Category: Electoral Area

Cllr Stewart Luck

A Debden resident for over 40 years, Stewart is a district and parish councillor. At UDC he serves on the scrutiny and governance committees, and is topic lead for aviation. He’s a qualified Jumbo pilot and STEM ambassador, and an active organiser of community activities, events and volunteering programmes.

“ I believe that you get back what you put in. I’m dedicated both to Debden & Wimbish villages and helping the next generation develop the skills and confidence they need to be successful.” Stewart Luck

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Stewart is committed to Debden village and the local area having lived there for about 40 years. He has organised Debden fetes, barn dances and other events. He served as a councillor in his 40s and again now that he has retired for the last 6 years. He’s both a Debden parish and a district councillor. At UDC he serves on the scrutiny and governance committees, and is topic lead for aviation.

Stewart is a keen member of the Royal British Legion and until 2018 was a local Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Coordinator. In 2018 he trained as a Standard Bearer and represented Debden on the Royal British Legion GP90 pilgrimage march to Ypres and the WW1 battlefields.

He has spent a career in aviation. Stewart remains a qualified flying instructor, air display organiser, display pilot, training captain, and Jumbo Jet pilot. With this expertise and local knowledge, he served on Stansted Airport Consultative Group with a particular interest in dealing with aircraft noise and overflight issues for the surrounding villages. This experience makes him the ideal candidate to support Council brief for Uttlesford’s biggest employer, Stansted Airport.

Stewart is particularly supportive of youth and education initiatives, where he seeks to combine his passion for flying with developing life skills in the next generation.  He started out as a member of the Air Cadets, an organisation for which Stewart says he has a high regard. He is a past chairman of 1824 Sqdn (Saffron Walden) ATC and past leader of Debden Youth Club and supports Scouts weekend aviation camps.

As an Executive Committee Member of the Light Aircraft Association Stewart championed flying for younger members. In 2003 he invented and sponsored the first UK Youth Build-a- Plane Project, which is now sponsored by Boeing and The Royal Aeronautical Society. On the back of Stewart’s initial endeavours over 30 kit planes have been built and/or flown by young people.

Stewart also volunteers as a STEM Ambassador visiting schools in Essex to inspire young people about life & career options, and has been a member of the General Aviation All Party Parliamentary Group for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

In his spare time Stewart enjoys family life, playing badminton, sailing & boating, flying in light aircraft and driving classic cars.

 

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    Cllr Petrina Lees

    A proven champion of her community and local causes, Petrina Lees previously served on the Elsenham Parish Council for 17 years, including 3 as chair; enjoyed a 30 year career in nursing; and has been part of the leadership team of Save Our Villages for 9 years. Petrina stood for district council as an Independent in 2015 and was elected as an R4U councillor for the Uttlesford District Elsenham and Henham ward in 2017. She is the first female Leader of Uttlesford District Council, where she is leading R4U’s programme of improvement at the authority.

    “I’m passionate about fairness and regularly jump in to volunteer to create a better community. I don’t seek an easy life – I’m not afraid to challenge the norm, roll up my sleeves and get things done. People who know me know I work tirelessly for local residents and their causes and will have seen that since I was elected I have done so.” Petrina Lees

     

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    Petrina Lees is a very active member of her community. She has lived in Elsenham for over 20 years with her husband, and their family. She cooks for the Lunch Club, runs the Elsenham Rainbow Guides and manages the village rounders team.

    She is also well qualified as a councillor. She served on Elsenham parish council for 17 years including 3 years as chair. Petrina has been part of the leadership team of Save Our Villages for 9 years, helping secure last year’s planning rejection of ‘Hellsenham’ by the Secretary of State. She is also a member of the Joint Parishes Council Steering Group.

    Outside of the home she enjoyed a career in nursing of more than 30 years, most recently caring for the terminally ill, but left the NHS a couple of years ago to concentrate on her family and community activities.

    Petrina stood as an Independent in 2015 and was elected as an R4U councillor for the Uttlesford District Elsenham and Henham ward in 2017.

    Petrina said “The first thing we addressed after being elected was the appalling state of the road outside the local shops in Elsenham.  For over 15 years there have been numerous complaints. As Parish Councillors we were always told by District Councillors that they were ‘unable to help or fix it because it was the responsibility of the county council’. That’s as may be, but it is shirking and rubbish, and that attitude holds no truck with me. People don’t care what council you are elected to. As a district councillors part of your job is to advocate for local people and hold those responsible to account, even at other authorities. Within 6 months of being elected we facilitated and contributed to the road being resurfaced. My motto is ‘never give up’ – there is always a way, you just have to think outside the box sometimes.”

