Councillors

Current Councillors

Jane Ashman

Telephone: 01747 841481

I have lived in Pen with my partner Richard since June 2009 having moved here from Bristol. I have also lived in small villages in Cheshire and North Wales in the past. A social worker by profession my working life has been variously in Liverpool, North Wales, Bristol and Bath and at all levels, frontline to Director. I am currently a Non-Executive Director of an NHS Foundation Acute & Community Trust which takes up 5/6 days a month but am otherwise retired from full time employment.

Since coming to the village I have enjoyed getting involved in the really positive life and activities that go on here. I became involved in developing the community plan, from which I have been delighted to see that a number of new community activities that arose from it are still thriving. I regularly help with the Black Bin Cafe and of course the annual fete. I can often be spotted walking the many wonderful footpaths we have with our 3 lively vizsla dogs.

I joined the Parish Council in May 2013 and take the lead for any employment issues that arise in our responsibilities for employing the Parish Clerk. I am also the Parish Council Representative on the Penselwood Community Association. I try to input positively to the modest contribution the Parish Council can make to village life, but I recognise the biggest contribution comes from its residents. My aim therefore, is for the Parish Council to facilitate what you want from our village.

Peter FitzGerald

Telephone: 01747 840895

Email: peterrfitzg@aol.com

My family have lived at Pen Mill farm for nearly 50 years and my small farm is very important to me.

I practiced as a solicitor for 45 years and I find my legal background is often helpful in parish matters.

My interests are the countryside, horses, walking, reading and the arts. My wife Sarah is a keen gardener and garden historian. I have three grown up daughters.

I am chairman and trustee of two major charities, one for assisting phobias and OCDs and the other for educating urban children about countryside matters. I organise the Blackmore Vale hedge-laying competition. I am currently walking to Rome by weekly stages. I am also writing a book about Nathaniel Ireson, the Wincanton architect.

Andrew Jenkins

Telephone: 01747 840773

Email:selwoodaj@btopenworld.com

Sandra and I have lived in Pen Selwood since April 1975 having moved here when we got married. All three of our children were born and brought up in the village.
I have taught in a successful local Comprehensive School for 30 years and have been a member of the Parish Council for 28 years. I am a holding trustee for the Village Hall and am also on the Village Hall Committee, Community Field Committee and, have for a number of years, been vice chairman of the Selwood Sports and Social Club. In 1996 I compiled the book Pen to Paper Memories of Pen Selwood by Vi Hocking and am, at present, putting together the life story of a very prominent past member of our community.

Neil Marley

E mail: neil.marley@yahoo.co.uk

I moved to Pen Selwood in July 2016 with my wife, Helen, after 30+ years in Wokingham bringing our family. I worked for a materials handling business as Technical, Training and Installations Manager, for most of our time there, but spent the last 4 years of my working life as a hydraulic engineer working on ground support equipment at Heathrow Airport.

Since being welcomed into Pen Selwood we have come to appreciate the idyllic nature of the village, its sense of community and friendship. It is a pleasure to take up various duties related to the Fete, Pen Pub, Black Bin Café, History Group Archaeology, and Parish Council coordinating communications with County Highways. I will continue to address any other odd jobs that are put my way to keep the village as it is for the benefit of the residents

Paul Shinar

E mail:paul@rrelite.co.uk

I moved to Pen Selwood in March 2016 not knowing what to expect from a small village.

I have been in the entertainment industry for most of my life and before moving here I was lucky enough to travel around the world with my chosen profession.

I wanted to get involved in the village from day one. I thought it would be hard to be accepted but this could not have been further from the truth. It is a wonderful place to live.

Joining the Parish Council I wanted to bring my experience of being the President of five villages in Florida, a position I held for 5 years.

I run two businesses now in the Parish and am lucky enough to be able to experience village life everyday.

I have much to learn but am truly enjoying being an integral part of helping to administer one of England’s oldest villages

Jenny Steadman (Chairman)

Telephone: 01747 841041

Email: jennysteadman@btinternet.com

I have always thought that living in a small village is a great privilege and being active within the community a real pleasure.

Since moving here from Wiltshire in 2007 Ian and I have been involved in many activities in the village from the fetes to the socials and I have been on the Parish Council for a number of years. I head up the team that runs the very successful Black Bin Café every other Friday morning, a great place for people to meet up and chat.

I am now retired but for many years ran a antiquarian book business specialising in 18th and 19th century books of travel and exploration in the Middle East, Central and Eastern Asia and the Far East. An area that still holds a great deal of fascination for me.

Ian and I have have two grown up sons, two daughters in law and four grandchildren.

I love to travel and am lucky that I have been able to visit many countries, some of which are definitely no-go areas now.

I like to go walking and in fact it was the number of footpaths around this parish that led us to Pen in the first place. Looking after my garden and my vegetable patch takes a lot of my time. I like to read, practise Yoga and Tai Chi, sew and embroider and wish I could paint and draw better

Pen Selwood is a very special village and as a Parish Councillor I will do my best to preserve and enhance its unique character.

Clerk Mrs Anne Kaile

Telephone: 01460 240667

Email: penselwoodclerk@hotmail.com
The Old Dairy House
Compton Durville
South Petherton
TA13 5ET

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