WE invited each candidate standing for Launceston Town Council to supply a 200 word biography introducing themselves to readers ahead of the election on May 1.

Bonnie Soanes is a 68-year-old, educated in Cornwall and has always felt a strong connection to the area, enjoying visits to its many towns and villages. After a 28-year career in the civil service, he’s now retired but eager to bring his years of experience in public service to the local council.

Having served for four years on Launceston Town Council, Bonnie now feels that this is the time to stand up for a second term on Launceston Town Council.

Bonnie has been active in Cornwall, helping out with various groups, including his work with Lawrence House Museum, where he’s been involved in preserving Cornwall’s history.

He also has a solid military background, with three years of service in the Royal Navy Auxiliary Service and 17 years in the Royal Observer Corps, which gave him a deep sense of duty and community.

With a strong connection to Cornwall, a wealth of experience, and a passion for local life, Bonnie is dedicated to making a positive impact on Launceston Town Council South Ward. He’s ready to use his skills and knowledge to serve the community in a way that benefits everyone.

I will not promise you all the impossible, I will commit to helping where I can. I will listen to all points of view and take them into consideration.

If anybody asks me a question, I will try to answer it fairly and honestly. If the answer has escaped me, then I will try my best to find out from a reliable source, the true information.

I have many connections with local people and organisations. Conversation is not dead in my book, it is an important gift in life. Sometimes people want you to listen.

I will treat everyone with respect, courtesy and honesty. I want to see our communities grow and thrive and people in it to have the best lives possible.

Please vote, it is your right, you cannot change history but together we can make a future.

My name is Dave Gordon, I am a retired firefighter serving in Plymouth, but continued to live in Launceston my whole life.

My spare time is taken up with gardening, genealogy research and my lovely grandchildren.

I have served on the town council for 18 years and during that time I have served on all of the council committees, and been proud to serve as your mayor four times (2013 to 2015 and 2019 to 2021).

During those four years as mayor, I had the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of our residents for the benefit of our town.

Launceston has always been important to me, as has the residents, which is why I joined the town council. If I am privileged to be re-elected, I will continue to work hard for you and our town on your behalf.

My most recent campaign has been working towards getting Launceston re-connected to the railway network with a direct line to Okehampton.

If achieved, this will make a major positive impact on our town, and wider community. Being a town councillor is a privilege which I have enjoyed, and with your support on polling day, I pledge to continue to put Launceston and its residents first and foremost.

Davey Green enjoyed a 30 year career in aviation and was a cabin service director with British Airways.

His last (and 263rd) marathon will be at London next week and his charity fundraising has reached over £30,000 which was why he was selected as an Olympic torchbearer for London 2012.

Having served for four years on Launceston Town Council, Davey now feels that this is the right time to stand up for a second term on Launceston Town Council.

Having been a carer for both his parents, and with a disabled child in full time care, Davey understands the role that our councillors must play in order to deliver the vital services that people are entitled to.

Davey has been a school governor and is the County FA Mental Health Champion and is also a trustee of the Lawrence House Museum and is often seen promoting local businesses and activities all around the community.

As a former chairman of the UK 100 Marathon Club, Davey has a vast experience of organising committees and ensuring that all practices are correct and transparent.

More recently, because of his football connections, Davey became a committee member on both the Launceston & District Cup and the St Piran Football League.

Gregg Anston-Race was born and bred in Cornwall, grew up near Bude and have lived in the chapel area of Launceston for the past 12 years with my wife and daughter.

I have always loved the town’s rich history, and I’m keen to see Launceston thrive for future generations.

I believe in open, inclusive values and intend to represent people of all ages and backgrounds. I’m 43 years old and I especially care about giving a stronger voice to the younger generations in our town.

I ran my own studio as a professional artist for nearly 20 years and now work full time in the town. Having run my own business, I understand the challenges local small businesses face and I’m keen to represent their views.

Through groups such as the Lanson Shout who I sing with, I have met many people in the town and I’m always happy to stop for a chat with anyone.

I love the outdoors and in my spare time you will often find me in a field with my metal detector or hiking the moors. You may often see me out litter picking with my daughter on the roads where I live.

Launceston became my home 21 years ago, when I moved from Cumbria with my son Kane and married Adrian, I also have a step-daughter Suzannah.

Since moving I got involved volunteering and am a member of Lions International as secretary of The Helen Keller Internet Lions Club, I am also president-elect of Launceston Inner Wheel Club. I have been mayor for two years and have served on the town council for seven years, during this time I have been deputy mayor, chair of the finance committee and an active member of many working groups. Visiting new places locally, travelling abroad and socialising with family and friends are also my favourite things to do.

I have been employed as an accounts manager at M&M Plant (Devon and Cornwall) Ltd for 17 years, a local company that continues to grow.

There are many things I love about our beautiful town, the people are what make it the most amazing place to live. So many dedicated volunteers make things happen, the community spirit, the independent shops and markets, make the town a welcoming and friendly place to work and live.

I live in Langore, I am a local business owner, I am a father of three wonderful children who attend local schools, I have been a parish councillor for St Stephens Rural parish for four years, and I am passionate about our local community.

