Havering Liberal Democrats

General Election

Hornchurch & Upminster Constituency

Cllr Karen Chilvers was born at Rush Green Hospital on 3rd April 1971 and grew up in Upminster, attending Branfil and Gaynes schools, before moving to North End, Warley in 1992, with her mother and sister.
She's always had a lively interest in politics and joined the Liberal Democrats after being a long-time supporter and voter. Her real involvement in local politics began when, by accident rather than design, she became the lead campaigner in the “Save Thorndon Park” campaign in Winter 2005. It was through this that she realised that she was capable of standing up for both a cause and for others and from then on has felt that standing for council was the right thing to do. She's happy to say that she won and Thorndon Park is currently safely preserved for future generations due to this campaign.
She now considers herself a seasoned councillor, serving the people in the neighbouring constituency of Brentwood since the council elections of 2007. She has always been greatly interested in what goes on in her birthplace and feels it a great honour to have been selected to stand as the LibDem Parliamentary Candidate for Hornchurch and Upminster, where she'll endeavour to give her best.

Romford Constituency

Helen Duffett is an enthusiastic and infectious campaigner. Motivated and determined, Helen will be a strong advocate for local people across the Romford constituency.
Her experience ranges from being an active school governor, a leading current affairs commentator on one of the UK's top political websites. Helen also has a high profile on both Facebook and Twitter.
As a former youth worker and subsequently a caseworker for North London MP Lynne Featherstone, Helen understands issues facing residents in the locality. Her concerns include planning and transport (Helen has done work for TfL, Euro tunnel and Network Rail) as well as education and working with young people (she has four school aged children).
Helen graduated from the University of London in 1993 (Classics and Archaeology), has achieved Stage 1 in British Sign Language and is a popular and much-in-demand trainer for the Liberal Democrats.
In her spare time, Helen enjoys transport history (particularly discovering old maps), 1930s and late 20th Century architecture, and cycling.

Council Election

Brooklands Ward

Peter Davies, 49, is a computer programmer. He has lived in Romford for the past seventeen years. His interests include reading and hill walking. He is a data officer for the Liberal Democrat Party. He feels
strongly that more people should engage in local and national politics.

Karen Kruzycka, 38, works at the University of London in Mile End, and has lived in Brooklands with her husband for over a decade. She's committed to making sure that the healthcare offered to people in Havering is improved and that graffiti & vandalism are tackled. She has been involved in various voluntary organisations, including several years as a volunteer and committee member at Havering Samaritans. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, crosswords, and baking, with the help of her 3-year-old daughter.

Madge Mulliner is a retired local government officer. Originally from the Midlands Madge has lived in Romford for 33 years. She has a daughter and 2 grandchildren. When not engaged in politics her interests include singing as part of a local choir, reading, going to the theatre and exploring her family history. She is treasurer of the local branch of the Cats’ Protection League.

Harold Wood Ward

Jonathan Coles is one of your local Harold Wood Councillors. Elected at the age of 21, he first served as a Councillor from 1994 to 2002, and was re-elected again in 2006. During his time in office he has sat on many committees and has held the position of chair of the local Area Committee and been Vice-Chair of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Recently he chaired a Children’s Services scrutiny panel. Jonathan is a governor at two schools within the Ward. He has recently studied for an Open University degree and is a keen supporter of Essex Cricket Club. Born in Harold Park, he works as a Housing Benefit Officer for a neighbouring authority.

Pamela Coles has lived in the local area since 1969 and is a retired Teacher of the Deaf. She is chair of governors at Ravensbourne School. She edits the magazine for Harold Wood Methodist Church and is Secretary and a founder member of the Friends of Harold Wood Parks. She is also a member of the local Neighbourhood Police Ward Panel and chair of the religious advisory council, SACRE. Married to Geoff and living in the area for more than 40 years, Pamela has 2 children, [one of whom is Jonathan above] and 2 grandchildren. One of her passions is working tirelessly to improve the local area for the benefit of everyone. Her interests include reading, sewing, researching family history, and compiling quizzes with her husband.

Ian Sanderson has been a member of the Harold Wood Focus Team, supporting Jonathan Coles in his council work for 16 years. Ian is a Chartered Engineer and worked for the BBC for nearly thirty years, before becoming an Open University tutor. Ian is a governor of two local schools. He was a keen Scouter for over 15 years and is Chair of a local Scout Group. He is married to Barbara and they have lived in Harold Wood for 43 years. They had two children, who went to Harold Court School, and have two granddaughters. Ian is interested in history, languages and computers and has been a semi-finalist in both Mastermind and University Challenge on TV.

St Andrew Ward

Geoff Coles has been an active Liberal then Liberal Democrat for 40 years. He is a retired schoolmaster and is married, with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Born in Rayleigh he has lived in the borough for over 40 years. Aside from his active political involvement he enjoys gardening, listening to classical music, reading and solving crossword puzzles. He is a keen supporter of Essex Cricket Club.

Dr Peter Spence is a retired university lecturer in mechanical- and other forms of engineering. He has 3 children. His interests include countryside conservation activities and management of public rights of way. He is currently helping to create a museum in Walthamstow to illustrate the heritage of the Lee Valley. He is treasurer of a local branch of Amnesty International.

Keith Taffs who lives in the Upminster Bridge area, works in administration for the railway industry. He lived in St Andrews Ward for 21 years, where he went to school and college. Still in touch with the local community, he was a School Governor at one of his old schools. He is interested in history, which he studied as part of his degree. He has been on the executive of the local Liberal Democrats since he was 18 and is a member of the Methodist Church at Hornchurch.
35-year old Keith says: “I have a strong interest in local educational development in the area, based on my own personal experience. I would also like to see more young people active in politics, particularly locally.”