Bishopstoke Parish Council has all-out elections this year for all fifteen of its councillors. This year, Bishopstoke is split into 5 wards: Itchen, Riverside, Stoke Common, Underwood and Whalesmead, each with 3 councillor positions. The last time there were all-out parish council elections in Bishopstoke, all 4 independents who stood were elected: 100% success. We have a few more candidates this time.
Riverside ward starts at the river by The Hub and stretches to Harvey Road, Devine Gardens and Hamilton Road to the east. Its northern boundary is Spring Lane & the junction between Church Road and Stoke Park Road. Voters will be able to cast 3 votes for 3 candidates.
Dave Francis and Louise Hillier-Wheal are standing as independents in this ward. We’re featuring Dave today, in his own words, so you can virtually get to know him. To find out more, Dave’s happy for you to give him a ring on 023 8061 7308 or email him via bishopstoke.independent@gmail.com
“Hello my name is Dave Francis and like you I live in Bishopstoke.
Following many years of visiting the area for; walking, cycling and running (whilst living in Eastleigh), my family and I took the opportunity to move here in 2013 when a house “in need of improvement” came on the market..
Like many local people we saw that the area offers a “peoples’ parkland” of quality green spaces, ancient woodland walks and an excellent river environment. The recent COVID19 restrictions have shown just how important these green spaces are to local people.
My reason for putting myself forward for the Parish Council is to represent LOCAL people affected by LOCAL issues. We also have a responsibility now to address the greatest crisis to face our children and grandchildren, climate change. I firmly believe that measures we undertake at a local level can have a positive impact.
Moving here was an opportunity to try something new, so I signed up for an allotment at Jockey Lane in need of some T.LC. I can report that the hard work has borne fruit…. and vegetables! without pesticides and packaging!
If elected I intend being proactive and get things done, not just sit in meetings. I will use my experience gained in delivering projects as required by past jobs with Bournemouth, and Eastleigh Boroughs and Southampton City. When living in the Newtown Area of Eastleigh I was involved with the local residents association, so have some experience in representing grass roots views and concerns, and working with Local Councillors.
If the name Francis is familiar it is because my wife Johanna has been a Parish Councillor for 5 years but has reluctantly decided to stand down due to her increasing work commitments with the NHS. I hope that I can successfully pick up the baton and continue the work for the residents in the Parish.”
Promoted by and on behalf of: Louise Anne Parker-Jones, Gin Tidridge, Ray Dean, Dave Francis, Louise Hillier-Wheal, Anne Dean, Susan Lynch and Ralph Candy. Postal Address: Bishopstoke Independents, The IncuHive Space, Mayflower Close, Chandler’s Ford Industrial Estate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 4AR.