Cllr Rita Burke

Chair of the Council

22 Heatherdown Road
West Moors
BH22 0BY

07501 127540

Email: Cllr Rita Burke

Personal Profile

I was born in the mid-fifties at the now defunct Boscombe Hospital and have lived virtually all my life in Poole, Bournemouth and surrounding area. I have had a variety of jobs but in 1987 I became manager of West Moors One Stop (now Tesco). I got to know the staff, customers and their extended families and soon settled into village life. After leaving One Stop I worked in the Elephant & Castle where I stayed for four years. I met my future husband who already lived in the village and moved here in 2001. Having worked as an office manager for 17 years I decided to semi retire so spend my working time delivering meals on wheels and working for Oakhouse Foods. I have embraced village life. We have an allotment, attend the West Moors amateur drama plays, the Remembrance Parade and always enjoy the carols on the Petwyn. We live near the plantation and enjoy long walks along the Castleman trailway. I joined the Parish Council to help ensure we continue to thrive as a village for all ages and abilities and for future generations to come.

Current Attendance:  11 of 13 = 85%
Attendance 2021/22 = 100%
Attendance 2020/21 = 100%
Attendance 2019/20 = 100% 

Co-opted November 2019 
Register of Interest for Cllr Burke

Cllr Alex Clarke

7 Denewood Road
West Moors
BH22 0LX

01202 894913

Email: Cllr Alex Clarke

Personal Profile

I moved to West Moors in 1990 with my family and for 14 years was Head of Poole Grammar School, having previously worked for 20 years in various Comprehensive schools. After Durham University, my career took me via Yorkshire, Essex, the Midlands to Dorset. I joined West Moors Parish Council in 1991, finishing as Chairman in 2009, to concentrate on East Dorset District Council where I served as councillor for 25 years until it merged with Dorset in 2019. I re-joined the Parish Council as I believe it is best placed to deal with very local matters. I have been involved with the enhancement of the village centre, the provision of Woolslope Farm as a public space, the acquisition of the Petwyn by the Parish and the Dorset Waste Partnership. A member of St. Mary’s Church, my interests also include gardening, sport, family and community life, and the environment. As leaders of the West Moors Health Walks, my wife Gill and I have produced and had printed a booklet free for the community, ’60 Minutes round West Moors’. My aim is to work with the Parish Council to maintain and even improve West Moors - a great place to live. 

Current Attendance:   9 of 11 = 82%
Attendance 2021/22 = 83%
Attendance 2020/21 = 100%
Attendance 2019/20 = 90%

Elected to the Council in May 2019 
Register of Interest for Cllr Clarke

Cllr David Green

7 Kings Close
West Moors
BH22 0HP

07941 035225

Email: Cllr David Green

Personal Profile

I am 71 years old, married with 2 grown up sons and 4 grandchildren. I am retired, have lived in West Moors for 7 years. My wife and are members of the West Moors Horticultural Society, the Hardy Plants in Colehill, the British Legion in Ferndown and used to work at the Sue Ryder shop in West Moors. I was educated at Wallington County Grammar School, achieving several O levels. Since leaving school I have worked for several Aluminium and Construction companies, working in and visiting over 50 countries. We have lived in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Dubai. At the time of loss and ill-health in my family, the community in West Moors were so kind, helpful and considerate that I feel it is now time to give something back to the village. I am especially interested in the Environment and believe the Council is making great progress in this field and would like to help and see if more could be done.

Current Attendance:   7 of 13 = 54%
Attendance 2021/22 = 73%
Attendance 2020/21 = 82%
Attendance 2019/20 = 88%

Co-opted January 2020 
Register of Interests for Cllr Green

Cllr Mike Hawkes

4 Weavers Close
West Moors
BH22 0PG

01202 861044

Email: Cllr Mike Hawkes

Personal Profile

I was born in Southampton (hence a lifelong Saints fan). I moved to West Moors with my Wife, Daughter and Son in 1979. Both of whom were educated in West Moors and Ferndown respectively. My first community involvement was to coach and manage a West Moors Cub football team who went on to win the local Cubs Cup Final in 1987. I qualified as a gas service engineer in 1967 (then gas fitter) with intermediate and final City and Guilds qualifications. I worked on domestic, commercial and industrial gas installations. I became a trainer in 1978, located at the British Gas (Southern) training centre in Bournemouth with responsibility for the training and development of apprentices and service engineers in domestic, commercial and industrial installations. I retired in 1998. I am currently a ‘Champion’ with West Moors Group Practice and a volunteer helping out at the Practice’s ‘Legability Club’. I have been a Parish Councillor since 2015 and have served as Chairman over a two year period. I have also Chaired the Environment Committee over a two year period and served on several working parties dealing with a number of initiatives and activities related to the village.

