Well, I have to say it’s the first time I can remember the Bridgwater Mercury not running information about the local elections. But there is an election happening and it’s today, Thursday 5th May 2022. Why is it important? Well, on many levels. You can send a message to the Tory Government in Westminster that you’re not terribly happy about the way they handled Covid, the timing of their garden party’s or the escalating cost of living crisis and you can also decide on 2 very important local elections. Not many people wanted a Somerset Unitary Council…in fact a majority said they didn’t. But we’ve got one and now we’re electing its councillors for the next 5 years. So one ballot paper lets you choose which 2 you want for your area. And Bridgwater is divided North, South, East and West. That’s 8 local Bridgwater Councillors. I’d say we need 8 LABOUR councillors. Then we’re electing the Bridgwater Town Council. In future it will be stronger because after next year there will be no more Sedgemoor District Council. I’d say that’s a good thing and we need to make sure it’s LABOUR. So I’d say vote all 16 Labour councillors in. But elections aren’t that simple so here’s a helpful guide for today’s elections…..in Bridgwater at least.

You should have your polling card. That’ll tell you your polling number. Next you need to find your Polling station where you can go to vote. Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm.

THE UNITARY ELECTION

Bridgwater is divided North, South, East and West. Labour holds North and South. The Conservatives hold East and West

BRIDGWATER SOUTH is Westover and Hamp. There are 3 polling stations. The Town Hall-for town centre and surrounds, Westfield Church for West street and Wembdon rd and Holy Trinity Church for Hamp. 

Vote KATHY PEARCE & BRIAN SMEDLEY

BRIDGWATER NORTH is Eastover plus Sydenham estate. Sydenham is divided into North Parkway (Fairfax West) and South Parkway (Dunwear North). There are 4 polling stations. The Railway Club in Wellington road, for old Eastover, the Boys Club in All Saints Terrace for west side of Eastover, Sydenham Community Centre for North Sydenham and Dunwear House for South Sydenham.

Vote HILARY BRUCE & LEIGH REDMAN

BRIDGWATER WEST is Victoria and Wyndham. This is a real battle ground seat. There are 2 polling stations. The Victoria one is at Victoria Park Community Centre and the Wyndham one is at the Cricket Club on Durleigh road.

Vote MICK LERRY & TIM MANDER

BRIDGWATER EAST is Bower Manor (Fairfax East) and Bridge Estate (Dunwear South) but also includes the outlying areas of Kingsdown plus the villages of Bawdrip, Chedzoy and Weston Zoyland. The Bower polling station is at Sydenham Community centre and the Bridge estate one is at Dunwear House. Outside the town you can vote at Kingsdown Pavilion, the Village Halls at Chedzoy or Bawdrip and the Community  Centre at Weston Zoyland. 

Vote TONY HEYWOOD & DAVE LOVERIDGE

Your Second Ballot paper is for Town Council

When you get your 2nd ballot paper you can use it to elect your Bridgwater Town Councillors. The areas are as follows

WESTOVER has 3 Town Councillors. There are only 4 candidates. 3 Labour & 1 Tory. You can vote at Town Hall or Westfield church. You have 3 votes.

Vote TIM MANDER, KATHY PEARCE & BRIAN SMEDLEY

HAMP has 2 Town Councillors. There are 4 candidates. 2 Labour & 2 Tory. You can vote at Holy Trinity Church. You have 2 votes

Vote LIZ LEAVY & LEIGH REDMAN

VICTORIA has 2 Town Councillors. There are 5 candidates. 2 Labour, 2 Tory and 1 Lib Dem. You can vote at Victoria Park Community Centre. You have 2 votes.

Vote MICK LERRY & LIZ MARSH

WYNDHAM has 2 Town Councillors. There are 6 candidates. 2 Labour, 2 Tory and 2 Lib Dem. You vote at the Cricket Club. You have 2 votes

Vote MEG BOUCHER & ELAINE DI CAMPO

EASTOVER has 2 Town Councillors. There are 4 candidates. 2 Labour 1 Tory and 1 Lib Dem. You vote at either the Railway Club or on All Saints Terrace. You have 2 votes

Vote TONY HEYWOOD & JACQUI SOLOMON

FAIRFAX EAST has 2 Town Councillors. There are 5 candidates. 2 Labour 2 Tory and 1 Lib Dem. You vote at Sydenham Community Centre. You have 2 votes

Vote ALEX GLASSFORD & RICHARD MORGAN

FAIRFAX WEST has 1 Town Councillor. There are 3 candidates. 1 Labour, 1 Tory and 1 Lib Dem. You vote at Sydenham Community Centre. You have 1 vote

Vote IRENA HUBBLE

DUNWEAR NORTH has 1 Town Councillor. There are 2 candidates. 1 Labour 1 Tory (who was Labour but then ‘changed’). You vote at Dunwear House. You have 1 vote

Vote DAVE LOVERIDGE

DUNWEAR SOUTH has 1 Town Councillor. There are 3 candidates. 1 Labour 1 Tory annd 1 Lib Dem. You vote at Dunwear House. You have 1 vote

Vote JON FALKINGHAM