Chairman of the Council
The Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council is Councillor Alison Thomson (Faringdon and Coxwells ward) who was elected in May 2011.
Cllr Thomson was born in Scotland but moved to the Vale of White Horse in 1972 where three of her four children have been born. A trained occupational therapist, she worked as an antenatal teacher for the National Childbirth Trust for many years, for Social Services and, until her retirement, initially at Radcliffe Infirmary and then John Radcliffe Hospital.
Alison is interested in people of all ages, and became a district councillor to assist the community. She became an active Conservative in the 1970s, but did not become a district councillor until 1999. As part of the commitment to the local community she started and still run a monthly craft fair in Faringdon five years ago; her aim being to encourage people to come and shop in Faringdon to help promote the town and its economy.
Alison is also involved in the local Health Group which has just produced its second guide to facilities in the Faringdon and its surrounding villages. As part of the Health Group committee, she investigated the lack of NHS ante-natal preparation in Faringdon, and has been instrumental in arranging for a retired midwife to provide classes in the town. I am also part of the team which has saved the Faringdon Pre-School from closing.
Alison has already had many years of working with the Vale's Housing department while in opposition, and in helping to resolve housing problems. Her long-term goal is to set up a Good Neighbour Scheme in Faringdon; schemes in Abingdon and Wantage are doing great work.
Alison has an Open University degree in the Humanities and a further degree in History from Oxford Brookes University. She is an active supporter of the twinning movement, and joined the Faringdon Twinning Association 18 years ago. Twinning helps to break down social and cultural barriers as well as assisting local economies and the improvement of language skills.
Alison enjoys holidays in France as well as other European countries, is a keen skier, and tries to fit in a skiing holiday each year in either Italy or Switzerland. She also sings in a local church choir.
Cllr Thomson said: "As Chairman over the next year, I shall attend as many functions as possible. People as always are my priority, so I have chosen two charities which really serve the national and local communities."
Help for Heroes deserve all the assistance we can give because servicemen risk their lives to keep us free and safe, and South and Vale Carers does amazing work supporting carers to keep vulnerable people in their own homes. They have been affected by the cuts like all organisations in the county and need our help too."
"During this year I shall be holding functions to raise awareness and money for these two charities. I do hope that everyone will fully support me at these functions."
If you are planning an event and would like the Chairman to attend please contact 01235 547693 or email her at chairman@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or write to:
Council Chairman
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
Last reviewed: 01 - 06 - 2011