Your Councillors

Cllr Trevor Bickers    t.bickers.bpc@gmail.com 

Special Interests - Finance, Highways, Planning, Cross Parish Group

I have lived in Bucklesham with my wife Jacqui since 2011. I am a director of an energy company operating around the UK, and my experience and knowledge was put to good use when the Parish Council were negotiating the Community Benefit Fund Agreement with Bucklesham Solar. 

I have been a Parish Councillor since 2022 and I enjoy it very much. We are a good team with a good mix of experience and interests. I focus on Highways and Planning issues, and I am the Parish Council representative on the Cross Parish Group; a group of neighbouring Parish Councils who work together to discuss major local planning applications.

I am passionate about our wonderful Village, and can be seen walking around Bucklesham on a daily basis to get some fresh air and exercise while appreciating how lucky we all are to live here. 

 

Cllr Rhea Gardner   r.gardner.bpc@gmail.com

Special Interests - Documentation, Personnel, Bucklesham School, Village Hall, Felixstowe Peninsular Community Partnership

I'm Glaswegian born and bred but moved to Bucklesham in 2000. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my young grandson who keeps me on my toes.

Once I retired from being a Pharmacist I had more time on my hands to support village activities. I’ve been a Bucklesham Parish Councillor since 2015 when I ran out of excuses and could no longer say 'no' to the then Chair, Heather Owen. Heather marched me into a Parish Council meeting with my arm behind my back, and I have not looked back since.

I am the Parish Council Documentation Tsar as I have a keen eye for details - must be all those years checking prescriptions. I am the Parish Council representative on the Felixstowe Peninsular Community Partnership so I can inform the Council of any available grants and opportunities that Bucklesham could benefit from. I am also a Parish Council rep on Bucklesham Village Hall Committee as I like helping out my community wherever I can.

 

Cllr Clive Lenton (Chair)  c.lenton.bpc@gmail.com

Special Interests - Highways, Playing Field, Maintenance, Personnel, Allotments, Village Hall, Community Council

I have lived in Bucklesham since 2005 with my wife, two daughters and Labrador. I am Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance Engineer and enjoy keeping fit and long walks in the Bucklesham countryside with my family. Together we also tend a plot on the village allotments so we really are living 'The Good Life'.

I joined the Parish Council so I could help keep the village a lovely place to live in. I represent the Parish Council on the Community Council and also on the Village Hall Committee. 

I was proud to be elected by my fellow Councillors as Chair in 2024. It was in very sad circumstances that the election was necessary and I must pay tribute to our previous Chair and long-standing Councillor, David Brinkley. David was a fantastic Councillor and his knowledge and experience was invaluable. I will continue David’s good work as I believe in being proactive rather than reactive and I hope the other Councillors feel I lead by example as I like to get stuck in - I'm not afraid of doing the washing up or sweeping the floor at village events!

 

Cllr Gemma Marriage  g.marriage.bpc@gmail.com

Special Interests - Allotments, Sustainability, Environment, Tree Warden, Bucklesham School

I moved to Bucklesham in 2022 with my partner and two young boys. Having grown up in villages myself, surrounded by strong communities, I knew I wanted the same life for my own family. I have thrown myself into village life, joining the Parish Council in 2023, as I know building a strong community needs enthusiastic volunteers.

I have worked for several environmental organisations in my career and am passionate about looking after our planet and wildlife. I also trained as a science teacher, as I believe that inspiring the next generation is key to making real change. I currently work at Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, managing their land and conservation projects.

I am a Tree Warden with the Suffolk Tree Warden Network and I also re-started Bucklesham Garden and Allotment club which runs monthly. Having been an allotment holder in my previous village and a keen gardener, I help advise and monitor our village Allotments. Being a practical person I am part of our Highways Self-Help Group, and keen to improve our green spaces for wildlife and people. I’m pleased to bring my can-do attitude and resourcefulness to Bucklesham.

 

Cllr Kathryn McDonald  k.mcdonald.bpc@gmail.com

Special Interests - Bucklesham School, Community Engagement, Playing Field, Highways, Fundraising 

I moved to Bucklesham in 2024 and I have a daughter at Bucklesham School. I liked the idea of living in a small village and was drawn to the community spirit that Bucklesham is renowned for. I enjoy being outdoors and travelling. I have always been interested in the natural environment, and have a degree in Geography and Education. I started my career working for the civil service and I now work in the charity sector for an NHS Hospital Charity.

I’ve been on the Parish Council since 2025 and my special interests are improving safety for children walking and cycling to school as well as ensuring they have sufficient outdoor spaces to play. I’m keen to help reduce rural isolation for all ages in the village. 

My main specialisms are bid writing, project management, strategic support, organisational strength reviews and project impact evaluations. I’ve been able to use these skills to help support our Clerk in achieving funding for the play equipment, solar panels for the Village Hall and the photography workshops for village children.

 

Cllr Kathryn Roper   k.roper.bpc@gmail.com

Special Interests - Community Engagement, Community Infrastructure Levy, Playing Field, SALC

I’m Suffolk born and bred, and I moved to Bucklesham from Ipswich in 2007. After 10 happy years teaching in primary schools across East Suffolk, I joined the Education team at Suffolk County Council in 2009.

I’m a big fan of live music and theatre - whether it’s something local or an excuse for a day out - and I’m always up for a good walk with friends. We’re so lucky to have so many beautiful footpaths right on our doorstep here in Bucklesham.

I joined the Parish Council in May 2023, and I’m especially interested in supporting our children and young people, improving local transport, and helping to make our community spaces welcoming and well used. I’m also keen on anything that helps bring people together and strengthens the friendly nature of our village.

I’m proud to represent Bucklesham on the Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC).

 

Cllr Lynda Seagroatt (Vice-Chair)  l.seagroatt.bpc@gmail.com  

Special Interests - Community Engagement, Community Infrastructure Levy, Community Council, Village Hall

I was born in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire and moved to Bucklesham in 2012. I work for a housing association as a Senior Housing Officer and have worked there since 2003. I love gardening, music (especially SKA and Northern Soul) and travelling. 

When I first move to Bucklesham I felt that I was made so welcome by everyone that I met and it made me want to join in with community events. I attended my first Parish Council meeting in 2020 and intended on just observing with a view to deciding at a later date if I thought I could contribute. However, before the end of the meeting, I had been voted on as a Councillor and that was that!

I am currently the Vice Chair and enjoy working with this great team of individuals as we all bring something different to the Council. I am the Parish Council rep on the Community Council,  and one of  the reps on the Village Hall Committee. I enjoy community engagement events and bringing people together.

 

 

All Bucklesham Parish Councillors have signed up to the Code Of Conduct and the Civility and Respect Pledge.

All Bucklesham Parish Councillors' Register of Interests can be viewed on East Suffolk Council's website and you can also view Councillors attendance at Meetings, Seminars, and Training to see how hard working they all are.

In this current administration, since the 2023 election, your Parish Council has obtained over £127,600 in Grants for Village Projects.

We currently have a full quota of Councillors but occasionally a vacancy will arise. If you are interested in standing for Councillor in the future, why not find out more by reading why

'Your Parish Council Needs You'.

For more information on the role of the Councillors please contact the Parish Council Clerk at clerk@buckleshamparishcouncil.gov.uk

 or 54 Levington Lane, Bucklesham IP10 0DZ   

07854 712 734