RE-ELECT YOUR DONCASTER COUNCILLORS

Pictured left to right; Joe Blackham, Susan Durant, Mark Houlbrook
 INVESTMENT & GROWTH
We will promote Thorne and Moorends as a community for investment and improvement to stimulate economic growth and development
TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION
The redevelopment of Hirsts has been a real achievement. With DMBC we will deliver a Masterplan of infrastructure improvements to make our town centres thrive
ASPIRATION FOR ALL
We want to improve employment opportunities for young people and the wider communities and will work to attract new, well paid and skilled jobs for local people
CLIMATE RESPONSIBLE
We will drive forward a Local
Environmental and Climate
Change Strategy, working with DMBC to deliver our Future Parks project & active travel investment
DEDICATED TO SAFETY
We will work with you to ensure our community is a safe place for you, your family and business. We will support you in pushing for greater police presence
Joe Blackham
​Joe lives in Thorne and he is our most experienced DMBC Councillor, having represented our community for over a decade. He sits in the Mayors cabinet as a portfolio holder for Regeneration & transportation. He has been a Town Cllr since 2011
Susan Durant
Susan has lived and worked in Thorne and Moorends all her life. She is the Centre Manager at the Moorends Miners Welfare and Community Development Centre, has been a Town Cllr since 2011 and a DMBC Cllr since 2015
Mark Houlbrook
Mark lives in Thorne and has a long history of work within the local community; from being an active union member, to sitting as School Governor. He has been a Town Councillor since 2011 and a DMBC Councillor since 2014

The Labour Party Candidates for Thorne-Moorends Town Council

The Labour Party nominated 6 candidates to sit on the Town Council for Moorends. As nobody else stood for the election, it was uncontested and your Labour Councillors for Moorends are duly elected. ​We ask residents in Thorne to vote for their 9 Labour Candidates for the Town Council.

RESIDENTS BOTH THORNE & MOORENDS STILL
​NEED TO VOTE FOR THEIR DONCASTER COUNCILLORS

JOE BLACKHAM

I live in Thorne and have been a Town Councillor for Thorne since 2011. I am also an experienced DMBC Councillor and sat in the Mayors Cabinet for Regeneration and Transportation. I am a Trustee at the Moorends Miners Welfare and Community Development Centre and a member of the Moorends Welfare Ground Working Group. What I most enjoy about being an active Town Councillor, is the opportunity to help local people, groups and organisations - such as the Allotment Associations.

I have always held the view that the community benefits when there is a good working relationship between the Town Council and Doncaster Council, from its Councillors to the Mayor - it allows a collaborative approach to be taken on projects and removes some of the barriers to delivering results. Elect our full Labour Team on poling day, and lets just see what extraordinary things we can achieve for this community.

ALLAN CUTTELL

​I’ve lived in Thorne and Moorends for  61 out of my 62 years. I'm a father of 4 and grandad to 11. I am an electrician by trade and moved into Health and Safety consultancy in 2015, specialising in machine guarding and controls. I am a chartered member of the institute of safety and health (IOSH).

I have been an active member of local sport for over 40 years and I’m a member of the Moorends Welfare Working Group, which is aimed at supporting grassroots sports provision. I also help to organise and run the annual Gala in Moorends.

I have been a Town Councillor for Thorne since xxxx and have relished the opportunity to give back to our community.

CRAIG ELLIS

It seems a world away from 2017 when I first became involved in local politics. I was involved in running a local football team and was invited to attend a meeting. I remember leaving that meeting feeling like I could help, if I got the opportunity to. That opportunity did arise in 2017 when I stood for election, and was elected to the Town Council for Thorne.

Since then I have been an active member of the council, regularly attending meetings, volunteering for committees, supporting local groups like the Moorends Welfare Ground Working Group, and our many events. I am presently the Town Mayor for Thorne and Moorends, which I feel reflects my commitment to the role. My only aim is to work hard to make the place where we all live as good as it can possibly be. As a team, we have achieved so much together and believe we can deliver great things for the community if you elect your local Labour Team.

STEVE HEPTINSTALL

I was born In Hemsworth, West Yorks. My Father was a miner after leaving the Army and my mother was a Company Clerk with a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. Being the middle child, I have a brother and a sister and my family in recent years has expanded to include two great grandchildren with two more expected soon.

I have worked as a Mechanical Fitter at NCB Shafton Area Central Workshop's and a RMN in Wakefield, Pontefract and Doncaster areas. I also served 14 years in the TA based at Pontefract. During my time with the Coal Board and in my nursing career, I have held local union positions.

