Councillors – North Ward
Councillor Tony Armstrong
Having moved to the island with my wife in March 2023 I was very keen to contribute and support the local community in Freshwater.
I have pursued various careers on the mainland: working in corporate sales; running a small hotel and tenanting two public houses with accommodation; teaching Design Technology, Graphics and IT to A Level in the secondary and private sectors in the UK and overseas. I retired as Head of Department after 22 years.
I am passionate about maintaining the beauty of the environment on the island, especially here in West Wight and improving the infrastructure of the area.
I enjoy the Arts, reading, walking and photography in my free time.
Committees:
- Planning
- Finance
- Land Management & Assets
Other Committees and Organisations
- Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners Advisory Committee
Councillor Brenda Hobbs
Born in Hertfordshire. I am a widow with a son and a daughter and a grandchild. I moved to Island with my husband in 1963 and have lived in Wellow, Ryde, Newport, and since 1975 in Freshwater.
Freshwater Parish Councillor since 1987. I live in the Parish, love the area, and therefore wish to be involved in all aspects affecting Freshwater.
Currently serve on Golden Hill and United Charities. West Wight Sports Centre supporter, from swimming at Brambles onwards to the building of the West Wight Pool and involvement in development of the West Wight Sports Centre. Founder member of Friends of Freshwater Library. Founder member of the now closed Freshwater Community Initiative.
Committees
- Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences) – Chair
- Planning
- Finance
- Land Management and Assets
- Personnel – Vice Chair
Other Committees/Organisations
- Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co.
Councillor Caroline Pakel
I came to the Island in early 2021 for a break and never left. I settled in Freshwater where I have retrofitted a little bungalow and started to learn to grow food. I am very grateful to have landed here after a life spread across many countries and work conducted across the globe for research, innovation and then, dialogue. I can honestly say that it is the first time that I feel at home, so care deeply about community life here. I am originally from France and of mixed European culture as my father was German but have lived most of my adult life – on and off – in the UK (Buckinghamshire).
I worked in international business for 30 years and switched to social and environmental activism for 3,5 years where I was involved in bringing dialogue in places of power and influence like Westminster and Davos. I have since been running an online community of land stewards restoring and protecting degraded lands and ecosystems around the world called The Art of Forests. I am passionate about nature and its careful protection and management matter to me greatly.
My purpose today is to bring dialogue to the community in whatever form. I look forward to representing local residents of Freshwater North Ward and to supporting the work of the Council in service of everyone.
Committees:
- Planning
- Personnel
- Land Management
Other Committees and Organisations
- Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC)
Councillors – South Ward
Councillor Anne Bamford
Studied at two colleges in London between 1971-1976. I became a teacher and taught English, drama and music in 11-18 secondary schools in London, Hertfordshire, Dudley and Stafford until moving to the Isle of Wight in June 1998. I worked in a couple of high schools before settling down at Lake Middle School, where I spent the last 11 years teaching KS3. With the closure of middle schools I took early retirement after teaching for 35 years.
With my interest in the local community I became a Freshwater Parish Councillor in May 2014. My interests are reading, music, theatre, films and pottering around in my garden.
Committees
- Planning
- Finance – Vice Chair
- Land Management and Assets
- Personnel – Chair
- Community Resilience (including Yarmouth Sea Defences)
Other Committees/Organisations
- Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Co.
Councillor Warren Whyte
I am an architect and automotive bookseller and is based in heart of Freshwater where he owns the Flaneur book and model shop on Avenue Road. In my architecture work I specialise in ecclesiastical projects and is a Quinquennial Inspector and architect for a number of churches in the Diocese of Portsmouth area, including here on the island.
I am originally from Canada but during my peripatetic career I have lived in East London, Buckinghamshire and more recently in Freshwater. In my spare time I am an advocate in sustainable transport and architecture and has spoken at a number of events and conferences on the topic.
Committees
- Library – Chair
- Planning
Other Committees/Organisations
- Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC)
- Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Co.
