Your Town Councillors

Mayor Cllr Steven Baynes

As a resident of Burton Latimer, I have watched the town grow over the past few years.

As well as running a business on the High Street, I am also involved with the local school as a member of the PTFA and also as a parent volunteer.

I look forward to working on events to promote our town to the wider community.

Councillor Jenny Davies

I am 79 years old and a widow. I was a Liberal Democrat councillor in Luton for 34 years and was Deputy Leader of Luton Borough Council.

When my husband died in 2013, I moved to Burton Latimer to be near to my family; this has proved to be a happy move. I was elected to Burton Latimer Town Council in a by-election in September 2016 and re-elected in May 2021. As well as sitting on several committees, I served a term as town mayor.

Over the years I have been involved in many campaigns, most of them against unsuitable developments or the loss of green space. These campaigns led to a particular interest in planning matters; I am currently Chair of Burton Latimer’s Planning Committee. I also have a deep concern for the environment. A long-standing interest in astronomy taught me just how small and vulnerable our lovely planet is—if we mess it up, there is nowhere else to go!

I have always believed that the most important duty of a councillor is to do everything possible to support constituents who have problems or queries.

On a personal level, I am disabled with arthritis, walk short distances with a stick, and use a mobility scooter, which gives me a special interest in the state of the local pavements!

Councillor Maggie Don

I have lived in the borough for almost 40 years, and raised my family here. I was first elected to Kettering Borough Council in 1994, and was deputy leader of the Labour group, and lead spokesperson for housing and the voluntary sector, for many years.

Now retired, but for many years I was the CEO for Kettering Centre for the Unemployed running education courses and providing support to those with little or no basic qualifications.

Following the death of my husband I moved to Burton Latimer 7 years ago, and felt that the time was now right for me to support and get involved in the future of the town.

During 2020 I started walking around the town more, as my permitted exercise and discovered many beautiful areas that I had been unaware of. As a result of which I became a WOMBLE, and am now a bit obsessive about litter.

I am looking forward to serving Burton Town Council, and keen to make sure it provides a voice for the people of the town within the structures of the new Northamptonshire Unitary authority

Councillor Nigel Padget

I have lived in Burton Latimer for the last 26 years and retired 10 years ago. I am married and have one daughter plus four dogs and one cat!

I am a geologist by profession, and due to office closure, I opted to take early retirement in early 2014. I therefore now have more time available for ‘other’ activities, hence my interest in joining the Town Council. After all, there’s only so much gardening I can cope with!

As a child I, lived and went to school in the area, but my work has meant that I have lived and travelled widely. When my job moved back to London in the late 1990s, I decided to come back to Burton Latimer, where my family has roots (my father was a local GP until his retirement in 1991).

I am church secretary at Burton Latimer Baptist Church and have been involved in community outreach work over several years. Given the change to my working life, I feel that the Town Council gives me an opportunity to ‘payback’ by serving the community as best I can.

I have recently re-joined the Labour Party and actively support the values and core beliefs of the party. As a BLTC councillor, I will adhere to these values, and hopefully this is evident in my service to the community.

My interests are the community, green issues, recreational facilities and planning, and I feel that I will be able to contribute positively to the life of the town.

Councillor June Taylor

I have lived in Burton Latimer for 25 years. Some of you will know me from the Dry-Cleaners or I.M. Kelly Automotive, where I previously worked. I have 3 grown children who previously attended Meadowside School then onto Latimer School.

Over the years, many people have approached me for advice and information about Burton Latimer. I felt by becoming a councillor I would be able to help solve some of the issues and support people who needed help. Thank you.

Councillor Gwyneth Mellors

My name is Gwyneth Mellors. I was born and brought up in Burton Latimer, attending the County Infants and Junior Schools (now St Mary’s Primary School).

After leaving school, I worked at Kettering Library, which included a day a week at Burton Latimer Library.

After attending university, I worked for Northamptonshire Library Service (32 years), the NCC Visual Impairment Unit (4 years), Tresham College (5 years), and 5 years with my own business as a home help (sole trader).

I attend St Mary’s Church, Burton Latimer and have had various Church Council responsibilities throughout the years.

I am a volunteer at the Burton Latimer Heritage Society and at Chester House Archaeological Research Centre.

I love gardening, reading, jigsaws, history, and hedgehogs and would like to encourage people to create hedgehog highways by leaving a gap in their fences.

Councillor Barney Varnfield

I was born in Rosebery Street and have remained here in Burton Latimer my entire life. I went to the old infant school in Church Street before moving up to East Lea Primary School and then onto Bishop Stopford in Kettering for secondary education. My family moved to Poplar Road when I turned sixteen and then I moved with my wife to the Avenues where we still live today.

Most of my employment stayed in Burton Latimer, first working for Mix It in Higham Road, then AP Lewis in Duke Street, Mayfair in Finedon Street and then onto Weetabix for 20+ years. After leaving Weetabix I took the opportunity to continue my career as a health, safety and facilities manager for a company called Louis Vuitton.

I retired in 2020 due to ill health and now enjoy time in the shed working with wood and often fishing in the pocket park. Recently also supporting Burton Park Wanderers FC watching their home games when I can.

I have three children, one still living in Burton Latimer and six grandchildren four of whom attend schools in Burton Latimer.
I love the town and my aim is to see it thrive as it should. As members of the town, we all have the opportunity to be part of this and feel proud of where we live.

Councillor Alex Evelyn

Councillor Scott Edwards

Councillor Michael Sinclair

Councillor John Currall

Councillor Jan O’hara

Lionel Thatcher

Rosie Wrighting MP

Email address: rosie.wrighting.mp@parliament.uk