Jill Shortland - County Councillor for Chard South

See who else joined Jill when she officially opened the new Early Years centre at Redstart Primary School in October;

http://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/search/3789378.Special_guests_open_pre_school_at_Redstart/

There isn't much Jill doesn't know about her area. At different times, she has been a town, district and county councillor since she was a young mum and works tirelessly for the benefit of her community.

She can tell you about the history of her ward too, such as when they used to mix ash (from the Coke foundry opposite where Tesco is now), mixed with lime and then with flint, to build the houses in the town. She can also show you roads you might never have seen when driving past, e.g. The Drift which begins and ends in her 'patch', when it reaches Tatworth & Forton.

The Chard International Festival of Culture

The weather couldn't dampen everyone's high spirits!

Following the huge success of the introduction of The Tour of Britain to Somerset in 2007, excitement built as the Chard to Burnham leg became a reality in 2008. However, this was to be the culmination of a weekend of events taking place in Chard, including an official twinning with the Romanian town of Seica Mare, a re-enactment of the Monmouth Rebelliion in the Chard Museum and Apallachian Dancers in the Guildhall. Many local businesses provided concessions for their services, the Cresta Leisure Centre was free all day and there was free car parking. This largely came about through the sheer determination and tireless efforts on the part of Jill and her family, who also acted as hosts to the Romanian visitors, including thirteen children!

The dancing was a highlight of the weekend festivities

Jill was able to use her Local Initiative Budget to support this project which is a new budget allocated to county councillors for projects in their community. Ask Jill about this if you would like to know more.

The smiling faces captured the occasion perfectly

Other ways in which Jill has been able to help her community

Jill's uses her existing community budget of £5,000 per year to fund things that people bring to her. For example, the lady who had difficulty walking independently and yet loved taking part in the Chard carnival, inspired her to give something towards a carnival tractor.

Sometimes she initiates the contact, for example when she read the Chard in Bloom Report and realised they needed her help with funding the Christmas lights. Jill always prefers to use her community budget where the community are already active.

Jill and Manor Court Primary headteacher David Flowers check the garden Jill was able to part-fund with her community budget

Jill's community budget provided this notice board

Jill with the youngest competition winner

Jill has a good relationship with the schools in her ward and Manor Court and Tatworth & Forton Primary Schools were invited to design the Council Leader's Christmas card this year (printed and sent to dignatories and friends across Somerset). The accompanying pictures show how delighted the children were to be awarded their prizes.