Peter Richardson
Elected for Three Legged Cross and Potterne at Verwood Town Council and East Dorset District Council May 2007
Peter born in 1940 at Portsmouth, where he grew up, was educated at the Grammar School Portsmouth - he attended through to the 6th. form - leaving in 1957 to take up a position in the City Architect’s Department. There while studying Architecture at the Portsmouth College of Art, he developed several projects in the housing section both in the city and the near by dormitory town at Havant.
After a time spent at Moor Park pre-Theological College, he entered the King Alfred College of Education, Winchester and trained as a teacher, specialising in Primary Education.
His teaching career began locally in Hampshire at Portchester and then to Luton. From there he was promoted to Headteacher of Alderholt St James Primary School and later to be Headteacher of St. Andrews School Laverstock, Salisbury.
His career in education also took in work for the National Association of Headteachers, of which he is a life member. He represented colleagues at local District Branches and County Federation Bodies where he developed a wide base knowledge of the structure and operational interrelationship of national, regional and local government.
With 35 years’ local government service in 5 different authorities - of which 27 yrs. at Executive Headteacher level in 2 authorities, with consequential experience in strategic and forward planning, performance management and organisational development, in schools responsible for budgets in excess of £160K he had a clear understanding of the requirements of a wide range of committees at National, County, and District local government level.
Peter had offered himself for election to Kennet District Council at a by-election in 1988, where he represented the village of Ludgershall in Kennet Wiltshire and was Parish Councillor there, both working for the wider community for 20 years.
During this period and being a Chairman of both Parish and District Councils over the years, he participated in many area community activities, public engagements and committee chairmanships, which took him into wide partnerships, both in the County of Wiltshire and in the SW Region. By reporting to Regional and National Bodies, Governing Bodies, District Council Officers and members and at various public meetings, he honed his media and public communication skills.
Moving to Three Legged Cross in October 2006, he joined the Neighbourhood Watch Association and is appointed as the Three Legged Cross Village Co-ordinator.
Being a caravanner for a number of years, he enjoys travel both at home and abroad. He looks forward to taking full part in community activities in the area and enjoys spending his spare time playing golf and exploring the countryside with his wife Rosemary. He has three grown up children and six grandchildren.