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      Re-instatement of 59/590 Audley End Station bus services

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      Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is delighted that the peak time route 59/590 bus services between Saffron Walden and Audley End station will be restored from 3 October 2022. R4U’s Cllr …read more →

      Village improvements, roads and policing discussed at Debden Annual Meeting

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      R4U’s Cllr Stuart Luck reports that the Debden Annual Meeting was held last week. The annual budget was approved. Topics discussed included rural crime, potholes and support for the village’s …read more →

      ‘Olympic legacy’ investment in facilities at Thaxted Skatepark by R4U administration

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      Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is delighted that its councillors at R4U-led Uttlesford District Council have unanimously approved a £35,000 grant to refurbish the skatepark operated by the Thaxted Youth Club. …read more →

      Residents call for change at Essex County Council in May local elections to stop the cycle of failure

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      Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) has announced that it is fielding candidates to contest the four Uttlesford seats at Essex County Council. The local party says that if elected, R4U councillors …read more →

      Residents’ champions stand up for Newport and Sampford in Uttlesford District Council By-Elections

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      Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) is fielding candidates in both Uttlesford District Council by-elections on 6th May for the Newport and Sampfords wards. Newport Uttlesford District ward councillor Neil Hargraves said …read more →

      Cllr Bianca Donald

      Bianca has taught in Uttlesford schools since 2004 and knows many local parents. As an Elsenham parish councillor, she serves on the New Village Hall and playground refurbishment committees. She’s an avid grassroots sports participant, previously netball and now rounders. She was elected to Uttlesford District Council in 2023.

      “In over 20 years teaching, I have taught many of the children in the local area. Our councils need to work hard to provide facilities and jobs to keep young people here or attract them back when they start work.” – Bianca Donald

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      Bianca cares about our next generation. She has taught in Uttlesford schools since 2004 both in Stansted and Hatfield Broad Oak. During Covid she has been providing online tutoring in mathematics. She understands parents’ frustration as education budgets have been slashed and school choice eradicated by Essex County Council.

      “In over 20 years teaching, I have taught many Stansted area children. I’ve seen how for decades the government’s education strategy has been failing our youth and community. We need a strong voice for Uttlesford youth issues.” – Bianca Donald

      Bianca coaches grassroots women’s sports. For several years she served on the committee of the Bishops Stortford District Netball League. She currently plays for, manages and coaches a local team. She loves the countryside and feels we must be ‘careful custodians of our environment’ and feels through R4U she can make Uttlesford a place that cares for its residents, local environment and businesses.

      She is a parish and district councillor.

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        Cllr Mike Tayler

        Mike is a well-known and respected GP from the Thaxted Practice who delivered healthcare to the residents of surrounding villages from 1986 until he recently retired. He became a district councillor in 2019. He is a strong supporter of environmental causes and protecting our rural villages and countryside.

        “I am proud be a councillor for R4U because it respects local residents and delivers positive, practical change without the constraints of Westminster political control.” Dr Mike Tayler

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        Dr Mike is a well-known and respected GP from the Thaxted Practice who delivered healthcare to the residents of surrounding villages from 1986 until he recently retired. He is a strong supporter of environmental causes and protecting our rural villages and countryside. He became a district councillor in 2019 and sits on the Standards and Licensing Committees.

        Mike says:

        I have worked as a rural GP based in Thaxted for more than 30 years. I feel privileged to have got to know many local residents and where they live. I wish to work to preserve the tranquillity and biodiversity of our communities, but know, to be sustained, that they must be supported with such things as improved facilities, broadband, and local services.

        I am proud be a councillor for R4U because it respects local residents and delivers positive, practical change without the constraints of Westminster political control.

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          Cllr Martin Foley

          Community champion and Thaxted resident Martin is one of Uttlesford’s longest serving and most respected district councillors. He is also an Essex County Councillor for the Thaxted Division. He’s represented his ward at UDC since 1995. He’s an active local voice who campaigns for our environment, and against airport expansion, urban sprawl on our fields, and the closing of the local libraries.

          “R4U has made solid progress at UDC since being elected to lead the council in 2019. They have fixed the finances, got the Conservatives’ £6m failed Local Plan back on track, and are delivering a major Climate Change programme. As part of R4U, I am helping UDC steer the future of our district, as well as for that Thaxted and Eastons ward residents.” Martin Foley

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          Residents champion Martin is one of Uttlesford’s longest serving and most respected councillors. He’s represented the Thaxted and now Thaxted and the Eastons ward at UDC since 1995. He’s a strong and active local voice who campaigns for our environment, and against airport expansion, urban sprawl on our fields, and the closing of the local libraries.

          Martin lives in Thaxted with his wife Claire.

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