Councillors

I first moved to Wotton in 1971 with my parents while at university. I then spent my career as a Chartered Engineer (Civil Engineer) in Birmingham spending the last 25 years as a Highway Engineer retiring as a Senior Project Manager. In 2002 I moved back to Wotton with my wife Val and our two children Hannah and Ben both of whom went to KLB.  I was elected as a District Councillor in 2003, standing down in 2015. During those twelve years I spent some nine years as Chairman and Vice Chairman of three committees. Also, I was elected as a Town Councillor in 2003 until I stood down in 2019. During this period, I served as Mayor and Chairman for six terms, Deputy Mayor for three terms and Chairman of the Planning Committee for three terms. I have been involved as a volunteer over the years, since moving back to Wotton, in a number of organizations, for example as Group Scout Leader of the Wotton Scout Group, The Ark, The Wotton Twinning Society. I first joined the Town Council as I care about the future of Wotton and wanted to put something back and maximize current and future opportunities, which is why I have rejoined the Council after a four year break. In my spare time I enjoy photography, music and reading.

You can contact Councillor Smith via email at:  Paul.smith@wotton-under-edge.com

I joined the Council in 2011 and served as Mayor and Chairman of the Council from May 2013 to May 2015 and again from May 2019 to May 2022.  I was Deputy Mayor in 2012/13 and 2017/19 and was Chairman of the Planning Committee in 2012/13 and 2018/19.     I moved to Kingwood village with my wife, Jill, in 1996 when my work was re-located from London to Bristol and moved to Wotton in 2001.    Our two children attended KLB School.        I am a Chartered Engineer by profession and retired from the Civil Service in 2008 where I was awarded an OBE in 2004 for my service with the Ministry of Defence.  Although not a “local” by historical standards I care very much about the future of Wotton and joined the Council to make my contribution to the community.   I am a keen hill walker and am normally out with my dog up and around Wotton Hill on most mornings.

You can contact Councillor Claydon via email at rclaydon@wotton-under-edge.com 

John has been a Town Councillor since 1979 and was Wotton’s County Councillor from 1981 to May 2021 and is now an Honorary Alderman of Gloucestershire County Council. Over the years he has served seven terms as Town Mayor and has also been Chairman of Gloucestershire County Council and has held other leading positions on the County Council. He takes a particular interest in local history and has written three leaflets about the town. His main areas of interest on both councils are in planning and transport issues and in public rights of way. He worked in the nuclear power industry at Berkeley as a metallurgist. You can contact Councillor Cordwell via email at jcordwell@wotton-under-edge.com

Cllr Cordwell Register of Interests

I have lived in Wotton for 67 years.  After leaving school I completed a five year apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery with Jotcham and Kendall.  I started my own business in 1970, carrying out all aspects of building working and around Wotton, for well over 45 years. I care about Wotton and becoming a Councillor and feel I could  put something back. Now retired, I am a Cotswold Volunteer Warden  carrying out all types of projects around the district.  I also drive for Wotton Volunteers and am a volunteer patient drive for Longfield Hospice. You can contact Councillor Lewis via email at jlewis@wotton-under-edge.com

I was born in London and moved to Bristol in my early 20’s, moved to Hillesley, then 30 years ago to Wotton Under Edge where my parents were already living. My career has included: A marketing and event management role for a software house in Bristol, covering  the UK and Europe. For an educational charity that supports the development of work and life skills in young people with autism and other learning difficulties. Roles included admissions and staff training in the UK. After having children, I worked as school secretary in a primary school in the local area. I retired just over a year ago and currently work as a volunteer for the Keepers Wotton Area Community Hub. I am involved in a variety of tasks and events (gardening/crafts/reception/driving to name but a few).  The Keepers are providing a wonderful welcoming space, support and help for the area and I am very happy to be involved. When I am not having fun with my young grandchildren, you will find me creating, gardening, walking and visiting family and friends. You can contact Councillor Tyler via email at Jane.tyler@wotton-under-edge.com

This is my first time as a town councillor for Wotton Under Edge. I have lived in this lovely, unique town for 15 years and raised my children here. I have volunteered as a breastfeeding counsellor supporting new mothers. I’m a children’s author and illustrator and am passionate about supporting literacy in our schools and have run a number of school events as well as running free well-being art classes at Prema arts centre to support local artistic endeavour. I’m looking forward to getting involved in the town council and supporting our wonderful community. You can contact Councillor Coy via email at Eve.coy@wotton-under-edge.com

I have lived in Wotton under Edge all my life and I own a business in the town that my family established in 1896. I was elected as a Town Councillor in 2018. I want Wotton to be a vibrant town for both business, social and leisure activities and also a pleasant area to live in. We need to see a positive forward thinking Town Council embracing the need for change and involved in projects to improve the facilities of the town. I was elected by the community to pursue those aspirations. I have been an enthusiastic supporter for the Symn Lane Car Park which will provide much needed additional parking for the town with great benefits for the local economy. I have also since becoming a councillor been pursuing funding for renewable energy projects in the town which will lower the council energy costs and help the planet. Some progress is being made in that area. My social activities include walking and cycling. I will continue to promote the town to the best of my ability.

You can contact Councillor Thomas via email at dthomas@wotton-under-edge.com

Cllr Thomas Register of Interests

I decided to become a Town Councillor for the first time as I love living in Wotton but had started to take for granted all the wonderful amenities that the Town provides. I feel that supporting the Town Council as a Councillor is a good way to give something back to the Town that has and continues to be such a wonderful place to live. I’m a chartered accountant by profession and have worked in a wide variety of industries including biotechnology, nuclear power, aeroponics and closest to my heart, renewable energy. I stopped working a few years ago and now volunteer at Newark Park, WWT Slimbridge, support our lovely parkrun as well as being a Trustee for an educational charity (https://pwischarity.org). For fun, I like to run around (quite slowly), ride my bike, hike and travel. Perhaps not so much fun is using my Stoke City FC season ticket, but it does have its moments. I hope that I can make positive difference to the Town during my time as a Councillor.

You can contact Councillor Jones via email at Paul.Jones@wotton-under-edge.com

I have lived most of my life in Wotton and worked locally at Cotswold Collotype. Cotswold Collotype was a fine art printing firm, the only one of its type left in the country giving an exact replica with no screen or dot. However, I was in the gravure side of the firm printing flexible packaging, Brooke Bond tea labels, producing tea bag envelopes/tags, Mars/Snicker bar wrappers, Cadbury chocolate wrappers, and a host of other well-known named products. I was a shop steward for many years giving me a grounding of how to deal with a host of problems not just looking after fellow printers but working with management trying to ensure the firm stayed healthy and profitable. I joined the Town Council about 8 years ago with a special interest in improving services for young people. I also worked with Wotton Area Climate Action Network (WACAN), our Local Climate Action Network, a hard-working group of lovely people. I also was Chairman of the Allotments Committee and sat on other committees over the years. I grow my own produce in the garden (right now just digging tasty new potatoes) and looking like a good runner bean crop! In the past I also wrote poetry and painted but both not exactly earth moving! I do my best to support local communities and I am proud to be back as a Town Councillor after a break of about 4 months, I am keen to improve the town for all.

You can contact Councillor Barton via email at Paul.Barton@wotton-under-edge.com