Toni Coombs MAYOR

ROLES: Councillor, Dorset Councillor, Potterne Park User Group Representative

01202 827376

cllrtoni.coombs@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Toni has represented Verwood on the Town Council since 1999. She also represents Verwood on Dorset Council (previously East Dorset District Council since 1999-2019 and Dorset County Council since 2001-2019). Since moving to Verwood in 1991 she has seen the Town’s population double and has been instrumental in obtaining the funding for many of the developments in the town over the years. She cares passionately about the town and the need to keep that village feel, that we all treasure; and is happy to roll her sleeves up and get involved in the community volunteering.
Her two adult sons went through our local school system each attending one of our Upper Schools after leaving Emmanuel.
Outside of her council responsibilities she enjoys photography and gardening – when time allows.

Register of Interests 

Spencer Flower

ROLES: Councillor, Dorset Councillor

01202 821231

Born in Dorset, Spencer spent his working life in engineering, taking him to London where he became Managing Director of an American owned Engineering Company.  Returning to Dorset 32 years ago he became Managing Director of an Engineering Company in Poole.  Spencer served as a County Councillor between 2005 and 2019 (2 years as leader), an East Dorset District Councillor between 1999 and 2019 (8 years as leader) has been a Verwood Town Councillor since May 2007 and following the May 2019 Dorset Unitary Council Elections he became a Dorset Councillor for the Verwood Ward.  Spencer became the Leader of Dorset Council in May 2019.
Using his business experience Spencer has dealt successfully with many local issues and is renowned for his support of your Town Council and the general wellbeing of the Town.
Married, he has two grown up children and two grandchildren.

Register of Interests 

Sandra Grove

ROLES: Councillor, Citizens Advice Bureau, Town Twinning Association, Verwood Heathland Heritage Trust

01202 826449

I was born in Hayes Middlesex in 1951 and was educated at Townfield Secondary Modern School in Hayes.
I am married to Clive and have two Children Johanna and Matthew.
We have lived in Verwood since 1989 when it was still very much a village and have watched it grow through the years into the town we have today. Although we are now called a town Verwood still has a wonderful village feel.
After moving here I took advantage of the excellent adult education system and passed City and Guilds - Maths and IT and Computer Studies at Ferndown school.
I have owned my own Restaurant in Ringwood and am now retired doing voluntary work.
I am on the Finance and Policy, Community and Plans Committees for Verwood Town Council, and am the Representative for Citizens Advice, Town Twinning and the Heathland Heritage Centre.  I was privileged to be Mayor of our Town for 2015/2016 & 2018/2019 and am also Vice Chairman of Governors for Hillside School.
My voluntary work involves Treasurer of the Verwood and Three Cross Twinning Society, Treasurer of the Heathland Heritage Centre where I also work every other Thursday serving our community. I also help to run a Community Group for people over 55.

My interests are cooking, gardening, travel, fundraising and looking after our grandchildren.

 Register of Interests

Kate Stephens

ROLES: Councillor, Internet Councillor

07751 225955

Cllrkate.stephens@verwood.gov.uk

I have lived in Verwood since I was born in 1983 and now live with my partner who has also lived in Verwood all his life. We were both educated at Hillside, Emmanuel and then Q.E. I have been a member of many community groups including Brownies, Guides, Verwood Concert Brass, The Pantomime Society and Verwood Town Netball club for which I was a committee member for several years but unfortunately I was forced to ‘retire’ due to injury. Through working at Bradfords Building Supplies in Verwood for 10 years I gained a real sense of the community that lives and works in and around the town. Having lived here for so long I have witnessed a lot of change and I was motivated to become a councillor to help ensure that further developments and improvements reflect the needs and vision of Verwood’s residents.

