Chair

Mrs Judith Farr 

Judith Farr

Judith was a civil servant with the Department of Work and Pensions, having worked there since she left university. Judith took early retirement in 2019 and has not looked back as Stebbing has so much to offer and for individuals to give. Stebbing has a first class community spirit which was heighted during the COVID outbreak.

Judith was Chair of the Parish Council from May 2019 to May 2021, becoming chair again in 2022 when the incumbent moved away from the village. Judith, along with other Councillors  were re-elected (un contested) at the 4 yearly election in 2023 and remains chairman. Judith is on the on the Highways Committee, Greener Stebbing Committee, member of the Village Hall Committee, member of the Stebbing Neighbourhood Steering Group which has now had its plan 'Made' by UDC in 2022.

Not only is Judith a regular volunteer in the Community Village Shop but also chair of the village shop committee.

Judith is happily married to Adrian, they have lived in Stebbing for over 25 years and hope for many more.

Judith had a very demanding job entailing lots of travelling, so her home, village and garden  is her refuge which she wants to protect.

 

Vice Chair

Mrs Sandi Merifield

 

Sandi a retired teacher has lived in Stebbing with her husband Peter and their family for over 25 years. She has always enjoyed being part of our village community from being a member of some of the many clubs and societies, to serving on their committees or helping fund raise. Most recently organising the Poppy Appeal and as a member of the Stebbing Fete committee.

She joined the Parish Council in 2007 and has served on most of its’ committees as both member and has also chaired the Greens and Planning committees. Sandi believes that there will always be change, but it must be change that keeps the rural nature of the village, conserving its heritage but that adapts to the needs of housing demands but also to our environment and our climate.

Councillors

Mr Ernest Howard 

Ernest has lived in the village for over half a century and has seen many changes over the years, some good, some not so good.  The village has expanded over the years and will continue to do so, but he believes we must get housing that caters for younger people for these are the villagers who will keep this a good place to live in supporting the great many clubs and amenities that we enjoy and all the benefits of a rural life.

After leaving the army Ernest went to live in Canada, and this along with the other travels has given him an open outlook on life.  He ran a small wholesale business in Dunmow for many years before retiring and was a member of the Dunmow Round Table and Dunmow 41Club for many years.  Over the years he has been a member of many of the village clubs, but at the moment is restricted to just the Bowls Club.

Ernest has been a member of the Parish Council for a number of years and takes a special interest in Stebbing Green. In the past he has been a Governor of Stebbing school, a long time member and Chairman of the Stebbing Society and the footpath representative for the parish. He believes the most pressing problem at the moment is the volume of traffic that appears to cut through the village and most important of all the speeding of these vehicles.

 

Mrs Christina Cant

Christina Cant

Christina is retired after working in finance for various oil companies. She has lived in Stebbing for over 50 years and has always been involved in village life. She is married to John with two daughters who live and work in London.

Christina has represented Stebbing on Uttlesford District Council and was a member of it's Planning Committee for 19 years which included chairing the committee throughout the 35 million passenger application for Stansted Airport. Christina has been a member of Stebbing Parish Council for many years and a school governor, and is passionate about the advantages of growing up and living in a small socially cohesive community.

Christina has recently been honoured by Uttlesford District Council when she was made an Alderwoman of Uttlesford.

 

Mr Gary Spilman

Gary moved to the village in 2003 and is married to Erica. He has a finance background and spent 20 years working for various companies in the food, defence and technology sectors before joining the charity Motability in Harlow as Finance Director and then Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford, before retiring.

Gary believes that the future of the village is about retaining its unique history, fine countryside views and developing community assets such as playing fields, walking routes and venues. The big challenge is doing all of this whilst balancing the need for ever increasing housing demands and the impact on roads and parking.

 

Mr Loftus Buhagiar

Loftus Buhagiar

Loftus has lived in Stebbing since 1983 and has seen a lot of change to the village over the years. His career was working on major construction projects throughout the UK and when retired after 40 years of service, wanted to contribute more to village life and started by volunteering in the Village Shop. By joining the Parish Council Loftus can offer experience to support any issues on infrastructure and the future development of the community. He believes that a rural village life contributes a great deal to our well-being and wants to retain this going forward.

 
Mr Edward Parsley

Edward lived in the Parishes of Felsted, Rayne and Stebbing as a child and attended school in Rayne and Braintree and college in Chelmsford. Edward married in 1970 and lived in Braintree until 1977 when he moved to Stebbing. Edward worked as a Structural Engineer from 1963 until 2022, culminating in in owning and running his own architectural and engineering practice from 1990 until retirement.

Edwards interests include rugby, walking, cycling, historic buildings and old cars.

 

Mr Bernard Bazley

Bernard moved to the village in 2014 and was a member of the Stebbing Neighbourhood Plan Steering group that created the Neighbourhood plan that was approved in 2022. He was previously a Director of Ebix, a software house in the City of London and before that was IT Director for HSBC and AJ Gallagher Insurance Brokers, but gave up City life to start a cider making business based in Stebbing. 

Bernard would like to see the village prosper with better facilities and transport links, but passionately believes in preserving the rural nature of the villages and beautiful surrounding countryside.

Bernard has 3 children working in various cities around the world and has an ambition to one day see Tottenham Hotspur lift the Premiership. 

 

Clerk to the Parish Council

Greg King - Tel: 01371 855805  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

COMMITTEES

Highways & Street Lighting Committee

Judith Farr (Chairman)
Loftus Buhagiar

Planning Committee

Sandi Merifield
Christina Cant
Edward Parsley
Gary Spilman 

Stebbing Green Committee

Christina Cant (Chairman)
Edward Parsley
Sandi Merifield

Playing Fields & Playground Committee

Gary Spilman (Chairman)
Bernard Bazley

Web & Media Working Party 

Bernard Bazley
Greg King 

Greener Stebbing

Bernard Bazley
Loftus Buhagiar
Judith Farr