Councillors and Clerk

Councillor Steve Spillane (Chair)

Steve studied computer science in the late 1960’s and has worked in Marketing for Cadbury Schweppes in Bourneville, and with Digital (now HP) in England, Scotland, Switzerland, the USA and Australia. Steve currently runs his own consultancy mainly specialising in Next Generation Broadband working mainly with Local authorities and development agencies.
In 1982 Irene and Steve moved to Silchester. Steve was involved in the action group which successfully blocked Trihomes trying to build 450 new houses in the village on the land south of Silchester house. In the early 1990’s. Steve was also on the Silchester Millennium committee which amongst other things, started the Silchester Fun Run. Steve spent 20 years on the Silchester Association Committee and for a number of years was responsible for the Fun Run and Bonfire night. With others Steve also raised the funds and managed the upgrading and extension to the Playground and is a Trustee of the playground association.
Steve hopes to continue the work of previous councillors in improving the Silchester environment for its residents and ensuring the council provides a safe pair of hand for the village assets.

Councillor John Harrison

John is a chartered engineering consultant, specialising in advising the oil, gas and chemical industries on materials, welding and corrosion prevention. He also runs a garden design business in any spare time left. In his time as parish councillor his main duties, as well as being vice chairman of the Council, have included being chairman of the Silchester Common Management Committee and representing the council on the Roman Site consultative panel. John has a wide range of interests but prefers outdoor activities in his spare time. This has led to a keen interest in ensuring the security of Silchester Common and maintaining its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Councillor Vanessa Richards (Vice-chair)

Married with two daughters, the eldest at Silchester School , I'm a mechanical engineer, company director and vice chair of Silchester Parish Council. I'm interested in improving facilities for all children within the village. As chair of the Playground Association, I am working to make the long-planned extension to the playground a reality and then plan to concentrate on facilities for slightly older children. I also take a keen interest in the finances of the parish council.

Councillor Sue Pragnell

During the 20 years Sue has lived in the Conservation area of Three Ashes she has been directly involved in a number of projects relating to planning and highways. As a Parish Councillor she proposes to take a keen interest in these important areas throughout the village. Sue has also supported fund raising for Reading University ’s annual dig at the Roman town and as the Council’s representative on Hampshire CC’s Roman Site Panel hopes to expand her involvement in this important area of the Village’s heritage. Sue is also very keen to develop further participation of the residents in the lower Bramley Road area in the activities of the Parish Council, both in the provision of services and activities, but also helping to maintain the rural and tranquil nature of the whole Village and its special character.

Councillor Steve Baker

Steve is a Mechanical and Production engineer, specialising in Quality Assurance. He has lived around the surrounding area since birth in 1962 and currently resides on the southern fringe of Tadley. As a parish councillor, Steve’s main duties include representing the council through the Pavilion and Grounds committee. Steve is interested in all aspects of Silchester life and helps out at most village activities.

Councillor Simon Mahaffey

Simon moved to Silchester in 1978 and although having been intermittently resident in the village since then, has always considered Silchester to be home.  With an early career in conservation and international development he lived overseas working for wildlife parks in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Peru and Venezuela.  In the mid nineties Simon was one of a handful of individuals in the UK to work full time on carbon dioxide mitigation and was instrumental in setting up one of the UK's first carbon offsetting firms.  Following a short stint in the City, Simon moved back to the village in 2007 to take up permanent residency with his wife and two young children.  Now a company director, he is keen to promote community engagement in developing a vibrant and prosperous future for the village without losing any of its rural character.

Councillor Derek Monger

Derek is an insurance claims analyst and has been doing this for 16 years. He has lived locally all his life and in Silchester for 11 years. Married with 2 children-the eldest being at Silchester School and the youngest at Cherry trees. I am interested in the facilities for children, the common, Roman site and generrally anything which will improve the village.