Diana Brown for Evesham South

12.18.49am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

Diana Brown, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Evesham South

Diana Brown has been selected to contest Evesham South Ward in the by-election to be held on February 18th. The vacancy was caused by the death of Conservative Councillor Ron Cartwright who had represented the ward for 22 years, with a break between 1995 and 1999 when Diana won the seat from him.

Diana has lived in Evesham and its surrounds for 20 years, and since 1991 she and her husband have established a nursery business in Badsey employing local people. Diana also worked in Education for many years, both as a teacher and administrator, including working with the governing body of Pershore College.

Now a grandmother, she is actively interested in local schools and the quality of education.

While a Councillor, Diana was involved in a range of community matters. These included the regeneration in Bengeworth, the management of Wallace House Community Centre and the building of the Four Pools youth and community centre. She also worked to increase the accountability of all councillors. More recently, she has been involved in the production of a village local plan.

As a local business woman, she is anxious to see an improvement in the local economy and she is pleased to see that some of the shops in Evesham town centre have now been re-opened.

Diana says "I believe Wychavon has an important role to play in assisting the revival of Evesham. The new leisure centre, the renovation of the Regal Cinema, and the development of Vale Park are helping, but there is more to be done. Evesham Hospital is a top priority and must be kept high on the agenda. Wychavon was able to step in to help build a modern cottage hospital in Pershore and could do the same for Evesham."

Diana is also concerned for the safety of access to the schools in Four Pools. Traffic chaos has been much worse recently when ungritted roads made getting o school even more hazardous. The state of the roads and pavements have been left in an even worse state.

Since Diana was personally affected by the flooding in Waterside in 1998 and 2007, she has been concerned that no real solution has been found. "Much has been written about what happened in the major flooding incidents, but residents remain anxious that there will be a repeat. Given the tremendous cost both financial and personal for residents, we need more than words" she says.