- Freshwater & Totland Memorial Bungalows
Councillor Emma Cox
Since joining the Parish Council in July 2021 I have served on a number of committees, attending many meetings and enjoyed numerous training sessions. As time as passed more and more residents have contacted me raising their concerns across a wide ranging of issues. Thank you, and please contact me if you have any concerns which as a Parish Councillor, I might be able to assist you with.
During my time as a Councillor, I have worked alongside my colleagues with officers to meet the ever-increasing responsibilities of the Parish Council. I will continue to push for change within the Parish Council for the benefit of the community, through increased policies, procedures and attention to details.
I am always happy to talk to residents and so if you want a chat please contact me on my Parish email or contact the Office and they will forward your message to me and I will get back to you.
Committees
- Planning – Chair
- Personnel
- Land Management & Assets
Dr Brian Hinton MBE
I am a widely published author, from poetry to the Isle of Wight Rock Festivals to the 19C Freshwater Circle. I wrote the section on Culture in the newly published Isle of Wight Book and am executive chairman at Dimbola, having helped save the house from demolition.
My aims as a councillor are saving our local heritage and enhancing facilities for local people.
Committees
- Planning
- Library
Other Committees/Organisations
- Memorial Hall Arts & Leisure Co
Councillor Bob Seely – Vice Chair
Committees
- Planning
Other Committees and Organisations
- Freshwater Bay Residents Association Liaison
Councillor Susan Betts
I grew up in NZ then came to the IoW in 1990 and brought up my 3 children in West Wight, working part time as a Keyworker in Early Years education in Totland and part time in a travel agency in Freshwater.
When the children got older I was offered a full time position in the travel agency where I stayed for ten years, eventually becoming manager.
After I was made redundant from the travel agency I ran my own small business promoting Health and Wellbeing. When my children left home I moved to Sandown to be closer to my work premises.
While there, I served as a Sandown Town Councillor and helped co found a UK registered marine conservation charity based in Sandown.
However, my heart was always in West Wight and I moved back to Freshwater in 2023, where my two grandchildren now live.
I currently work in Adult Social Care in Freshwater, registered with IWC as a PA, supporting people to retain independence and stay in their own homes.
Now that I’m back in Freshwater I am keen to immerse myself fully back into supporting and working for the local community which is why I offered to be a parish Councillor.
Memberships:
IW Green Party
HIWWT
IW Greenpeace
Blue Seas Protection
Committees
- Library
- Community Resilience
- Planning
Sally Chaucer
Councillors – Freshwater & Colwell Ward
Councillor Chris Jarman JP
Having spent a lifetime around the world inventing and developing consumer technologies, my family and I relocated to the West Wight in 2004. I had visited since the age of 5 and with relatives then at Middleton, Ventnor, Bembridge, Cowes and many points between.
We undertook the marathon restoration of our home and launched into a host of charitable works as we have supported all our lives. The annual Spring Fete at our home for the Wessex Cancer Trust, support for Mountbatten hospice, Daisy Buses to transport patients to mainland hospitals etc all brought us closer to community groups.
Following my election as the Independent Isle of Wight Councillor for Totland and Colwell in 2021, I joined both the Totland and Freshwater Parish Councils that my ward straddles. Supporting residents and community groups remains the cornerstone of my endeavours but closely followed by protection of our beautiful countryside and fragile environment.
Committees
- Finance – Chair
- Planning
Councillor Frances Turan – Chair
I moved to the island over four years ago to be close to my son and his wife in Freshwater. This wonderful village and its close-knit community have made me feel like I am living my best life, prompting me to join the Freshwater Parish Council.
My background includes serving as a Banking Insurance & Finance Union representative, where I secured final salary pension rights for part-time female employees and negotiated better terms for local staff.
I also volunteered as an adult literacy tutor in Hornchurch, Essex, for three years, gaining invaluable experience.
In Tring, Hertfordshire, I spent eighteen years involved in local council issues. Although not a councillor, I addressed community concerns by collecting evidence, canvassing residents, and presenting facts to the council. This led to significant achievements, such as installing traffic lights, removing a noisy rumble strip, and creating a public footpath.
I believe that real change requires a collaborative community and a responsive council. I look forward to working together for a better future.
Committees
- Planning
- Library – Vice Chair
- Personnel
- Land Management – Chair