Parish Councillors & Contact Details
Kerry Barnes
We have lived in Steeple Bumpstead since 1995 and have brought up our family here, all having now flown the nest. I have been involved in many village organisations in our time in the village, including The First Responders Group, setting up The Scout Group, and The Steeple Bumpstead 3K & 10K runs. I have been part of the Parish Council since 2000 and currently as Chair. My wife and I enjoy walking the many footpaths around the village, often with our Spaniel.
Sophia Girvan
I moved to Steeple Bumpstead in 2013 when I began in my role as the minister of one of the churches in the village, Steeple Bumpstead Congregational Church. I joined the Parish Council soon after moving here, which has enabled me to learn about many different aspects of the life of the local community and the things which people are involved with and interested in. In my free time I enjoy running cross-country around the lovely footpaths and countryside of our area.
Jon Borges
I have lived in the village since 1986 and have been on the PC since 2017.
My children and grandchildren have all been part of the village all their lives and now the grandchildren attend the local primary school. We enjoy village life and have supported various groups over the years. I also like to play bowls at our excellent village club.
My current role with the PC is part of the team working on producing our very important Neighbourhood Plan and I am part of the planning and finance working groups
John Fellows
I have lived in the village, with my family, for many years.
I am involved in several of the Parish Council's working groups including; Grants, Planning and Street Lighting.
I also handle the adverts in the Yellow Book.
Peter Hill
My name is Peter Hill I have been one of your parish councillors since 2019. I have lived in the village since 1986.
I am a keen golfer and a member of the HGC and Heydon Golf Club.
I have been a member of SBBC for 15 years a committee member helping run the club and captain of the A team.
I have recently been instrumental in having the number of Fido bins around the village increased as well as litter bins. Street lights failures again I have an involvement as well.
I am also one of the deputy village emergency coordinators.
Ian Westrope
My name is Ian Westrope.
I have lived or worked in Steeple Bumpstead for 68 of my 73 years, with all my family attending the village school, as my father also did before us.
Our family business Westrope Motors in North Street is now in it's 5th generation of operation being supported by our village community.
My Interests are my family, maintaining and driving my collection of old cars together with aviation and flying.
I have always tried to be involved in village life, taking part in organisation including; Parochial charities and being a Founder and active member of the 1st Responders Group until recently. I am also a member of St Mary's Church, Moot Hall trustee for 50+ years laterally as a treasurer. A member of the Bowls club for 60+ years, having been given the honour to be their president for the last 10 Years.
Finally, I have been a Parish councillor for 21yrs in that time overseeing the restoration of our War Memorial and the ongoing aim of a Cemetery lay-by.
Ian Mackenzie
My name is Ian Mackenzie and I have been a member of the Parish Council only for a short period of time since June 2020.
I have lived in Steeple Bumpstead since 1980 and married to Gloria who has lived in the village most of her life, I have over the years tried to get myself involved in events in the village whenever possible, I am an active member of the Round Table Family having served as one of its National Presidents in 2006/2007 and currently active with Haverhill & District 41 Club and I am self-employed.
My current responsibility on the Parish Council is the Play Area on the Camping Close. Work has already been undertaken to make some necessary repairs and that work is ongoing. As well as regular inspections of all the Play equipment I have undertaken a project to look at the whole Play Area and see how improvements can be made in the future. The Play Area is very popular with many children and I welcome advice from parents and children on how we can improve this area for you.
Colin Rust
I have now lived in the village for over 30 years and have only recently become a Parish Councillor. This role is certainly something that I enjoy and I am looking forward to helping out in all aspects of the community to improve village life for everyone. When we moved here back in the early 1990’s I immediately joined the Steeple Bumpstead Bowls Club and took an active part in fundraising and helping to run the club. Over the years I have been Captain, Chairman and more recently Treasurer. When my son took an interest in football I then became involved with the Dynamos Football Club. Initially, I helped out as committee member and then took on the Treasurer’s role. My hobbies include DIY, fishing and of course bowls which takes up much of my time in the summer months.
Kate Irwin
I’m Kate Irwin the owner and landlady of the Fox & Hounds Pub. I’ve lived in the village since I purchased the pub in September 2019 and have been a member of the Parish Council since November 2020. I am currently taking on a new area of Social Media & Community Engagement within the Parish Council and am on the website working group too.
I enjoy providing a service to the village through the pub and walking my dog Milo along the many footpaths we have surrounding the village.
Julia Howard
My name is Julia and I am your Parish Clerk.
I have been employed by SBPC since March 2020 on a part time basis and have previously worked for several Essex based district and borough Councils and Essex County Council.
I don't live in the village, but in the nearby village of Great Yeldham.
I aim to help keep Steeple Bumpstead a beautiful and peaceful village.
District Councillor
Diana Garrod 07979 790637
County Councillor
David Finch 01245 430233
Working Groups
Planning - Jon Borges (lead), Chairman, John Fellows
Open spaces – Ian Mackenzie (with responsibility for the play area)
Highways - Ian Westrope (lead) & Peter Hill
Police - Peter Hill
Footpaths – Colin Rust (Lorraine Wright volunteers in this remit)
Transport (previously Travel) - Jon Borges
Yellow Book - Sophia Girvan
Website – Clerk and Colin Rust, Kate Irwin
Grants - John Fellows, Sophia Girvan
Emergency Group - Ian Westrope (lead), Sophia Girvan & Peter Hill
Neighbourhood Plan Group - Jon Borges, Chairman, Sophia Girvan
Street Lighting - John Fellows, Clerk.
Finance - Chairman, Jon Borges & Peter Hill
Personnel - Chairman, Sophia Girvan & Ian Mackenzie
Social & Community Engagement – Kate Irwin
Appointments To Other Bodies
Ann Coles Foundation - Richard Argent has agreed to be re-appointed (1 trustee appointed annually)
George Gent Foundation - (1 trustee appointed annually)
Steeple Bumpstead Parochial Charities - Chairman (2020) - Nigel Chapman (2020) - Ian Westrope (2019)
Paula Suckling (2019) - Frank Aldred is also the Parish Council representative ex officio. (4 Trustees , 2 appointed every 2 years for a 4 year term)
Moot Hall Charity - Chris Davison (2019) - Johnathan Suckling (2017)
Village Hall Management Committee - John Fellows