I moved into this area on meeting my current Fiance, around 20 years ago. I love living in this area and would like the opportunity to represent the people of Thorne. I have served for over 12 months as a Co-opted member of Thorne & Moorends Town Council, mainly active on the Staffing Committee. I am aware of local issues and would do my best to help local people.

BOB HOPWOOD

Most people know me as Bob. I worked at Hatfield Main Colliery as a coal face and development worker and for the last 21 years I have been the assistant manager at a fishing tackle shop in Gainsborough.  I have been a first responder with “LIVES” (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service)  and I am a regional officer with the Pike Anglers Club, having been involved for the last 40 years. 

I am currently volunteering with Moorends Miners Welfare and Community Development Centre, delivering food parcels to vulnerable local residents and I have been there for around a year. I am also currently volunteering at Thorne Leisure Centre, helping with the Covid 19 vaccinations and I have been involved with Tae Kwon Do with grand master Kenny Walton and Master Mark Guest.

I am asking for your vote in these elections so that I can do more to give back to our community.

MARK HOULBROOK

I live in Thorne and have a long history working within the local community; from being an active union member, to sitting as School Governor. I have been an active Town Councillor since 2011 and a DMBC Councillor since 2014. During this time I have been privileged to serve the community of Thorne and Moorends. Being the proud son of a miner, I have worked with and supported local community groups to promote our mining heritage and I have actively supported local events including the Moorends Community Gala, Christmas Lights Switch on and services of remembrance in Thorne and Moorends. I served as Town Mayor between 2019 and 2020 and welcomed the opportunity to get to know many new local groups and organisations.

Throughout the pandemic, when it hasn't been possible to come together, I have enjoyed being able to spend more time on my bike, and litter picking to do my bit to keep our community clean.

JANET PHILLIPS

I was born and have lived in Thorne all my life and I served our Communities of Thorne and Moorends as a District Nursing Sister between 
1969 and 2003.

Most recently, I became a Parish Councillor in 2015 and I volunteer with the 'Friends of Thorne Park' group, working with the council on planting schemes and general improvements to the memorial park.

In mid-2000 I assisted and then managed our successful Farmer's Market; which sadly declined to lack of traders and visitors. I have a been a member of the Royal British Legion for many years and spend many hours baking to raise funds as well as selling poppies.

RON POWELL

I am honoured to have been nominated again to stand for The Labour Party in Thorne, for Thorne and Moorends Town Council and if elected, to continue the work that we have undertaken in the 6 years in Thorne.
 
I am proud of what The Labour Party have achieved on Thorne Council in the last 6 years and the role I have played and helped to deliver. Despite difficult times regarding cuts in budgets, we have moved wisely and prudently to continue to deliver and develop local services, community infrastructure and provide new projects that will help sustain local groups, local teams and local businesses. I believe that continuing to work together, we can help secure a prosperous future for everyone, especially those with young families and young people as we move out of this difficult year.
 
I see a future that means we need to secure an environmental legacy and of protection. I have been elected a Vice Chair to the recently formed Environmental Working Group where I want to use my environmental credentials to effect a change that will protect and enhance all the wonderful green areas that we have in our community and put a halt on those that wish to ruin it through litter and fly tipping on our sites.
 
I will continue to fight for and develop Town Council Projects that will benefit the people of Thorne; the work we are undertaking with groups on the Toll Bar will do this as well as the stunning new café and facility on Thorne Delves. However, I will work alongside those who wish to object to and fight against inappropriate development that is not needed and I stand shoulder to shoulder with those who oppose the Bradholme development in the south of Thorne.
​

Shane Sweeting

Married with a wonderful wife and two children, I was born and raised in Thorne. I am currently employed as a Regional Officer for Unite The Union and I was previously employed at Eggborough Power Station and ICI in Doncaster. I have a wealth of skills and knowledge I’d like to share to support the community in creating and maintaining sustainable growth and improving its image.

I have a love of all things outdoors from gardening and growing my own food to walking and enjoying country pastimes and crafts. I am passionate about promoting the health and well-being benefits of our green spaces and making them accessible for all. In these unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in, the strength and community spirit displayed has been amazing. It’s imperative we don’t let go of this spirit and we build on what many believe we’d lost in the past.
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I would like this opportunity to give something back to our community. Together, supporting our nearest and dearest while at the same time checking on our neighbours and simply being nice to each other we can create something immeasurable.