Current Attendance:  11 of 16 = 69 %
Attendance 2021/22 = 87%
Attendance 2020/21 = 100%
Attendance 2019/20 = 94%
Attendance 2018/19 = 100%

Elected to the Council in May 2015 and re-elected in May 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Hawkes

Cllr Carol Holmes

9 Glenwood Lane
West Moors
BH22 0EL

01202 871321

Email: Cllr Carol Holmes

Personal Profile

West Moors has been my home for 52 years. I have a post graduate Diploma in Adult & Community Education from Southampton University, a Diploma in Management, plus a Cert Ed. Education frees and lifts you out of poverty and makes you more comfortable in your own skin, giving more confidence & social mobility. As an advocate of lifelong learning for both adults and children, I’ve been involved in training teachers, running courses for people returning to work and teaching philosophy to University of the Third Age students. By joining the parish council about 10 years ago (& with a few breaks in service) I have, over time, worked in various capacities & am currently vice-chair of the Environment Committee. I have acted as your representative on various community bodies including becoming a Governor of Oakhurst Community First School, and a Trustee of West Moors Memorial Hall Committee and West Moors Youth Club. I love consulting you to get your views on various aspects of our services and the quality of our village life and strive, with others, to seek out grants to support and improve our services. As one of you Councillors I am at your service without fear or favour.

Current Attendance:  9 of 11 = 82%
Attendance 2021/22 = 87%
Attendance 2020/21 = 95%
Attendance 2019/20 = 84%

Elected in May 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Holmes

Cllr Stephen Linford

95 Heathfield Road
West Moors
BH22 0DE

07912 707477

Email: Cllr Stephen Linford

Personal Profile

I was born in Portsmouth and moved into the nearby village of Bransgore as a child. Although i have only lived in West Moors for a couple of years, I have always been keen to be an active member of the community and have been helping with events in the village for many years. I am 37 years old and have three children, two of which attend the village schools and one in higher education. I have worked on and managed a farm/ caravan site for many years and now own a construction company specialising in extensions and renovations. I am a huge sports fan and rugby is my passion. I played for several local clubs over the years including Verwood RFC until I retired due to an injury four years ago. I am an avid supporter of Ringwood and Ellingham and never miss watching England or Bath Rugby games. Since moving to West Moors, I have met many great and interesting people and I want to do all I can to return the warm welcome we have received by helping the village in any way I can.

Current Attendance:  8 of 13 = 61.5%
Attendance 2021/22 = 76%
Attendance 2020/21 = 68%
Attendance 2019/20 = 73%

Co-opted in November 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Linford

Cllr Jordan Randall

Email: Cllr Jordan Randall

Personal Profile

Born and raised in Dorset, I have family near and in West Moors, so it is a very special place to me. Becoming a Councillor was the closest way I could give back to a Community I am proud of. Being a young Councillor, aged 19, I hope to engage with more young people and take a more active role in the growth and the preservation of the beautiful area in which we are fortunate to live. I attended Ferndown Upper School till the age of 16, achieving all my GCSE’s and moving straight on to Kingston Maurward College, where I am currently in my last year, studying Level 3 Advanced Diploma in ‘Countryside Management, Ecology and Conservation’. I Volunteer for various charities within West Moors, as I feel my energy and enthusiasm can be put to good use in so many places. My long term goal is to embark on a land-based career such as being a Ranger, Warden or Countryside Officer. My extra volunteering enables me to get outdoors and play a vital role in helping these environments for everyone to enjoy. Aside from my College and Council commitments, I adore my dogs and spend most of my spare time walking them, helping my family’s business and enjoying time with my friends.

Current Attendance: 6 of 7 = 86%

Co-opted July 2022
Register of Interests for Cllr Randall

Cllr Nicki Senior

15 Woolslope Road
West Moors
BH22 0PD

07903 816284

Email: Cllr Nicki Senior

Personal Profile

I was born in Cambridgshire and moved to the Bournemouth area as a child in 1990. I moved to West Moors 6 years ago and have loved living here ever since. I am a keen gardener and I was lucky enough to become an allotment holder in the Village which I spent hours at with my family and on my own! I enjoy walking my Dog around the amazing and varied walks the village has to offer and it was some of these things that made me want to be a Councillor. It is important to me these facilities exist now and just as important they are there in future for even more people to enjoy. I work full time as a Restaurant Manager and deliver higher level manager training to internal and external recruits and Apprenticeships to those aged 16 and upwards. Due to the nature of my job I work with people from 15 to 60 years old so would consider I have a good understanding of what people of all ages are interested in and also worried about and like to help where I can.