Register of Interests 

Charmaine Crossley

ROLES: Councillor, Police Liaison Councillor & Verwood Memorial Hall Trust Committee Councillor

01202 826050

Cllrcharmaine.crossley@verwood.gov.uk

I was born in Laleham-upon-Thames, but our family moved to Surrey where I spent most of my young years.  I attended St John Bosco's Grammer School for Girls, now The Salesian School and did a course in shorthand and typing whilst studying for my foreign language A-Levels.
I worked initially as secretary to the Director of a construction company and as he was promoted within the organisation I accompanied him, taking on new challenges and responsibilities along the way as his Personal Assistant.  My boss, I and one other director were the founding members of a new international branch of the company for which I worked for many years in London until my boss was promoted to Chairman of the entire corporation and also member of the P & O Main Board of Directors.
I was married for a few years but, very sadly, found I had made an unfortunate mistake and therefore have now been divorced for many years.
After many happy years but tired of commuting to London every day, I found myself a more local job working for the President of an American company which entailed arranging and attending conferences overseas and liaising with the staff of the many overseas companies based in Europe, the Middle East and Africa who reported to our Surrey based HQ.  After seven extremely busy and challenging years I decided to make a move to Dorset.  My parents had retired from Surrey to Woodlands and on frequent visits to them, I realised that I really liked the quality of life and friendliness that I found in the area.

I moved to Verwood in 1992 and held various local PA and administrative roles until my retirement at the end of 2019.  I have always very much enjoyed life here in Verwood and the fact that, although technically a town, it has very much the heart and soul of a village which I should like to see preserved for the benefit of all.  I joined the Town Council with a view to assisting in this aim and to endeavour to give something to the community in which I live.

Register of Interests 

Tony Smith

ROLES: Councillor

07808 819762

cllrtony.smith@verwood.gov.uk

My wife Sally and I moved from the Medway Towns (Kent) in 2022 and were immediately struck by the genuine sense of community that Verwood offers its residents.
I have spent my entire working life in the pensions management and consultancy arena and during that long time, sat on and reported to a number of Pension Scheme Trustee Board's Investment Committees, some of these being well known 'household names' or large 'FTSE' companies.  Having tried to retire at least once, I continue to work from home as a Guider Specialist for Citizens Advice, delivering Pensions Wise phone appointments to individuals all across the UK.
We have been married for nearly 39 years, have 2  grown up children and, like any parents, we are very proud of their achievements. Sport, especially football, has always played a big part in our lives and although I stopped playing myself a long time ago, my wife and I still hold season tickets and continue to travel back up to East London to support our team.
Since my first ever job working for the Greater London Council, I have had an interest in 'local government' and believe any Town Council should look to lead and represent its community and actively engage with it. It should look to encourage participation in community activities, planning and decision making.
I feel privileged to have been given the chance to fulfill such an important role and am committed in helping my colleagues and local residents in any way I can, as well as immersing myself in this wonderful community for a long time to come. I arrive with no preconceptions about what can or cannot be achieved and, perhaps, may be able to bring a fresh view and new thoughts on a number of important local matters.

Register of Interests 

Elizabeth Ingram MBE

ROLES: Councillor

01202 922988

cllrelizabeth.ingram@verwood.gov.uk

I was born in Somerset, educated in Bristol and Hull University gaining a BA in Psychology and Sociology.  After varied career experiences in the Voluntary Sector Agencies I was appointed Educations Psychologist to Warrington Health Authority.  I then moved to Verwood and took up a post as Educational Psychologist in the Dorset County Education Service.
While living in Verwood I married and my son was born.  I enjoyed being near my family, Bruce and Jenny Porter who were well known in Verwood community for business and music activities.  Later while I was living elsewhere, I visited regularly and watched Verwood grow into a lively, welcoming community which I am now very pleased to be a part of.
My experience in Peterborough and Northants as a Director of a large charity, running support services to struggling families involved me in working alongside the Local Authority, Health, Police and Churches, in order to provide joined planning and support for all in need.  During this time I was very proud to be awarded an MBE.
On retirement I returned to Verwood and continued to deliver Safeguarding training and support to local churches and the voluntary sector.  I am a member of St Michaels Church and sit on the PCC.
As a Councillor I look forward to recognising and supporting the variety of strengths and needs of the thriving communities of Verwood and Three Legged Cross.

Register of Interests