This area is important to me – it is where I grew up and where I have chosen to bring up my son who attends school in the ward. I am a proud member of this community and want to work to make it even better.

I work as a teacher in County Durham and have 28 years of experience working in secondary education in a range of leadership roles. My parents were farmers in this Ward and I saw for myself the challenges they faced running a business in difficult times.

I am a Parish Councillor and member of the Area Action Partnership. I volunteered on the Lanchester Partnership Covid support group, and am on the AAP Covid Recovery Task Force supporting projects including in Castleside and Burnhope.

I am a proactive member of my community. My priorities across the ward would be road safety and supporting residents and businesses during the pandemic.