Councillors and Staff


Council Staff

Town Clerk : Mrs Judith M. Hart - Click   or in an emergency phone her on 07904 033616

Town Council Admin Assistant: Ms Inga Page -  

Town Hall Administrator : Mrs Clair Stevens -

Town Ranger: Gary Quest  - .  He works on Mondays only from 9 am to 5.00 pm.  075646 11932 

 
 
Caretaker : Kiki Sykes

Relief Caretaker:

Maintenance :


 

Meet your Town Councilors...

With effect from January 2023

If you are interested in becoming a Town Councillor, you can find out more about becoming a councillor here.

Huw Cox

Chair of Town Council and Mayor

I have lived in Buckfastleigh for 20 years and work as a self-employed builder and landscaper.  My partner is a teacher and my daughter attended Buckfastleigh Primary School and is now at South Dartmoor Community College. My particular interests are affordable housing, local employment opportunities, and ensuring residents of Buckfastleigh get a fair deal and that money available is spent for the benefit of the majority of residents.

Sue Clarke

Sue Clarke photoI have lived in Buckfastleigh for 14 years and my children attended South Dartmoor Community Academy. I have spent my career working with young people and I have a strong interest in issues that affect their welfare. A big part of my life in the last year or two has been being part of the amazing group of people that run the Sports Club on Holne Road. Looking at ways to open up that facility to a more diverse group of people and encourage local youths to take time away from their electronic devices and play outdoors, is our goal.

I love Buckfastleigh, it is a unique and beautiful place, but I also appreciate the isolation, lack of opportunity and lack of employment that can affect those in rural communities. I have been impressed with the positive changes that came from electing BIG councillors in Buckfastleigh. They looked for new ways to get things done and consult with townsfolk. Most importantly, they have won the funding that’s needed to improve things and develop new projects.

I want to serve the people of Buckfastleigh and Buckfast and promise to work hard, to listen and to achieve positive change on their behalf.

 

Ron Fox

Ron FoxI have lived in Buckfastleigh for nearly 50 years so I must like this place! I've worked locally, starting in the woollen mill, then on the A38 construction before becoming self-employed as a plumber, gas fitter and kitchen fitter. My eldest of five children was born here 48 plus years ago and I have a 16 year old about to start 6th form at SDCC. I have been a town councillor for 4 years and am proud of the changes we have made to how the Council functions and the achievements of the Council over that time. I have been involved in the Amateur Dramatic Group and Chief Barbecuer for Friends of Buckfastleigh School in the past.  More recently part of the team which saved the swimming pool for the town. I am looking forward to participating in the future of our town as part of BIG19.

 

Leigh Walker-Haworth

I have lived in Buckfastleigh since December 2020, with my wife Sophie and two children Arthur and Orson. My day job is as a junior doctor in the Torbay Emergency Department, having become a doctor in my mid-thirties. My interests in being a part of the Council are to support the unique aspects of the town and the interests of local people, particularly the needs of the youngest in our community.

 

 

Paul Georghiades

We moved here in 1997 and our children grew up in Buckfastleigh. In those first years we were on low income, and I know what that feels like.

After more than 25 years in education, which didn’t allow time for much else, I’d like to contribute to this town, which has been such a lovely place for our family.

It’s probably not surprising that I’m interested in supporting and safeguarding young people, but there are needs right through the town. As a co-opted councillor, I will try to use the short time before the May elections to serve everyone.

 

 

Erin Kohler-Ockmore

Picture of Erin Kohler-OckmoreDeputy Chair of Town Council and Deputy Mayor

I have been a resident of Buckfastleigh for ten years and am a retired nurse.  My previous involvement with local activities has been with "Buck the Trend" meetings, Friends of Buckfastleigh Library (treasurer), The Seed (volunteer and director) and South Devon Railway Railway (station mistress at Staverton station).  I have been attending council meetings to gain a greater insight into the workings of the town and now feel ready to make a commitment to serving the community at large by joining it.  

Since I moved to the town, it has been revitalised thanks to a range of civic and private initiatives.  My aim as a councillor will be to promote this regeneration by supporting sustainable green projects, appropriate housing development, parking management and tourism.

 

John Bailey

My wife and I have lived in Dean Prior for 34 years and my children attended school in Buckfastleigh and Ashburton. I’m the Chairman of Buckfastleigh Football Club and Secretary of the Social Club and I want to develop sports and activity to get people happier and healthier.

I’m the owner of a successful local shop fitting company employing 90 people and have a lifetime’s experience in contracts management, project planning, budget management, communications and people management - skills that would be really helpful on the Town Council to help ensure we’re managing money, assets and people properly to make the most of the opportunities available.

I’m not allied to any political party but I am working with the BIG19 team to use my skills to assist local people, businesses, sports and leisure facilities to make life better for everyone in our great town.

 

Sylvia Phillips

I’ve enjoyed living in Buckfastleigh for over thirty years.  My children all attended Buckfastleigh Primary School; in the past my mother taught there and I was a school governor for a while.  For a number of years I helped organise Children’s festivals in Victoria Park.  Currently I’m a member of the French Twinning Association, also a trustee with the Valiant Soldier and for the Bungalow Youth Project. 

I have a degree in fine art and in my spare time enjoy any arts and crafts pursuits.  My last employment was as a manager of Adult and Community Learning for Devon County Council; therefore I have a good understanding of local government and the importance of education for all.  The current economic climate is difficult; however I’m keen to help find ways to see Buckfastleigh become a thriving community once again. 

 

 

Mark Jefferys

I have lived in Buckfastleigh for 4 years, with my wife and two teenage boys and we all really love the town and all that happens here!

Most of my career has been spent in the outdoors, connecting young people to the natural world through 'Earth Education' programmes, and I'm passionate about giving everyone this opportunity.

For the last 6 years, I have been working for the 'Network of Wellbeing', in the role of Share Shed manager, where I drive the worlds first mobile library of things to local communities, including Buckfastleigh, and also run family events.

This has been a really positive way to meet many local people from across the whole community,

I'm also a keen musician, so you may well see me from time to time at the open mic nights, or even busking in town with my younger son!

I have recently joined the Town Council to contribute to the future of this wonderful place in a positive and sustainable way.