My wife Liz grew up in Bradford-on-Avon and we moved from Bristol after she convinced me that it was the perfect place to raise our two boys – a thriving community with a vibrant arts scene, great sports teams and schools, in a historic setting in the heart of the countryside.

We were acutely aware of traffic and pedestrian issues. (We advise our guests to come by train to avoid parking problems; and have experienced first-hand the difficulties associated with traversing the town with a buggy!) However, I’d assumed that ‘something would be done’. Other than the traffic getting worse, infrastructure more strained, and businesses closing, in those four years nothing seems to have changed.

Talking to any number of interested and interesting residents and businesses over the past few weeks, whatever side Bradfordians have been on over the last few years, there is a consensus – now is the time for change, and if not now, when? Our town needs representation and leadership with the energy to act in the interests of the whole community making positive changes.

Professionally, and as a community volunteer in education and theatre, I have seen what a committed group with varied skills and backgrounds can achieve. It will take time and effort, but I firmly believe we can achieve the democratic Local Government that the town deserves.

We need 12 women or men to stand for the council. Organising and publicising such a campaign takes time - and resource. Those involved are already putting money behind it, but we need your support too. This page will be used solely to fund those activities - hiring halls, printing, and advertising.