Your Council

Ian Firth

COUNCILLOR
​CHAIR

Ian is a Chartered Surveyor with a background in Rural Estate Management, Planning and Architecture.

Ian lives in Fairfield Green (No.40) with his wife: Rebecca; Daughter: Emily and their lunatic dog; Skye. 
Aside from chairing Parish Council Ian is also an assistant unit leader at 1st Hemyock Scouts, and has lived and worked in Churchinford and the Blackdown Hills area for around 20 years. His personal interests lie in entrepreneurship, rural pursuits, cycling, wild camping, extreme sports and technology...

Kerry Thorne

COUNCILLOR
​VICE-CHAIR

In the real world Kerry works for Devon County Council as an Early Years & Childcare Advisor (East Devon)

Kerry Lives just over the parish boundary at Lamb Park with her partner Chris.
Despite her Devon Address (by little more than 200 yards!) Kerry is a highly approachable, larger than life member of our village community.  She is often found supporting community events and is known to enjoy the occasional tipple in the York!

Julie Wardle

CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
​

Contact:
01823 299788​
Clerk@ChurchstantonPC.co.uk

Julie is the council's sole employee and is our Proper Officer & Responsible Financial Officer. Although relatively new to the role of Parish Clerk, Julie has a great 'can do attitude' and is more than happy to assist with any council related matters.  Julie's role is part time and so we are extremely grateful for her organisational skills and pragmatic approach to getting the job done (which is not easy with such a tight budget and limited resources!)

Andrew Crabb

COUNCILLOR

Andrew (known to most as "Carrot") is the son of a local farmer and grew up at Trent's farm in Churchinford.

Carrot spent much of his youth travelling as an environmental activist.  Now he lives with Scruffy (his dog) in a converted barn back at the family farm and is the co-owner in a local oak frame manufacturing company (OAF).  Carrot's working life has given him some unique experiences and so he has a broad perspective on the world and maintains a strong position for the needs of future generations in the parish!

Ian Foxwell

COUNCILLOR

Ian's family have been well known in the parish for many generations and will undoubtedly remain so for many more!

Having grown up in Churchinford, Ian now lives in Barns Close with his wife Hannah and three kids. 
Ian has a wealth of knowledge on historical parish matters and is very well read.
Ian works locally in the agricultural sector and (with Hannah's assistance) is known to supply some fantastic seasonal fayer (c/o Foxy's Fine Foods!)

Helen Humble

COUNCILLOR

Helen grew up in the Blackdown Hills (Birchwood) and moved to Wellesley Way in Churchinford in 2014.

Helen recently retired from a 33 year career at the NHS and finished her tenure as a District Nursing Team Leader.
Helen has not one but two degrees and a post grad diploma in Management

Ken Pearson

COUNCILLOR

Ken was previously employed as the Parish Clerk and liked it so much he decided to stand for election in 2019!

Ken is a CILCA qualified Parish Clerk and an ex-deputy leader of the former Taunton-Deane Borough Council.  He is thus a mine of information and a stickler for detail in Local Government matters.
Ken now lives in Churchinford (Fairfield Green) and, amongst other things, is employed as Clerk to Stockland Parish Council as well as being an FA Referee, Union representative for the ALCC.

Dan Prettejohn

COUNCILLOR

The infamous Pub Land-Lord, proprietor of the York Inn and undisputed king of the one liner...

Since he took on The York in 2017 Dan has taken the treasured heart of our community from strength to strength.
Dan is quite literally at the heart of the Churchinford / Churchstanton community and, from his unique position, offers a great insight into the day to day happenings in the area.  Dan is highly approachable and has a genuine desire for the parish and its residents to flourish.