Parish Councillors

Below are the names and details of the current Councillors:

Paul Gordon
(Chairman)
12 Rugby Lane, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9JH
Tel: 02476 542850
Email: paul.and.jan.gordon@gmail.com
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Paul Gordon

Paul started work for the Environment Agency as a Flood Defence Engineer before pioneering large data set forecast modelling and moving into the developing world of IT during the 1980’s. He founded a consultancy offering IT expert opinion on legal disputes in 2001 and latterly worked for the University of Warwick. He retired in 2018 and now keeps sheep and dogs. Paul moved to Stretton on Dunsmore from Leamington in 1987 and, with his wife Jan, has raised a son and daughter here. He became a Parish Councillor in 2011 and was elected Chair in 2018.

Nicola Haywood
(Vice Chair)
2 Church Hill, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9NA
Tel: 02476 545492
Email: nicolahaywood@btinternet.com
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Nicola Haywood

Nicki Haywood moved to Stretton on Dunsmore in 1990 after obtaining her French & Business degree at Leeds University. She has worked in the Export Industry in Birmingham and for a local manufacturer in Leamington Spa. She has three boys who have all attended Knightlow Primary and then Lawrence Sheriff School Rugby. After having her boys she worked part time at Knightlow Children’s Partnership but has recently gone to work for her husband as his PA in the family Structural Engineering Business. Hobbies include horse riding, yoga and more recently running. As well as being on the Parish Council Nicki is also a School Governor at Knightlow C of E Primary School.

Chris Burton
(Councillor)
19 Squires Road, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9HF
Tel: 02477 980424
Email: chrisburton@live.co.uk
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Chris Burton

Chris moved to Stretton in 2014 after several years of living in Southam. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering Design and has worked in the Royal Air Force, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus Helicopters as well as several other automotive, aerospace and defence companies around the country. He has been married since 2003 and has 2 boys attending Knightlow School. Hobbies include motorsport, cycling and supporting the village community. He is a member of the Village Fete Committee and joined the Parish Council at the start of 2018.

Warwick Dipple
(Councillor)
Oak Cottage,  Brookside, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9LY
Tel: 07540 705887
Email: warwick@wddesign.co.uk
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Warwick Dipple

Warwick moved to Stretton-on-Dunsmore in 1981, has been married since 1987 and has three daughters. He was educated at Coventry College of Art, now part of Coventry University, and spent several years in marketing posts in Birmingham and London. He started his own graphic design business in Rugby in the early-80s where he still works today. Hobbies include walking, kayaking and cycling. He joined Stretton-on-Dunsmore Parish Council in May 2015.

Gillian Key-Vice
(Councillor)
Brook House, Brookside, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9LY
Tel: 07414 930724
Email: Gillianpc@gilliankv.co.uk
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Gillian Key-Vice

Gillian moved to Stretton in 2001 after living in Bubbenhall for 20 years. She moved to the Midlands from London when she married. Having moved to London for work, after being brought up in the country, she always wanted to move back and live in villages and be part of a community. She is divorced with one grown up daughter. Gillian worked for Natwest/RBS for 30 years in Credit & Risk where she became group head of credit scoring. In 2001 she moved to Experian where as Head of Regulatory Affairs she undertook negotiations with Governments in many countries across Europe, the Middle East & Asia on behalf of the credit industry. A particular area of expertise was Data Protection and the new GDPR in which she negotiated on behalf of the European credit referencing trade body – ACCIS. She says one of the many challenges she faced in the UK was appearing before the Treasury Select Committee!  Following retirement in 2013 she set up her own consultancy working for major banks and finance providers and also took a seat on the Board of Arrow Global when it floated on the LSE. In Stretton she has previously been a key player in the anti airport campaign, served on the Parish Council, chaired the first Parish Plan Committee, been part of Open Gardens where the first cream teas were served, raised hundreds of pounds through cream teas for the fete and supported many other events such as the duck races and Christmas lights. Now fully retired she can work even more on her garden and pursue her many hobbies.

James Bavington
(Councillor)
Lower Barn, 34B Brookside, Stretton-on-Dunsmore CV23 9LY
Tel: 07590 536361
Email: jamesbavington@gmail.com
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr James Bavington

Raised in Stretton-on-Dunsmore since birth, James recently returned to the village after living for 10 years in Bilton. He studied Design at University and now runs his own Creative and Marking Agency based in Henley-in-Arden and Ipswich. Married in 2015 to Clare, they have two children Evelyn and Harry. In his spare time James is a passionate hiker, film fanatic and loves spending time with his young family. James joined the Parish Council in May 2019 to help maintain a safe, vibrant and connected village community that benefits all generations.

Sarah Gambling
(Councillor)
2 School Lane, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, CV23 9NB
Tel: 02477 048585
Email: slt395@hotmail.com
Declaration of Office & Interests: Cllr Sarah Gambling

Sarah made the move to Stretton in 2012 after living in Leamington for 10 years. Married in 2005, Stretton was the perfect place to raise her two young daughters. A Financial Director for her husband Martin’s Engineering Consultancy, she also coaches hockey at Princethorpe College and works at Knightlow C of E Primary School as a midday supervisor. Sarah is a keen hockey player and junior coach, playing weekly for Khalsa Leamington HC as well as representing the Midlands and England. When not playing or coaching hockey, Sarah loves to travel with her family, gardening and walking the dog. You’ll often see her out and about with Betsy the beagle. Sarah joined the Parish Council in 2018.

Steve Smyth
(Councillor)
4 Rugby Lane, Stretton on Dunsmore, CV23 9JH
Tel: 07413 067081
Email: stephen_smyth@icloud.com
Declarations of Office & Interests: Cllr Steve Smyth

Steve moved with his wife, of over 20 years, Natalie, and daughter, Emilia, to Stretton-on-Dunsmore in 2013 from Worcestershire where they had lived for several years. Steve’s professional career in marine insurance, has spanned more than 30 years. Steve specialises in Marine Cargo, having worked for well known insurance companies and also serving on the Joint Cargo Committee at Lloyd’s of London for over a decade. Steve has extensive experience and briefs UK law enforcement, military and government organisations on various the topics from modern day piracy to freight crime within the UK. In his free time Steve enjoys military fitness classes, watching football, rugby, F1 as well as wine & cider tasting. Steve was a COVID-19 volunteer and assisted the Brookside Surgery Dispensary, throughout the lockdown, delivering medicines to patients throughout the surrounding villages and also food parcels for Brookside Store. This service to the community led Steve to apply for the vacant position on the Parish Council and Steve was duly selected and joined the Parish Council in September 2020 to contribute meaningfully to village matters.