SAMRA, Solihull and Meriden Residents Association

Linda Brown, MA, BA(Hons) – Blythe Ward Battling local campaigner Linda has lived in the Blythe Ward for over 30 years. A retired healthcare worker Linda believes there should be no more cuts to frontline services but instead to waste and bureaucracy, a local Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust member, and continuous volunteer in community groups she continues to strive and help others. Linda’s priorities include giving residents a greater say. Meaning there should be greater consultation and involvement of local people in big decision making and would allow people to vote on the issues, in local referendums if they can gather the signatures of 20% of the electorate in support. Linda has fought many campaigns on behalf of residents across Blythe and intends to fight Lib/Lab plans to build new houses on our wards protected Green Belt land, which safeguards our countryside from encroachment. www.linda4blythe.co.uk	Neill Watts - Shirley East Ward Neill Watts was born on November the 11th 1970 and has lived in Solihull since 1974. He attened Langley Infant and Junior School and then Malvern Hall Comprehensive School. After leaving School in 1986 he went to work for Safeway Supermarkets in Shirley. After 16 happy years he left and then worked for Solihull Conservatives as the Campaign Director. From from August 2007 til August 2010 he worked for Whitbread Plc as a Store Manager for Costa Coffee at Birmingham Airport. Neill is married to his wonderful and supportive wife Hayley, they married in July 2006, and have a Son called Oliver, born in September 2009. Neill was first elected to Solihull Council in May 2000 and served for four very happy years representing the residents of Shirley East Ward. During his time as a Councillor he served on the Planning Committee, Education Committee and many Sub-Committee's. Neill has also been a School Governor of Lyndon Secondary School and Streetsbrook Infant and Nursery School. Neill and his Wife Hayley are both members of the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. Neill is the SAMRA Parliamentary Spokesman for the Solihull Constituency, and is the Vice-Chairman of Solihull Ratepayers Association www.neillwatts.com
Trevor Eames - Shirley South Ward Trevor Eames is a very experienced Campaigner who knows his way around the Council system. He lives in Shirley and was an Independent Ratepayer Councillor for Shirley South for 18 years and understands the area and its problems. Now retired he has held senior positions in Industry and was a Company Director. He has also spent 8 years working with Special Needs Primary Children in Oxford. In Oxford Trevor helped organise major protests to Tony Blair’s Iraq War while in Shirley he led the LAYCA campaign for the Community Centre. Trevor is the very active Secretary of the Solihull Ratepayers Association and regularly represents the Taxpayers Alliance in Solihull. Lives at 12 Ashwell Drive Shirley 733 8081 Email trevoreames@solihullratepayers.com	Karen Socci - Shirley West Ward Karen is a true Local Shirley candidate, born in Solihull and a lifelong Shirley Resident who grew up in Bills Lane and was educated at St James Primary, Lighthall and Matthew Boulton College. A background in the Health Service she brings a wealth of practical experience to the SAMRA organisation having a full insight in to healthcare having worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Solihull Hospital, Heartlands and in the private sector at BUPA Parkway. She is currently a Programme Manager with responsibility for the management of education for Pharmacy Support Staff at Birmingham Metropolitan College. Karen has a close interest in education having served on Mill Lodge PTA and recognises the importance of music and sports as extracurricular activities in local schools. She is an active member of Solihull Ratepayers Association and enjoys playing the cornet at local events with Shirley Brass Band and walking the family Labrador “Ebby” She is married with two teenage children to husband Steve who runs a successful music business. Karen Lives in the heart of Shirley West Ward at 177a Nethercote Gardens Solihull Lodge 4th February 2011
Cllr. Patrick Nash – Meriden Ward Patrick has a first class record of standing up for what is right for his village community. Since moving Chadwick End in 2005 he has certainly got things done even if it meant treading on a few toes along the way. 56 year old Patrick is ably supported by his wife Elizabeth and has a practical business background as a Consultant in the Food Industry. A Balsall Common Councillor since 2007 he is well supported by the local village community, where he has made a huge difference to the community. He has led campaigns from turning derelict land into allotment plots, repairing the Village Hall after the 2007 floods. It was also Patrick who discovered Government Funds were available to support recreational facilities and led to the £40,000 grant that provided the New Village Play Area and Nature Trail. The New 30 mph Speed Limit through the village was another campaign with which Patrick was closely associated. SAMRA are proud to have Patrick Nash on our team.	Cllr Ken Meeson - Smiths Wood Ward Ken is a keen but practical environmentalist and last year very narrowly came behind the incumbent Councillor nearly winning on 24% of the vote in Smiths Wood. Ken has got to know Smiths Wood and its people and is keen to give them a real voice on the regeneration programme in North Solihull and ensure cutbacks do not unfairly impact on that community. Ken has ten years experience as Chairman of a Parish Council working with community groups including Conservation Societies, Residents Associations and Charities. He has experience in dealing with Policing where he has chaired a Strategic Advisory Group, is a Youth Club Trustee, has expertise in Planning, Public Transport, Highways and protecting the Green Belt and Open Spaces. Ken knows Smiths Wood and has spent many weeks in the last year on the ground talking to residents and participating in community events. He has a reputation of taking up the issues and problems and getting results.
