still do some supply teaching as I missed being in the classroom. I am also Vice-Chair of Governors at Askam Village School and pop in there quite often to support the teaching and learning of a variety of subjects, especially French! I am a great believer in lifelong learning, for work or for pleasure.
I am a good listener and hope I can use my skills to ensure everyone’s voice can be heard.

I am currently working in the Office of Chief Engineer on the Dreadnought programme, providing a future submarine service to the Royal Navy. I enjoy taking trips to our caravan and spending time with my grandchildren in Scotland.

I moved to Askam with my wife Janet, and 2 young children in October 1992, having joined HM Prison service and was posted to HMP Haverigg where I spent the last 30 years having started as an Officer and finally retiring in 2021 at the rank of custodial manager. 

I have been involved in many roles and responsibilities during this time and was a member of the local POA committee for 30 years. 

I would class myself as a good communicator, listener, a people person and one who is not afraid to speak up which has at times got me into hot water. 

When the chance to serve the local community arose in the shape of the Parish Council I felt it was something I wanted to try and join, and having been co.opted which I must say is a privilege and honour, I feel it is really important that local people are able to have a say and be able to help shape our own communities especially at this time when things are difficult for us all. 

I will do all I can to assist the Chair, Clerk and Parish in making our community a better place and having a strong voice and I look forward to serving you all.