Peter Davies, 49, is a computer programmer. He has lived in Romford for the past seventeen years. His interests include reading and hill walking. He is a data officer for the Liberal Democrat Party. He feels strongly that more people should engage in local and national politics.

Karen Kruzycka, 38, works at the University of London in Mile End, and has lived in Brooklands with her husband for over a decade. She’s committed to making sure that the healthcare offered to people in Havering is improved and that graffiti & vandalism are tackled. She has been involved in various voluntary organisations, including several years as a volunteer and committee member at Havering Samaritans. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, crosswords, and baking, with the help of her 3-year-old daughter.

Jonathan Coles, 38, has served Harold Wood Ward twice as a Councillor from 1994 to 2002, and from 2006-2010. During his time in office he has sat on many committees and has held the position of chair of the local Area Committee and been Vice-Chair of the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Recently he chaired a Children’s Services scrutiny panel. Jonathan is a governor at two schools within the Ward. He has recently studied for an Open University degree and is a keen supporter of Essex Cricket Club. Born in Harold Park, he works as a Housing Benefit Officer for a neighbouring authority.

Pamela Coles has lived in the local area since 1969 and is a retired Teacher of the Deaf. She is chair of governors at Ravensbourne School. She edits the magazine for Harold Wood Methodist Church and is Secretary and a founder member of the Friends of Harold Wood Parks. She is also a member of the local Neighbourhood Police Ward Panel and chair of the religious advisory council, SACRE.

Married to Geoff and living in the area for more than 40 years, Pamela has 2 children, [one of whom is Jonathan above] and 2 grandchildren. One of her passions is working tirelessly to improve the local area for the benefit of everyone. Her interests include reading, sewing, researching family history, and compiling quizzes with her husband.

Geoff Coles has been an active Liberal then Liberal Democrat for 40 years. He is a retired schoolmaster and is married, with 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Born in Rayleigh he has lived in the borough for over 40 years. Aside from his active political involvement he enjoys gardening, listening to classical music, reading and solving crossword puzzles. He is a keen supporter of Essex Cricket Club.

Mark Whiley has lived in Cranham Ward for over a decade and attended both Oglethorpe and Hall Mead Schools in the local area.  He stood as a local election candidate in Reading 2010 and worked the last year as a Community Relations Warden for Reading University and running community and charity projects for youth groups and with the University’s Community Relations team.

Among his political achievements working for four years as a community campaigner in Reading were the introduction of a scheme to regulate landlords of multiple occupancy housing; introducing a food waste recycling scheme; and increasing bus services on a popular route.  He has also worked with senior members of the Social Liberal Forum in the campaign against the Conservative proposals for the NHS.  Mark is also a member of Amonesty International and Liberty – The National Council for Civil Liberties.

Ian Sanderson has been a member of the Harold Wood Focus Team, supporting Jonathan Coles in his council work for 16 years. Ian is a Chartered Engineer and worked for the BBC for nearly thirty years, before becoming an Open University tutor. Ian is a governor of two local schools. He was a keen Scouter for over 15 years and is Chair of a local Scout Group.

He is married to Barbara and they have lived in Harold Wood for 43 years. They had two children, who went to Harold Court School, and have two granddaughters. Ian is interested in history, languages and computers and has been a semi-finalist in both Mastermind and University Challenge on TV.

Dr Peter Spence is a retired university lecturer in mechanical- and other forms of engineering. He has 3 children. His interests include countryside conservation activities and management of public rights of way. He is currently helping to create a museum in Walthamstow to illustrate the heritage of the Lee Valley. He is treasurer of a local branch of Amnesty International.