Episode Details

Born in Wales, my first connection to Thanet was when I was posted to RAF Manston in 1979. I worked there in air traffic control for the next three years during which time I met a local girl – now my Mayoress, Sarah Kemp. Over the next twenty years we bought our first house together in Wardour Close, Broadstairs, got married and had three children. I split my time between the family in Broadstairs and West Drayton, Heathrow and lastly Southampton where I worked for the CAA at the Air Traffic Control Centre. When the opportunity arose to work at Manston again I jumped at the chance to base myself fully in Thanet and I worked at the airport until it closed in 2014. During this time I also bought the café on the beach at the bottom of Harbour Street which I ran alongside and then after my CAA work until 2016.

It was the sudden closure of Manston airport which got me into local politics – I was never politically ambitious until this time. In August 2016 I won the by-election for the Northwood Ward in Ramsgate and became a Thanet District Councillor. At the following local elections in May 2019 I became both a Ramsgate Town Councillor and a Thanet District Councillor, but it was always my aim to represent Broadstairs. In 2023 I was elected to represent Bradstowe ward in Broadstairs for both the Town and District Councils. I was delighted to serve as Deputy Mayor for the Town Council during the Civic Year 2025-26 and I am honoured to be able to represent the Town as Mayor for the current year.

Unlike County and District Councils which can be remote because they deal with such large numbers of people, Local Councils are placed within our communities. Local Councillors are vital to our community as they meet and talk to the people they represent every day in shops, pubs, at work and out and about. People tell us what is important to them and we can act on that. We know security in our town is a main priority for many and we have worked hard to provide additional security resources not only on the beaches but in the high street, parks and shops.

My aim as Town Mayor is to make Broadstairs even safer and more family focused. As a keen member of Dickens Festival I recognise the importance of our heritage and the appeal of a traditional family holiday. As a keen fisherman I will be looking to reintroduce the Mayor’s Cup – a fishing competition for young people. I will be working to increase awareness around defibrillators and bleed kits and ensuring everyone has access to them. With my military background I am passionate about helping former servicemen and women and I will be therefore be working with colleagues on the Town Council to introduce a Veterans Association.

Broadstairs is and always has been a special place. I intend to do all I can to ensure that it continues to be a place where everyone feels safe to enjoy its rare combination of physical beauty, heritage and wholesome family fun.

https://www.broadstairs.gov.uk/the-town-mayor/meet-our-town-mayor/