Josh O’Nyons – Dorridge & Hockley Heath WardJosh wants to see changes because he realises residents have had to spend less and economise to protect their future. A political assistant to a Member of European Parliament. Josh is use to dealing with constituent problems and has built up a array of contacts to go directly to those responsible to get things done. Josh understands the local area and is contesting the Council Elections to help protect and improve the local services we already have and to give local people a voice in the important issues that affect residents everyday lives living in Dorridge and Hockley Heath. He will also be standing for the Hockley Heath Parish Council on May the 5th.	Hayley Watts – Olton May I take this opportunity of introducing myself to you? My name is Hayley Watts and I am married to Neill Watts the SAMRA Parliamentary Spokesman for Solihull. We have a Son called Oliver, born in September 2009 at the Solihull Maternity Unit before it was closed and then re-opened in a massively reduced capacity. I am the Solihull and Meriden Residents Association (SAMRA) Olton Branch Chairman and fought the recent Olton By-Election in January for the association. Then we achieved the highest swing in support towards us than any other party. I am proud of that success and hope to continue our track record of standing up for residents and listening to local concerns. I currently work for Costa Coffee in Solihull as a Supervisor.
Kay Howles - Elmdon Ward A long time Solihull Resident and experienced Campaigner on Community and Planning Issues. Kay has Served on the Solihull Conservation Committee and the Airport Consultation Committee. A keen conservationist and champion of the Green Belt Kay is a member of the Berkswell Society, the CPRE and Solihull Ratepayers Association. She was vice chairman of Berkswell Parish Council. A History Graduate Kay has held senior positions in business including Controller of the Richard Shops Fashion Group. She is involved in period property renovation and runs a family business with husband Roger. As a SAMRA Councillor Kay is committed to Protecting Local Services to the Elmdon Community. Contact Kay at 12 Ashwell Drive Solihull B90 3LR tel 0845 1589206 Email katehowells@solihullratepayers.com	Hilary Twinberrow - Silhill Ward Hilary has lived in Solihull over 40 years and Married to husband David. Takes a special interest in the elderly and disabled and has worked as a Care Assistant. A founder member of Solihull Ratepayers Association she is also a past Secretary of Shirley Residents Association and now also enjoys doing voluntary work with the Friends of Solihull Hospital. Hilary has been involved in many local campaigns to make Solihull a better, cleaner and safer place to live in. Contact Hilary at 12 Ashwell Drive Solihull B90 3LR Tel 0845 1589206 Email hilarytwinberrow@solihullratepayers.com
Maggie Inglis - Kingshurst and Fordbridge Maggie has a keen interest in Education having been a governor of a Primary School for 10 years she believes that every child should recieve the very best education no matter where they live. Maggie would like to see more apprentiships and vocational training available to young people. Maggie has three grown up children and last year became a grandmother. A freelance graphic designer for over 25 years Maggie has found inspiration in the Arts serving on the Management Committee of a Community Arts Centre for some years. She also enjoys getting involved in sporting activities encouraging people of all ages and abilities to take part. Representing Great Britain in the 2006 European Dragonboat Championships in Prague, she is very proud to have won a Gold Medal for her country.	John Rogers - St Alphege John Rogers is a lifelong Shirley Resident and Chairman of Solihull Ratepayers Association since 2005. John and wife Barbara who is the Ratepayers current Treasurer work as a team and have two grown up children. After a career in Industry John is now a semi retired consultant and feels successive Governments have failed to support West Midland Industry. A Rugby and Motor Sport enthusiast he is painstakingly rebuilding a classic Porsche between leading Residents Campaigns from the Poll Tax to Road Humps. Contact John at 120 Shakespeare Drive Shirley tel 744 6847 Email johnrogers@solihullratepayers.com
Charlotte McNamee - Castle Bromwich Ward Charlotte is a local resident and has lived in the Bickenhill Area all her life and is extremely passionate about her local community. She works locally at Birmingham Airport. Living in the area she knows the issues that face the Residents of the Ward and is keen to give them a real voice in the Council and on the regeneration programme in North Solihull to ensure cutbacks do not unfairly impact on thatcommunity.	Laura Gould - Chelmsley Wood Ward Laura has lived in Chelmsley Wood all of her life, she strongly believes in people power and wishes to be able to represent her community in an open and honest way. She is passionate about the problems with Solihull Community Housing and is keen to see the housing allocation scheme changed to favour local people. Living in the area Laura knows the issues that the residents of Chelmsley Wood face on a day to day basis, and is keen to give everyone a real voice in the Council Chamber in Solihull. She is also concerned about the dreadful Bus Services between Solihull and Chelmsley Wood.
Rebecca Hardy – Lyndon Ward Rebecca is 21 years old and is a student at Coventry University studying second year Law. She hopes to become a Barrister in the future and has a lot of interests in Politics and the Law. She believes that it is vitally important that local people are represented properly, not just along the lines of party whips! She works part-time as a supervisor at Birmingham Airport and is a member of the National Union of Students	Wayne Wright – Knowle Ward Wayne believes that the Residents of Knowle should be represented by Councillors who want to really have a real say in what happens in the area, not that just follow Party political guidelines. He understands the tough economic circumstances that we all face at the moment and need to spend less and economise to protect the future. Wayne understands the local area and is contesting the Council Elections to help protect and improve the local services we already have and to give local people a voice in the important issues that affect residents everyday lives living in Meriden.
	Michelle Wright – Bickenhill Ward Michelle believes it is very important to provide practical support to organisations that volunteer to help the local community. She wants to encourage more local social activities for all ages to enhance people’s lives and improve relationships between the communities within the local area and is completely against the proposed plans to charge £12.60 per day for transport to Day Care activities for the venerable and elderly as part of the £278,000 cut in Adult Social Care. As with SAMRA Michelle sees this as false economy that will see many stop using the service, ending up with more elderly residents becoming trapped in their own homes.