Becky Stokes-Stephens

current town councillor

I am a business owner and a mum of children that attend the local schools. I am constantly meeting and talking with people about their hopes for Shepton’s future. I have loved helping people come together with a shared passion. For example, community projects like Shepton Fridge, an initiative available to every single person in Shepton, and as times are increasingly uncertain this may well be a vital resource supported by our town council alongside local businesses. There has never been a more important time to maintain our focus, protect our services and plan for our future.

I have been supporting the renewal of the Chamber of Commerce in Shepton. The Chamber has become a passion of mine as it hosts local businesses where we find out what others do and how we can support each other to grow. There is a wide and diverse amount of businesses operating on our doorstep providing vital services, leisure opportunities and jobs for people that live here.

Kai-Thomas Roth

first time town councillor

I came to the UK from Germany in 1986 to study violin making, where I met my wife from Glastonbury. In 1993 we moved to Shepton Mallet from where we have been running our business and brought up our 3 daughters, who attended local schools. As a founder member of the British Violin Making Association in 1995, I am used to regularly volunteering for big projects with international reach.

I have been a member of the Shepton Mallet Amenity Trust, was a primary school parent governor and have been involved in the lantern making workshops and parades. As a member of the Darshill and Bowlish Conservation Society, I taught our history in local schools.

I want to develop Shepton’s facilities and possibilities for its inhabitants, bringing together the many groups, initiatives and ideas, so that all can support each other for the people of Shepton Mallet.

Dave Crisfield

current town councillor

I have lived in Shepton Mallet for 34 years and over that time have been involved in various community activities including CAB volunteer, founder and trustee of Grace Harris House and 11 years as school governor including time as the Chair.

I’m very involved in the life of St Peter and St Paul’s church and am lay chair of the PCC. More recently I became a Director of Shepton Community Bookshop. Trained in Youth and Community Work I have worked for 36 years in both the Voluntary Sector and Local Government currently working as a Community Specialist for South Somerset District Council.

I am married to Sue and have two daughters.
I was voted in as a West Ward Town Councillor in the 2021 bi-election and am delighted to be standing again as a Future Shepton candidate where I will continue to encourage and support community led solutions for the improvement of the town and its people.

Jane Nicklin

current town councillor

The NHS has been my working life. Semi-retired I now work with national groups to improve services, mainly linked to cancer. At the height of the pandemic I was a volunteer at the Bath & West vaccination centre.

I am on the steering group for newly formed ‘Shepton Walks’, developing guided walks around Shepton to benefit locals and visitors. I am also part of a group working with local schools to bring our wool heritage to life.

Having been on the council for the last year, I am keen to keep on focusing on changes that benefit the town. I have chaired the planning committee and am working with others to look at how we can make sure people can access the health and wellbeing services that we all need.

Janet Reilly

first time town councillor

I’ve lived in Shepton Mallet with my husband since 2003.  My three children grew up here and attended Doulting Primary School, Whitstone School and successfully moved onto Strode College and then University/work – during that time I was a PTA member and also secretary of the Air Cadets in Shepton.

I have a particular interest in equality, diversity and wellbeing – drawn from my work as Director of People & Culture for a global not-for-profit organisation.  I’m a Company Secretary and Trustee for an international children’s charity and have previous board experience with a housing association.

I know that diversity and wellbeing is crucial for our community.  Diversity brings together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives and when people from various walks of life interact and engage with each other, it promotes a sense of belonging and wellbeing This creates stronger community bonds and contributes to economic growth.

Martin Berkeley

current town councillor

I have lived just outside Shepton Mallet for twenty years and moved into town last year, joining the town council in September. 

I have run Pilton Cider at the Anglo Trading Estate since 2010, where we make speciality Somerset cider that is exported around the world.

I am keen to continue to work on the town council, to play an active part with the many recent positive changes that are taking place in town.  My main focus areas would be on supporting the amazing community spirit at Collett Park Day and to sensitively develop the town’s facilities, with more opportunities for volunteers to take part.

Shepton Mallet is a great place with a fantastic community, and it deserves to be promoted wherever possible.

Matt Harrison

current town council chair

I’ve lived in Shepton for the last 16 years with my wife and 2 sons, both of whom go to Whitstone. I love Shepton. I love the fact it has the facilities of a small town but is surrounded by gorgeous countryside. But these facilities need supporting and protecting. I can see that there is huge change ahead of us whether we like it or not; the change in the way people work, commute, shop, live, need healthcare etc. And soon, their local council services will change.

So I am standing to be a councillor to support the town through these inevitable changes. I have chaired Shepton Mallet town council for the past 18 months. We’ve put in good foundations for the future; but we need to continue to listen to residents and be bold in our investment to make sure we seize all opportunities change will bring.

My experience of raising funds and delivering capital investment in the town (the Skate Park, resurfacing the BMX track, the Market Place resurfacing, the new signage) give me the experience needed to get things done.
Next stop? The Collett Park play equipment!

James Brittain

first time town councillor

My wife and I moved to Shepton with our children 17 years ago and we have enjoyed living in the centre of the town ever since. I’m a business studies teacher and keen to support the Chamber of Commerce and help Shepton businesses to succeed, making the town an even more fantastic place for everyone to live in and to encourage more visitors.

I also work as a careers advisor helping school leavers get into university and work, and am a trustee for a UK charity which raises funds for orphan school children in Malawi.

I would love to engage with and represent the Shepton Mallet community and to work with other town councillors to deliver fresh initiatives, build on what has been achieved and to communicate all the brilliant things that already happen in town.

Tom Makin

first time town councillor

A roll of the dice brought our family to Shepton in 2012, and it has been our home ever since. I’m proud to be standing for Future Shepton with its relentless focus on the local community; free from the distractions of national politics.

By trade, I’m a structural engineer turned software geek with experience in lots of different industries. I’m currently working for a company in Bristol building electric sky taxis. When not staring at a screen, I help out locally with the roller disco, kids theatre, woodland projects, arts events, and general tech stuff.

As a councillor, I’d like to ensure Shepton remains a vibrant, safe, friendly place for our kids to grow up. As a big fan of the outdoors, I’m also keen to improve access to the local countryside and make cycling safer around the town.