Current Attendance:   9 of 13 = 69%
Attendance 2021/22 = 81%
Attendance 2020/21 = 100%
Attendance 2019/20 = 91%

Co-opted in November 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Senior 

Cllr David Shortell

186 Uplands Road
West Moors
BH22 0EY

01202 870476

Email: Cllr David Shortell

Personal Profile

I was born and brought up in Dorchester. My education was thanks to London University, where I studied Business Management and became a director of several companies. My business career started in Sales Management and specialised in IT, where I travelled throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland selling, installing and user training of Back Office Computer Systems to small and medium sized businesses. I set up my own company in 2002 and retired in 2010. My Wife and I have lived in West Moors since 1993 and have two grown-up children. My involvement in the community includes being an experienced District and County Councillor, Chairman of Ferndown Cricket Club and was involved with West Moors Youth Club and am a member of St. Mary’s Church in West Moors.

Current Attendance:  6 of 11 =  54.5%
Attendance 2021/22 = 74%
Attendance 2020/21 = 72%
Attendance 2019/20 = 64%

Co-opted in September 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Shortell

Cllr Colin Way

Vice Chairman

70 Elmhurst Road
West Moors
BH22 0DG

01202 870208

Email: Cllr Colin Way

Personal Profile

I grew up in Poole and went to Henry Harbin Secondary School and Poole college for my A levels then City University before training as an accountant being elected a fellow of the institute in 1993. I have spent most of my career in the Aerospace Industry in senior financial and general management positions and have been on the board of a number of companies over the years, both UK and foreign registered. I am married with two grown up children. We lived in Ferndown for around 20 years and my children both went to Ferndown Upper School where I was a governor for several years before moving to Cambridge to take up a new position. We moved to West Moors around 8 years ago prior to my retirement. Over the years I have served on the committee of a number of clubs and organisations. When I heard that West Moors Parish Council required additional Councillors, I thought that my previous experience could be of benefit to the local community. I was elected onto the West Moors Parish Council in May 2019 and am currently chairman of the planning committee and as from 6th May, Vice-Chairman of the Full Council.

Current Attendance:   12 of 13 = 92 %
Attendance 2021/22 = 87.5%
Attendance 2020/21 = 95%
Attendance 2019/20 = 85%

Elected in May 2019 
Register of Interests for Cllr Way

Cllr Keith Wilkes

18 Avon Road
West Moors
BH22 0EG

07713 159857

Email: Cllr Keith Wilkes

Personal Profile

I was born in Portchester (hence lifelong Pompey fan!) and lived in Swansea and Liverpool before moving to Ferndown in 1977 and West Moors in 1988. Our children now live in London but were educated in Ferndown. I have been involved actively in the community for many years. I was a Parent Governor at Parley First School and LEA Governor for 22 years at Ferndown Upper School - Chair for 13 years. On a social level I was a member of Ferndown Squash Club from the late 1970s to the 1990s. My professional career followed a PhD in Geography at Liverpool University. In June 2017 I retired from Bournemouth University as the Executive Dean, Faculty of Management. I held senior management positions covering course development and quality and student experience. I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Nationally I have been on the Executive of the Association for Tourism in Higher Education since its formation in 1990, worked for the Quality Assurance Agency and a Board Member of the National Coastal Tourism Academy. I joined WMPC in 2019 and have enjoyed being involved in local government and helping to ensure West Moors remains a thriving and sustainable community.

Cllr Penny Yeo

10 Blackfield Lane
West Moors
BH22 0NH

01202 896217

Email: Cllr Penny Yeo

Personal Profile 

I was born in Northumberland, educated in Devon and met my husband in Lincolnshire when we were both in the RAF. We moved to Lancashire with my Husband’s work and I gained a Law Degree and then worked for Wigan Borough Council legal department. We moved to West Moors in 2002 and I joined the Parish Council in June 2009. One of my earliest tasks as a Councillor was as a member of a working party to help find and set up the parish office in Park Way. At the time, the office was a port-a-cabin in the library car park with no facilities; I still get a moment’s pleasure every time I go into our present light and airy building! I have twice been Chairman of the Council, in 2012 and again from May 2015 – May 2018, and have also, until this year, been one of the council’s representatives at meetings of the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils (DAPTC), which has allowed me to meet with Councillors from around the county, which was particularly useful as we prepared for the changes brought about by the re-organisation of Dorset Council. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a Parish Councillor and hope that I have helped to maintain the village to the standard that first attracted us all those years ago.

Current Attendance: 12 of 16 = 75% 
Attendance 2021/22 = 87%
Attendance 2020/21 = 100%
Attendance 2019/20 = 68%
Attendance 2018/19 = 84%

Re-elected in May 2019 
Register of Interest for Cllr Yeo