Hertford Castle Ward (Three Candidates)

Jim Thornton

For the last eight years I have had the privilege of representing Hertford Castle Ward on East Herts Council.  As founder and first Chair of the Back Bench Committee, the last two years have been an unpleasant experience, and I no longer believe I can get things done by fighting behind closed doors. I would like to represent you as an Independent, and now believe that Party Loyalties at local level can actually work against democracy. I am a long-serving governor of Richard Hale School, and also a Governor of Haileybury. I am a Reader at St Andrews Church in Hertford, and own and run a group of companies based in Hertford that are involved in property management.I am married to Viv, a nurse, and our three children were educated locally. I started East Herts People to encourage good people, like John and Anna, to stand as Independent candidates, and to try and interest more young people in giving leadership in the community. I want to campaign for more affordable housing, the completion of a worthwhile skatepark, and a vibrant, clean and safe Town Centre. Please feel free to contact me on Jim.Thornton@EHPeople.org with your comments.

Anna Fenton

I was born in Hertford and have lived in Hertford for the majority of my life. I attended Morgans Walk JMI and Simon Balle School before studying Art & Design at Hertford Regional College and then Interior Design at London Guildhall University. After leaving university I worked in the Visual Merchandising industry before training to become a secondary school teacher where I felt I could really begin to make a difference to people's lives. I have now been teaching Technology and Art for over five years and will shortly be taking a career break to have my first child in September. My interests lie in Art & Design as well as playing rugby for league winning Hertford Ladies. As I have spent a great deal of my life associated with Hertford, I feel it is time I should stand up and be counted in a community that is often unrepresented by people who think as I do. I would like to represent you as an Independent East Herts Councillor. I am particularly passionate about developing the lack of provisions for young people in the area and also as a female I feel that I can give a voice to the many who often feel unheard. Together with your support I feel we can really make changes that matter in Hertford our County Town. Please feel free to contact me on Anna.Fenton@EHPeople.org with your comments.

John Barber

I am 59 and moved on to Folly Island in 1996 where I have lived ever since. I am currently Town Centre Manager in Hertford, a position I have held for five years. My son and daughter attended local schools and my wife works at Waitrose. On leaving school I was a media buyer for a leading West End advertising agency, and then left for a role in international banking with National Westminster Bank plc. I then ran an off licence in Buntingford, and on the birth of my daughter became a freelance writer. Soon after moving to Hertford I was elected chairman of the Folly Island Residents Association and with other committee members campaigned for the residents’ parking zone recently introduced. We also successfully opposed a large scale building development. I was invited on to the fun day committee and have helped run this since 2001.  I organised the Hertford Music Festival, and have been involved in many other town centre events. As Town Centre Manager I was responsible for introducing the Hertford Town Watch Scheme whereby shops and bars are connected to CCTV by radio; I introduced and promoted the monthly farmers’ market and am also chairman of Hertford Pubwatch. I am currently leading on the Hidden Britain project to promote Hertford as a major tourist destination. Why do I want to be an East Herts Councillor?  Not one day goes by without someone saying to me: “But John, Hertford is the county town.” As a person who lives and works in the town I want to see more investment in our county town. I want to campaign for Hertford to be a place that people want to come and visit; where the streets and especially our car parks are clean, a place that is safe and where our traditional shops are not lost to high street multiples. I feel that I can only achieve this by representing the Ward as an Independent to make Hertford a true County Town. Please feel free to contact me on John.Barber@EHPeople.org with your comments.

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