The Liberal Democrats have a full slate of six strong candidates for the Elvet & Gilesgate ward of the City of Durham Parish Council.

We say goodbye to the excellent Councillor Mandy Ross, who has moved to her native Northumberland. Big thanks to Mandy for her excellent contributions and hard work over the years.

Cllr Carole Lattin

I came up to Durham as a university student – and liked it so much, I have never left. I have lived in several areas of the city, raised my children here, and worked locally – at New College, and other nearby colleges. I eventually spent 8 years at North Tyneside College as Deputy Principal. I had 4 years as a college inspector. I also trained as a counsellor, volunteering with Relate and for the last 20 years I worked as a counsellor for local GP surgeries. I was elected a Parish Councillor for Belmont 2 years ago, am Secretary of Gilesgate Residents Association and on local Patient Participation groups.  My passions are the environment and the health of the community in which I live. I enjoy meeting people and making a positive difference. I am an active member of The Friends of Pelaw Wood and my current project is refurbishing and revitalising Dragon Park. When times allow, I can be found working in St. Cuthbert’s Hospice Charity shop in Claypath. During Covid, I have worked with Gilesgate Covid Volunteers, supporting the establishment of the wellbeing table, food collections, toiletries for patients in hospital and telephone befriending schemes. I have also been working as a telephone supporter for the NHS.

Dr Rob Hanson

I came to Durham for the University, I stayed for the people and their city. I have lived here for the best part of a decade, teaching politics, economics and ethics at the university, whilst getting my doctorate, and volunteering for the NHS. I got into politics because I wanted to do good, not just write and teach about it. During my time here as a student and a lecturer, I have volunteered my time and mentored individuals struggling with grief, anxiety, and depression, and worked on various programmes designed to make the university work for the city and its people. If elected I would dedicate my time on the Council to enhancing the future of our high streets, local businesses, and the environment.

Cllr Richard Ormerod

Cllr Richard Ormerod has been your County Councillor since 2013 and has served on the newly formed Durham City Parish Council since 2018. His exemplary record of positive service to our community has won recognition throughout the City.

A family man who grew up in Lancashire, Richard has lived in Durham since 1996.  He is married to Amanda and they have two children, Isabel and James, both of whom attend Durham Johnston School.  He is employed as a researcher for another north-east council but in the past has worked in the telecommunications, printing and music industries. He is a vegan and supports all law-abiding animal welfare groups. Richard attends St Giles Church and is a governor at St Oswald’s CE Aided Primary School (the only state school in the ward) where he chairs the Admissions Committee.

In partnership with Councillor David Freeman, Richard has worked hard to bring improvements to our area, especially to the play areas and the historic city centre. He is keen to protect our historic city, whilst ensuring that it has a vibrant future, most particularly by assisting local small businesses wherever possible.

Ed Johnson-Williams

I’m running for the parish council to help make life better for the people who live here, work here, and visit here. Championing and advocating for Durham’s small businesses will be my priority on the parish council. Durham’s got to do everything it can to help its small businesses get back on their feet after Covid. So much of the character of our city’s streets comes from our independent businesses. Our shops, restaurants and cafes are a great reason for people to visit the city and they provide jobs for the people who live here. We can’t lose that. I live in Durham with my wife and two sons, and I work for a charity called Traidcraft Exchange. It’s my job to campaign for governments and big businesses to make trade fairer and help people in the world’s poorest countries.

Helen Gratton Weston

Helen Gratton Weston has lived in the City of Durham for 40 years and within the parish boundary since 1984.  She has two daughters who were educated in Durham, Edinburgh and Cambridge who chose to return to the North East and both live and teach in Newcastle. She also has three grandchildren.

She is married to Michael and they live in Elvet.

Helen was appointed lecturer at New College Durham in 1967 and taught in schools and college for 12 years, moving to part-time and supply work once her children were born. She has served as a governor in the primary and secondary sector and enjoyed being part of a learning community.  She has also enjoyed being a member of governing bodies of both primary and secondary schools, and also St. Mary’s College.

Helen believes that sport is vital for improving the health and well-being of both young and old and would like to see the city active in promoting and protecting sports facilities.  Still an active sportswoman herself she has served on the North East Sports Board.

If elected to the parish council Helen would see her role as responding to the needs of local business, the University and the local residents working as a single community, while balancing the interests of all.  She believes that our city must meet the challenge needed to thrive in a post-covid world.

Cllr David Freeman

I have lived in Durham all my life and work in the city centre as a Civil Servant at HM Passport Office, where I am also a trade union representative. In the past I worked in local government in Durham and also served in the Territorial Army with the Light Infantry based at Gilesgate Barracks. I am presently a trustee of the Bow Trust which runs the Durham Museum in St Mary le Bow in The Bailey, and of a local charity which helps young people in the Durham City area gain skills and educational opportunities. I have been the area’s County Councillor for 16 years and have also been a Parish Councillor on the Liberal Democrat-run City of Durham Parish Council since it was set up 3 years ago. During that time I have worked with our local communities and residents’ associations to improve our green spaces, play areas, streets and city centre to make Durham a better place to live. I have never shied away from challenging Labour’s bosses at County Hall on the poor decisions it makes in relation to our city. I am very involved in planning issues, trying to get better developments and opposing the many poor applications. I have campaigned for years for stronger planning policies to protect our city. There is much more to do to make Durham City better. Our new parish council has certainly helped in becoming a strong voice for Durham City but we also need councillors at County Hall who will hold it to account.

   Leave a comment