Patcham

Brian Pidgeon

I was born in Brighton and educated at Ditchling Road and Fawcett schools. After leaving school I joined the family business of butchers in Edward Street (W.F.Pidgeon & Son). I did National Service in Northern Ireland serving in the Catering Corps. When we closed our business, I joined Tesco as Butchery Manager in Churchill Square and was made redundant when it closed down. Then I joined Booker as Butchery Manager.

For two year, I was Chairman of Eastern Brighton Traders Association.

Joyce and I have raised large amounts of money for the Guide Dogs for the Blind. We have lived in Ladies Mile Road for the last 47 years and have two daughters and three grandchildren. Our daughters went to the local school.

I was delighted that at the Budget Meeting last March it was agreed by the whole council that £30,000 would be allocated to the talking bus stops to assist the visually impaired.

During the last year, I have chaired the Patcham Action Team and, supported by Sussex Police, have opened a club for young people in the Youth Club, Ladies Mile Road, every Friday at 7pm where there is pool, table tennis, DVD players and a play station available.

To contact Brian, please call 291190

Email brian.pidgeon@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Carol Theobald

I am a Brightonian - I was born and brought up in Patcham. I have worked in accounts, marketing and promotions.

I have been involved with politics ever since I married my husband, Geoffrey, over thirty years ago. I was first elected to the former Brighton Borough Council for Patcham Ward in 1992 and then to Brighton and Hove City Council in 1996. Geoffrey is also a Patcham councillor and holds national positions on the Local Government Association. We have two daughters and two sons.

I am the current Mayor of Brighton and Hove. I have chosen three locally based charities to support during her year - the Martlets Hospice, the Pink Dolphin Breast Cancer Appeal and Whoopsadaisy

I am also Honorary Secretary to the Brighton and Hove Conservative Group. I am also a Trustee of Brighton Racecourse and a co-opted Member of the Age Concern Board, President of the Patcham Horticultural Society and a volunteer at the Martlets Hospice.

In 1982/1983 I was the Mayoress of Brighton when Geoffrey was the Mayor. Other previous roles were serving on the Environment, Social services, Education, Personnel and Licensing committees.

My hobbies include singing in my church choir and the Brighton and Lancing College choirs. I also enjoy the theatre, Latin dance, gardening, flower arranging, photography and foreign travel.

Having grown up in Patcham, I was very proud to be elected to represent the Ward, which includes Patcham and Hollingbury.

To conatct Carol, please call 291195

Email carol.theobald@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Geoffrey Theobald

I have lived in Brighton and Hove all my life and I was educated locally at Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School and then the College of Estate Management, London, now part of the University of Reading. I am married to Carol, also a Patcham Ward councillor and we have 2 daughters and 2 sons.

I was Mayor of Brighton in 1982-83 and Leader of East Sussex County Council from 1989-1993, continuing as Leader of the Conservative Opposition Groups on the County Council and then Brighton and Hove City Council until 2001 when I fought the General Election for the Brighton Kemptown Constituency.

I was Senior Partner of a leading provincial 12 office firm of Chartered Surveyors when in 1987 I disposed of the practice to the Prudential Corporation plc and retired as a consultant 2 years later. This has enabled me since then to hold many senior national positions in local government. Since 1992 I have been Chairman of the Board of Directors of LACORS (Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services) consisting of 9 leading councillors from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. LACORS mission is to guide, support and improve the delivery, co-ordination and consistency of local authority regulatory services.

In 1985 I was elected to represent Patcham Ward which includes Patcham and Hollingbury. Cllr Brian Pidgeon, Cllr Carol Theobald and I hold monthly surgeries at Patcham Community Centre and deliver regular "In Touches" in the Ward.

There are many community organisations in Patcham and between us we are involved with most of them. I attend meetings of Patcham Neighbourhood Watch and I am a member of PAIDD (Patcham Against Insensitive Destructive Development) as well as a Governor of Patcham High School.

I am also a member of East Sussex Fire Authority and of the Executive of the South Downs Joint Committee that involves councils from Winchester to Eastbourne.

My other interests include most sports; I am a life member of Sussex County Cricket Club, a member of the M.C.C and a Vice-President of Brighton & Hove Cricket Club. I also enjoy gardening and travel.

To contact Geoffrey, please call 291195

Email geoffrey.theobald@brighton-hove.gov.uk