Stephen

Stephen's Castle Ward

Alan Biggs

ROLES: Councillor, Bournemouth International Airport, Highway Liaison Councillor

01202 821186

Cllralan.biggs@verwood.gov.uk

I grew up in Staines, Middlesex, had a career in engineering and I did 2 years National Service in the Royal Air Force.
My wife and I had two children and we initially moved to Verwood in 2000 but moved away to be nearer our new grandchild. We relocated back to Verwood in 2009 and my wife passed away in 2014 after 51 years of marriage.
I am enjoying my role in the Town Council, representing Stephens Castle Ward and hopefully being of help to all residents in the Civil Parish.

Lindsey Dedden

ROLES: Councillor, D.A.P.T.C. Eastern area, D.A.P.T.C. Larger Councils, Verwood Heathland Heritage Trust

01202 824473

Cllrlindsey.dedden@verwood.gov.uk

I was born in Edgware Middlesex and after school I attended Loughborough University of Technology, obtaining a degree in Chemistry and Management Studies. In 1973 I then worked in Personnel Mangement in Aerospace, Local Government, Insurance (USA) and the Water Industry. I am a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
My husband Alan, our son Ross and I moved to Verwood in 1985. I was elected to the Town Council in 1990 and was Mayor in 2003/04 and again in 2017/18. I served as an East Dorset Councillor from 1995-1999. From 1997 I was a Non-Executive Director at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hostpitals Trust until 2005 then at the Foundation Trust until 2009.
I have been involved in many local organisations in various capacities including the Chairman of the Memorial Hall Management Committee and I also helped produce the "Viewpoint" when it was a voluntary magazine.
I am an active member of Verwood U3A and my current interests include archaeology and family history and I was delighted to find some of my ancestors were born and lived in East Dorset.

Simon Gibson MAYOR

ROLES: Councillor, Dorset Councillor, Churches Together, Flood Warden

01202 820822

Cllrsimon.gibson@verwood.gov.uk

Born in Belfast, I moved with my family to Verwood in 1999. I attended Emmanuel Middle School and QE.
I joined Verwood Town Council in 2007 and am honoured to be the Mayor for the 2022-23 council year. I was previously Mayor in 2012-13.
I was elected to Dorset Council in 2019 having previously represented Verwood on the East Dorset District Council since 2011 until the Council merged as part of the Local Government reorganisation. I was the Cabinet member for Housing (2014-2019) and Deputy Leader of Council (2017-2019) I am currently the Dorset Council lead member for Highways.
In 2012 I founded the Community Christmas Lunch that provides a free community lunch for people on their own at Christmas time. I also organise the monthly litter picks to help keep Verwood tidy. I have a keen interest in projects that help build a stronger community, bringing people of all ages together.

Pat Morrow

ROLES: Councillor, Verwood in Bloom

01202 814733

Cllrpat.morrow@verwood.gov.uk

Originally from Belfast I came to Verwood in 2000 to join family here.
I was educated at the Methodist College, Belfast and in later years I completed an Open University Degree study in the State in Britain and International Politics.
During my working career I was General Secretary of a Political Pressure Group which founded a moderate political party, an area manager for Oxfam Ireland, a manager for a Hospice and a Community Leader running a large Community Centre.
I joined a number of organisations when I arrived in Verwood in order to make friends and become part of the community. I think that Verwood has a special quality that welcomes strangers.
I am currently Chair of the Verwood Area Fiftyplus Forum; a Trustee and Deputy Chair of Dorset Fiftyplus ; a member of Dorset Age Partnership and a committee member of Help the Aged Local Committee.
I am also a member of the Verwood Flower Club, the Verwood and District Horticultural Society and the WI.
My main interests are dogs, walking and enjoying the beautiful scenery in Dorset.
As a member of the Verwood Town Council I endeavour to champion the cause of older people

Matthew Parker

ROLES: Councillor

07703 342039

Cllrmatthew.parker@verwood.gov.uk

I was born in Ewell, Surrey in 1978 and my parents settled in Horndean, Hampshire when I was 8. I moved to Bournemouth in 1996 to attend Bournemouth University where I studied Business Law and where I met my wife.

I am married to Jodi and have three young children. Following qualifying as a solicitor in 2006 we moved to Verwood and have stayed ever since. It is somewhere we both enjoy living and where we wanted to bring our children up. In 2009 I set up Forest Edge Legal Practice which expanded in 2015 to incorporate a long standing local firm of Meesons Solicitors.

I am a governor at Emmanuel Middle School and Cranborne First School. I was previously a trustee director of Verwood Hub and on the committee of the Verwood and District Chamber of Trade.

Andy Maw

ROLES: Councillor, Environment Councillor

07808 167949

Cllrandy.maw@verwood.gov.uk

I was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire where I attended the local comprehensive school.
At sixteen I started my apprenticeship in the glass and glazing industry. I completed a business and management course at Scarborough Technical College before moving to Bournemouth and setting up my own double-glazing replacement and repair business. I moved to Verwood in 2007 with my wife Ann and our three children. Two of my children attended Emmanuel Middle School. I have been involved with Verwood Scouts for several years, I am a volunteer at Verwood Youth Centre and I am also a Member of Verwood Rotary. Verwood, in my opinion, is a safe and friendly Town in which to raise a family. I would like to help the Town Council and Community keep it that way and serve them to the best of my ability.

Julian Macro

ROLES: Councillor

01202 814270

Cllrrevd.macro@verwood.gov.uk

I grew up and went to school in Wimbledon and then studied at universities in Wales and Oxford, taking degrees in Classics and Theology.
Following Ordination I served as Minister of United Reformed Churches in Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Berkshire.
My wife, Dorothy, and I moved to Verwood in 2005, delighted to find such a welcoming community and where we have both been active in the Verwood United Reformed Church where I was, in effect, locum Minister for eight years during time which I initiated the Foodbank Distribution Centre (linked with the Trussell Trust).
I was appointed a JP at the age of 28 and served as a Magistrate and in related roles with the Probation and Prison services. I have also been a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of a Housing Association with some 10,000 homes. I continue to serve on a number of Church and Charity boards and look forward to doing what I can to promote Verwood and Three Legged Cross as communities where everyone can enjoy living.