Councillors
The Council May 2023
Cllr Polly Smith - Chairman
I moved to Weston Rhyn in 2014 from South Shropshire. Prior to moving I have been both a Town Clerk and a Parish Clerk for 20 years so I have a good knowledge of local government. I am involved in various groups in the parish, a partner on the 3 Parishes Big Local, Chair of the 3 Parishes Community Wildlife Group, co-ordinator of the newly formed Parish Paths Partnership P3 group and on the Community Led Steering Group for the new STAR development at Aspen Grange. I volunteer at the Orthopaedic Hospital and the National Trust at Chirk Castle. I very much hope that my experience will mean I can give a valuable contribution to Weston Rhyn.
Cllr Phil Barnett - Vice Chairman
I have worked in various aspects of water treatment most of my working life, both as a chemist and chemical engineer. I am now a volunteer driver with Dial-A-Ride/ Community Cars in Oswestry.
Cllr John Alwyn Hughes - Past Chairman
Cllr Sue Barnett
I was born and bred in Warrington and met my husband Phil in a lab. We have lived in Cheshire, South Wales, the Middle East, Berkshire, and now lovely Shropshire. Parish Council meetings are very interesting, everyone should come along to see for themselves!
Cllr James Bavin
Since moving from Bournemouth to Weston Rhyn in 2017, I have become a member of the Weston Rhyn steering group and I am a room Guide at Chirk castle. I want to help to make Weston Rhyn a better and more sustainable place in which to live.
Cllr Sheila Haskell
I was born in, and lived in Oswestry and moved to Weston Rhyn 28 years ago. I have three children and want to enrich the village for the young and elderly alike.
Cllr Paul Herbert
I was born and raised in the parish, went to Weston Rhyn school and live in Bronygarth. I love the place and would like to try to help make it even better so decided to get involved with the Parish Council. Having worked in local government (Environmental Health at Wrexham Council) for many years I've gained a good understanding of what can be achieved to improve local facilities and the environment and have the energy and determination to speak up for our communities. I'm involved with Bronygarth Social Committee and enjoy fitting cycling, jogging, music festivals, film, comedy & organic gardening around a busy family life with Emma and the kids.
Cllr Alison Layland
I have lived in the parish since 2016. A writer and translator, I have lived in village communities in various places around the UK, and have enjoyed getting involved in local life and organisations wherever I have lived, including fundraising to provide playground equipment and organising local events. I want to use my experience to help improve the facilities in Weston Rhyn, and am especially keen to nurture the environment and ensure the sustainability of our parish for the benefit of all who live here as well as future generations. I volunteer for a couple of local organisations and am currently editor of The Wren, our free parish magazine.
Cllr Pam Manley
I have lived in the village for 32 years, was a parish councillor for 2 years in the early 1990s before returning to full time employment in the building industry as administration clerk, then as Health and Safety Officer and CDM compliance officer until retirement ten years ago. I have a wide range of local knowledge, and an interest in safety, environment and wildlife protection.
Cllr John Mattocks
I have lived in Weston Rhyn for 24 years moving here from Caergwrle near Wrexham. From Bristol originally I moved up to NE Wales in 1975 for work. I am a town planner by profession and worked initially for the then Clwyd County Council before moving to Central Government in 1985. My main objective is to ensure that Weston Rhyn develops as a flourishing community whilst protecting its essential character and rural environment. To that end I chaired a group of local residents who produced a village plan in the early 2000s. It is important that residents should have a say in the future development of the village which, I consider, is best achieved through the production of a Neighbourhood Plan. I am keen to see an improvement in the network of footpaths within the parish, to achieve greater sustainability in line with the climate change agenda and to secure improvements in village recreational facilities. I aim to see an improvement to existing bus services, including the introduction of a Sunday service.
Cllr Maggie Rowlands
I have lived in Chirk Bank since 1996 and became a parish councillor in 2011/12 after retiring early from being Shropshire Council’s Community Regeneration Officer for our Three Parishes area. As a councillor I am most involved in community support and with planning within our parish. I am a member of the Three Parishes Big Local partnership https://big-local.org/ and active with Old Oswestry Hillfort groups. I sit on the Steering Group for the Community Led Housing project in Aspen Grange. I have degrees in Geology and Heritage management. My hobbies and interests include canals, sailing, wildlife, the environment and archaeology and I am desperately trying to find time to return to my first love, palaeontology. However I hate unfairness so continue to be drawn to working to make our parish a better place for us all.
maggierowlandswrpc@talktalk.net
01691 773197
Cllr James Wallace
I have lived in Weston Rhyn for over 8 years and care very much about the future of the Parish. With over 34 years in industry and 9 years working with children in care, I have seen both private and social elements of society. I will put that experience to good use for the people of Weston Rhyn Parish.
The list of Parish Councillors up to May 2021
Notice of Uncontested Election 2021
Clerk to the Council
Helen Belton
07903 119412
Weston Rhyn Parish Council,
PO Box 2458,
Wrexham
LL11 0RH
