Following earlier selection of Meri O’Connell in Tilehurst, Janel Blattler in Katesgrove and James Moore in Redlands, Greater Reading Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce the remaining Liberal Democrat Candidates for the Local Elections.
Abbey – Kirsten Bayes. A long-time campaigner, as Deputy Leader of Reading Borough Council in 2010 Kirsten delivered the first 0% Council Tax rise ever seen in Reading, along with a budget that cleared the way for a second 0% Council Tax rise this year. Kirsten lives in central Reading and works in IT.
Battle – Mark Whiley. Mark is a former graduate of the University of Reading where he was active as a Community Warden for 2 years in the University area. Mark currently lives off the Oxford Road and works in Reading for an IT firm.
Caversham – Jenny Woods. Dr Jenny Woods is a trained scientist and professional administrator, currently coordinating a national network of researchers looking at how science can improve our lives in future. She is passionate about building a fair society where everyone has the chance to make the most of their lives and is a strong believer in accessible learning and new technologies to help bring this about.
Church – Annette Hendry. Annette has been a Reading resident for over 30 years and a long-standing community activist and is a Trustee of various voluntarty organisations. Annette was formerly a Councillor in Peppard ward.
Kentwood – Jon Walls. Jonathan Walls first moved to Reading in 2001, when he started working for a small, young, entrepreneurial software company. He has lived in Kentwood since 2009 and has just joined another new venture as a senior consultant. Jonathan also enjoys music, and his band plays regular gigs around Berkshire.
Mapledurham – Chris Burden. Chris, a business support professional and long standing resident of Caversham, takes an active interest in environmental and quality-of-life issues. A keen supporter of the Reading Tree Wardens, he has planted trees in Richfield Avenue, Christchurch Meadows, and Westfield Rec., and is involved with Caversham GLOBE.
Minster – Georgina Hughes. Georgina joined the Liberal Democrats to fight for a fairer society for us all. She is currently Chair of Greater Reading Liberal Democrats and commutes to London for her work in web development.
Norcot – Margaret McNeill. Margaret worked for many years in local government, so has lots of experience of how councils work. Now retired, she takes an active interest in the community and wants residents to have a bigger say in what happens in their neighbourhood.
Park – Hoyte Swager. After having moved to Reading in 2008, Hoyte currently lives in Park near Cemetery Junction. Hoyte works in Dinton Pastures Country Park at the Hurst Golf Course as acting Head Greenkeeper and is studying for NVQ in Sports Turf.
Peppard – Mustafa Chaudhary. Mustafa was born in Reading and has lived in Caversham since 1978. His history of community activism speaks for itself. He has served as a trustee with Reading Voluntary Action, was a member of both Thames Valley Police IAG and Caversham NAG. He is currently Vice-Chair of Reading SACRE and a member of Reading Inter-Faith Group. Mustafa runs his own architectural practice.
Southcote – Dave Warren. Dave was born in Reading and has lived in the area ever since. A former postal worker he is now a tireless campaigner for carers rights and a community activist in Southcote.
Thames – Guy Penman. Guy is a history graduate and works in London at The London Library. He has lived in Thames ward since 1974 and stood for election there in 2010. As well as being interested in maintaining and improving the provision of library services in Reading he is also concerned with such issues as community policing , public transport , planning and the environment.
Whitley - Rebecca Chester. Becki is a former journalist who became interested in Liberal Democrat policies after working on the election campaign for the Bournemouth Daily Echo. Being a long-standing resident of Reading, Becki wants to ensure that decisions made regarding its community benefit all concerned.
Georgina Hughes, Chair of the Reading Liberal Democrats and Minster candidate said “With the announcement of our remaining candidates, the strength of our local team is clear. Our candidates offer a diverse range of talents and a great mixture of experience from across Reading along with the energy to deliver great things for our communities.”