Martin Cole, Chair

I am a Parish Councillor of 30 yrs , not all at the same time having been chairman for a period of  that time. At the age of 5 I came to school here in Brailes and continued my education locally. I became a resident of Brailes in 1974 , I married in St. George’s Church Brailes and have a  grown up son and daughter. I am heavily involved in village life being,  highly active in the running and organising of Brailes Show being chairman and president along the way. I am a trustee on Brailes Charities (Allotments) being chairman for a period of time and I am also a trustee on Brailes Free School Foundation charity.

Brailes has such a good community spirit, a thriving Primary school active village hall and a large playing field.  It would be good to get the sports clubs re-rectified again, a lot of generosity and work by residents has been done in the play area, this has made the village attractive to everyone. We must make sure affordable housing is available for our younger residents to reside here and need to provide this for our senior residents as well. Vehicle speed through the village is a big concern at the moment.

Ronan Woods, Vice-Chair

I have lived in Brailes for 17 years, but have been part of the community my whole life. I was introduced to village life by my grandparents as a child and have been attending Brailes Show, The Three Hills walk and various other groups and events since. I have been a keen member of Louise’s drama club for much of this time. Last year I joined Sustainable Brailes and took on a small plot as part of our allotment group. Eager to put my degree in Politics and Modern History to good use I joined the PC in May 2023. I am particularly passionate about tackling the age-old problem of speeding, as well as the possibility of installing some form of renewable community-owned energy in the village.

Amanda Wasdell, Clerk

I have been clerk to Brailes Parish Council for a number of years now.  has many rewards and benefits.  I lived in Brailes from 2005 until 2014 so I know many of the residents and making small changes to enhance daily lives is so rewarding.

Louise Appleton, Councillor

I have been a resident of Brailes for 20 years, currently living in Cow Lane and my three boys all went to Brailes Primary school. I have always involved myself in the village, I was a school Governor for a while and spent over 10 years running a drama club for young people in the village, putting on at least one play a year and am still directing the bi-annual Panto… which keeps me laughing. I have been a Councillor for four and a half years now and as part of this helped bring the current Neighbourhood plan into being. I am passionate that Brailes and Winderton should remain picturesque villages, but also grow in a sustainable way, enabling younger people and families to live here, keeping our amenities (shops, school, clubs) open and thriving. As a Councillor, I am also the PC representative on the village hall committee and the Sustainable Brailes group, the latter has a community allotment, has helped to plant over 100 trees in Brailes and introduced a thermal camera to look at heat loss in buildings (which any villager can borrow).

Chris Ivin, Councillor

I was born in Shipston on Stour and have been a resident of Brailes, living in Henbrook Lane, for the last 18 years and have been a Brailes Parish Councillor since 2019. I have also been a trustee of the Brailes Charities (a charity to help residents in need within the village) for many years and have been its chair for the last 4 years. I am very keen on protecting the environment and local wildlife, being an active member of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust both as a volunteer helping to manage Hampton Wood nature reserve for the last 40 years and I was also a trustee of the charity for 18 years.   I also have an allotment in Brailes and enjoy growing my own fruit and vegetables as well as also helping to run the allotments which are owned by the Brailes Charities. I am keen that Brailes and Winderton should remain thriving villages with a full range of local amenities for it’s residents.

Anne Sayers, Councillor

I moved to Winderton over 20 years ago with my partner Richard and our daughter. After many years in the corporate world I now work locally as a funeral celebrant. I never ceased to be amazed just how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country, amongst an amazing community, with some great local amenities and events. I have always  supported Brailes and Winderton village events and volunteered on the day when extra hands have been needed. I was and still am an active member of  the COVID support group, which has gone on to do more varied things to support the village.  I am a relatively new member of the Parish Council and joined as I am keen to help ensure the village continues to thrive for future generations.

Darren Mellor-Clark, Councillor

My family and I have been living in Brailes for a little over six years, having moved here from London in September 2017. I wouldn’t say that we’re fully immersed in the village as yet, but it’s a small milestone that people no longer refer to our home as “John Dudridge’s house”! I like to think I’ve done my best to contribute to village life, having served as a governor at the school for a couple of years (during the transition to academy trust status), helped to set up the COVID support group in the village and donned a dress for the village panto (a very svelte size 22).  If COVID taught me anything it was the power of community, the value of belonging as opposed to valuing my belongings. As part of the parish council I hope to help Brailes thrive as a village – a vibrant home for young and old, a fertile base for our amazing local businesses and a beautiful, verdant, gem in the Cotswolds. Despite a 25 year (and counting) career messing about in international banking and tech companies, I’m very much a novice in parish council matters. I’m looking forward to learning. If I can help you along the way – give me a shout!

Tracy King, Councillor

I have been a resident of Brailes for 21 happy years. Both my children have attended mum’s and tots, pre-school and Brailes Primary school. I re-started Brailes Guides and was Captain for 11 years. I was a member of Brailes WI and on the committee, I am a founding member of the Ladies in Pink, who raise funds for Cancer Research every year and have helped at the 3 Hills Walk and Brailes Show. I want the best for Brailes so have joined the Parish Council to give my support. I am a very approachable individual so feel free to contact me with concerns or ideas for the village and I will be happy to get them discussed.