MAKE sure you vote on Thursday, in the local elections.

Who will get your vote in the Kerswell with Coombe Ward of Teignbridge Council, where one candidate will be your next councillors?

Here's some information on each of the candidates:

I AM married with two sons aged 13 and 8, one attends Coombeshead Academy and the youngest attends Kingskerswell C of E Primary.  

I have lived in Kingskerswell for the past nine years.  

My occupation is Merchant Navy Deck Officer, and I am currently the navigating Officer on board the Shell/NAKILAT LNG carriers. 

In my spare time I enjoy SCUBA diving, in addition to various charity work, collecting for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Marie Curie. 

If I had to name one thing, I did which I thought I would not have done then it would have to be going for the Great White dive experience in South Africa. 

I first became a councillor on Newton Abbot town council in 2001. I have held roles as a school governor for Bradley Barton school and on the renumeration panel for Teignbridge district council.

After moving to Kingskerswell I joined the parish council, serving as vice-chair and in 2021 I was elected as Chair. I started my career in the telecommunications industry for 40 years with GEC and BT. I now devote my time to the parish, and have been instrumental in modernising the Parish Council. I have been inspired by the integrity of the South Devon Alliance in holding TDC to account for their unacceptable behaviours and culture. It is my absolute privilege to stand as an independent councillor. 

RICHARD Raybould is highly creative and versatile with a solid education and experience in photography, art and design, information and communications technology (ICT), customer service, and administration. 

A well-rounded individual with highly transferable skills and experience working in various deadline-driven environments in trade unions, parish council and enjoys catering in his current jobs.

A RETIRED Police Chief Inspector of 30 years, most of that locally in Teignbridge and

South Devon. Jane also supports victims of domestic abuse and other vulnerable people having founded the J9 Campaign in memory of Janine(J9) Mundy, who was murdered by her husband, in Camborne in 2003. 

She became involved in local politics after seeing how local councils were failing the communities. She resigned as an Independent Person on Teignbridge Council’s Standards Committee after she felt the council had failed to act on the recommendations of the Ombudsman. 

I spent 30 years doing the right thing and when I see those in positions of power doing the opposite, I have to do something - and that’s why I’m standing for the South Devon Alliance’.

My name is Cameron Whitford. You might recognise my name as I first attempted the local elections in 2019. I am determined to try again and this time succeed! For too long local politicians have been of the older generation. I believe it is time for younger people to get elected and give Teignbridge Council the breath of fresh air it needs.

I am a local chap, being born in Torbay and growing up in Newton Abbot. Because of this, I am aware of the variety of issues local people face. If I were elected, I would campaign for responsible house building, with protection and restoration of our green spaces as the central focus. Also, I would ensure that everyone in the district has good access to their local councillor and that their concerns are listened to. 

I studied law and foreign languages at university. I have been employed in a variety of roles in Devon, such as a translator.