John Southworth

Statement to voters

I have lived with my wife, Julie, in north Bury for over 35 years, the last 20 years in Greenmount. Both of our children were raised here and we worked for Bury Grammar School for many years in Senior Management and Head of Department roles. Before entering the teaching profession as a mature entrant I owned an IT consultancy, engaged by numerous manufacturing and distribution organisations across the UK and Europe. After taking early retirement I help run Greenmount Village Community raising funds and lending time to organise and run various events at Greenmount Old School. In addition, I volunteer for several local organisations and groups including the orchard at Holly Mount, litter picking, woodland management, and volunteering as a run leader for two local running/walking groups. I am a passionate supporter of community engagement and have been involved with many campaigns and local projects, working with many organisations and the council to deliver improved facilities and services. Benches, footpath improvements, bins, road crossings have all been recently campaigned for, funded and delivered. A member of the council’s Local Access Forum, I also led the campaign to re-establish access to Bull Hill in 2019 after the MOD closed public access to the permissive path. My pledge if elected as a councillor to represent North Manor is not only to continue this work but also to use my experience to extend and encourage community work across the communities of Hawkshaw, Summerseat, Holcombe Brook, Walmersley and Nangreaves. There are so many exciting projects locally with individuals striving to improve their local areas. From the bees in Summerseat, to the campaign to save the Lord Raglan for Nangreaves, support is needed and I will provide it, and I want to hear about more initiatives. And let's not forget keeping our roads up to date, ensuring our rural areas don't miss out on transport, communication and IT network advancements, whilst maintaining access to our wonderful countryside that makes living in North Manor such a privilege for all of us.

Election history

Westminster general elections