We are delighted to announce that a new Ashtead Residents’ Committee was duly elected at the General Meeting of the Association last night. Following a year fraught with uncertainty, association President, Larry Unthank was able to introduce a full card of nominations, all of whom were elected unanimously.

In addition, Professor David Hawksworth CBE, recently retired from his Mole Valley District Councillor position, was elected as a Vice President.

The new committee will be led by Chairman Peter Westgarth CVO. Peter moved to Links Road, Ashtead with his family amidst the pandemic 5 years ago following his retirement from a career in business and education. His experience of leading not-for-profit organisations will be invaluable to the association. The new Committee is as follows:

• Chairman                               Peter Westgarth cvo

• Vice Chairman                     Alan Bradley

• Association Secretary      Quentin Armitage 

• Hon. Treasurer                     Martin Cox

• Membership Secretary     Peter Williams

• Planning Lead                      Roger Bennett

• Committee Member          Guy Bailey

• Committee Member          Craig Beresford

• Committee Member          Colin Cooper

• Committee Member          Steve Kershaw

• Committee Member          Steve Lee

• Committee Member          Chris Ranger

• Committee Member          Martin Riddle

• Committee Member          Richard Ryan

• Committee Member          Sue Stansfield

• Committee Member          Jenny Williams

On accepting his election to the chairmanship Peter expressed his thanks to Larry Unthank for his tenacity and energy in drawing together such a strong cast of residents to form the new committee. Peter looked forward to establishing the new team and getting to work on the many issues large and small that matter to Ashtead residents.

Peter is keen to improve the rapport and general communications with residents. Improving the association’s on-line presence and the ability to poll residents easily and quickly, will be an early objective. A fundamental is of course to have more residents as members of the Association. He’ll also be planning a drive for new members.

Peter reminds readers that whilst the new committee members have willingly accepted their responsibilities on the committee, they are all volunteers giving their time and expertise freely to the people of Ashtead through the association, so they’ll need a bit of time and space to get their act together and start to work on Ashtead’s priorities.