I have lived in Tewkesbury for three decades and was the first elected Green on Tewkesbury Borough Council in 2019, and elected to Tewkesbury Town Council at the same time. In 2021, I became Tewkesbury's first elected Green on Gloucestershire County Council where I lead the group of Greens.
I found my way into politics in order to help protect our area and give voice to the strong feelings of residents. I really like connecting people, solving problems, and making our area a better place to live. The support I have had from residents has been terrific and I am delighted each time I achieve successful results for them. People said that they have felt especially cared for during the pandemic, as I kept them well informed via email and phone calls and I continue to send regular emails and flyers throughout the year.
Protecting nature is now a high priority for many people. I am pleased to have been able to make a real difference since I was elected. Tewkesbury Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 thanks to my successful motion and Council now has a Carbon Reduction plan. Green issues affecting nature and all of our futures are firmly on the agenda. I'm very proud that through my work, the environment and how we all depend on it is being properly considered across Tewkesbury.
councillor.cody@tewkesbury.gov.uk
cate.cody@gloucestershire.gov.uk
I have lived in the Tewkesbury area for nearly 30 years. I recently retired from GCHQ having had a wonderful 38-year career there. I am married to Sarah and we have a gorgeous Jack Russell called Paddy.
I am involved in local issues such as planning and road safety which I really enjoy and I also research carbon reduction technology projects to understand more about things like electric cars, solar panels and energy reducing gadgets. I want to get more information to others who would just like some simple answers and possible choices.
I have been a strong supporter of the organic movement for many years and I am also a big rugby fan.
By profession I am a maths and science teacher, teaching in a variety of schools before running a very successful tuition centre. Four years ago, I moved into Barton Street and immediately became absorbed in central Tewkesbury life via the spectacular medieval festival, history tours and visits to the Abbey and museums.
I also sought out the environmental groups in town which is where I met Cate Cody (in most of them!) and I enjoyed exploring all the highways and byways too. I offered my services to Tewkesbury Town Council as I had previously been a town councillor in Milton Keynes, and in November 2019 I was co-opted to the council. I joined the planning, finance and later the buildings and moorings committees. I am also a member of the climate change working group and from this, I am co-ordinating and liaising with the County Council to monitor the footpaths in the area.
I have an active role in Tewkesbury Friends of the Earth, promoting reducing, re-using and recycling our household goods, gardening for wildlife and collecting data on water quality in the River Avon, the Swilgate and the Tirle Brook.
It is wonderful to have so much green space throughout the area and I have enjoyed joining in with activities on the Nature Reserve and the Ham. Of course, flooding is an ongoing issue which needs a full assessment on the impacts of any future building and climate change. I have been part of a team with Cate monitoring the speed of local traffic which has led to Cate applying for a camera and vehicle activate signs (due to be installed soon). It will be important to collect the views and concerns of residents on flooding, traffic speed and other issues.
I went Tewkesbury School before moving to Hertfordshire to study Advertising and Marketing at University. I then moved to London, where I worked as a Marketing Specialist in various sectors including law, finance, education, and at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground.
As an Assistant Scouts Leader for 6 years in Hertfordshire, I taught the importance of tackling climate change, how to offset our carbon footprint, and how to protect the rivers and animals that live in that habitat.
I moved back to Tewkesbury in 2022. In my spare time, I volunteer at the Tewkesbury Nature Reserve whenever I can. I am also a member of the Tewkesbury Historical Society and I sing with the wonderful Tewkesbury Pub Singers. I am member of The Friends of the Earth, and I also sit on the Board of Governors for the Church of England School.
I have always been enamoured with nature and the natural world. But I started paying attention to Climate Change and it’s devastating effects after watching Al Gore’s 'An Inconvenient Truth'. I felt angry and sad and wanted to make a difference in anyway I can. People are making changes in their lives however small given their constraints, but the onus lies on the corporate sector and our governments, who can make a substantial difference to the environmental pollution and carbon emissions.