I have run a small independent local tree surgery business since 2018, Langore Tree Services. I started the business after retiring from the British Army after serving 25 years, when I realised that I wanted to return to childhood roots in Cornwall.

Son of a farmer, I grew up on a Duchy of Cornwall farm south of Launceston so I feel very at home in our rural community. I am passionate about the rural landscape that we are so fortunate to live and work in, and I feel that we are custodians and that we must care for and improve the environment for future generations.

In my spare time, I enjoy walks on Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, watching the All Blacks at Polson, and I am also a member of Launceston Royal British legion. I also work for a charity called Highground, who help servicemen and women leaving the forces find employment in the land based sector.

I am a standalone independent candidate for Launceston Town Council, having been an active Town Councillor since 2019.

I am also connected to our adjoining parish of St Stephen by Launceston Rural, having been a Parish Councillor there for a decade, and Chair for many years.

My particular interest is healthcare, specifically mental health and wellbeing, and I am a qualified Therapeutic Counsellor volunteering in our community.

I am a member of Launceston Medical Centre’s Patient Participation Group and the appointed lay member on the N&E Cornwall NHS Integrated Care Area Forum. I am also a Project Group member working with the NHS Integrated Care Board Comms Team.

As a Councillor Advocate and Independent Custody Visitor, I work closely with Devon and Cornwall Police to help promote the safety and welfare of our citizens. I am also a member of the Launceston CCTV Project which provides such a valuable service in our town.

Being a mother and grandmother, I have a great interest in the wellbeing of all our young people and want to see each child reach their full potential. As Chair of Governors at St Stephens Community Academy, I support that aspiration wholeheartedly.

As a Charles Causley Trustee, I embrace the cultural richness of Launceston and the wonderful heritage we enjoy here. Having lived just off the centre of Launceston town for 23 years, I am surrounded by beautiful iconic buildings. I have had the privilege of engaging in the renovation projects of some of these buildings and I hope that I can continue to do so.

I moved to Launceston in 1978 and have lived and worked here ever since.

I worked with the Inland Revenue in Launceston Tax Office until I took early retirement in 2008 as a precursor to the office closing.

I have also been a part time motorcycle instructor since 1978 and recently handed over the reins to the younger generation.

Throughout Covid I had the pleasure of driving a delivery van taking provisions to village shops and similar, never have people been so happy to see me!

I was elected to Cornwall Council in 2021 and in addition to serving on many committees have managed to secure funding for retaining the Leisure Centre in local control, to move our library to the old Barclays Bank and retain Adult Education in Launceston. The new skatepark in Coronation Park is another success story with numbers using it above expectations.

My name is John Harris, my wife Barbara and I moved to Launceston from Poundstock near Bude in 1982, we have two grownup children and live in Hurdon. Living and bringing up our children in Launceston has been such a rewarding time and a true joy.

Outside the town council my time is mostly taken up with housing, working with Cornwall Council and government agencies to improve conditions and services for social housing tenants. I’m also very active within our community in maintaining the security and safety of our residents. At present I am the secretary of the Launceston CCTV project and Chair of the Launceston Street Pastors.

I am also very committed to the ongoing high level of education for our children; I have been a governor at Windmill Hill Academy for 9 years and Chair for the past 3.

My free time is taken up with art and craft projects, I sculpt in wood, ceramics, paint and draw. I’m also beginning to work in fabrics. As I’ve used a walking stick for many years I decided to make my own, mainly out of wood, using a sculptural technique, which makes them unique and quite distinctive.

Launceston is my home. Though I was raised in Camborne, I came to Lanson in 1972 and has volunteered in the community for years.

I love the town’s sense of community spirit, as seen through groups such as Launceston In Bloom.

I have a breadth of experience, having served 25 years in the council previously, as well as taking on the role of chair of the planning committee, as well as being involved in a variety of community projects.

I am a strong believer that the town council should not be political, instead a group which represents the community and serves the community’s interests.

I am approachable and love hearing from members of the community and hope to be able to support them.

My name is Nicola Gilbert and I have lived in Launceston all life. I am whole heartedly committed to our wonderful town, which is rich in history and has a thriving community.

For 30 years, I managed a charity based pre-school in the heart of Launceston, supporting hundreds of children and their families. I am an active member of Kensey Vale Bowling Club and have been for the last 50 years. Within the club, I volunteer my time to develop youth teams for two local primary schools. This allows the youth of today to develop and gain new skills and access an additional area of their community.

I am currently servicing as a councillor for the South Ward of Launceston, as well as Deputy Mayor. Throughout my time as councillor and deputy mayor, I have enjoyed working with my fellow councillors and members of the community, supporting and developing numerous community projects to enhance our town.

If I am privileged enough to be re-elected in May for the South Ward of Launceston, I will continue to work hard to ensure the positive future of our town by working alongside you as a community.

Rob was raised in Launceston and attended Pennygillam Secondary School and Launceston College. He is married to Pat and they have three children and four grandchildren.

‘When I was young, I was told “To be part of a community, you have to be actively involved and give something back.” Launceston is a fantastic town and we must all do what we can to make it a place to be proud of.’

Rob has been a member of St Mary Magdalene Parish Church since childhood and is a Local Worship Leader.

Rob is a Member of Royal Institution of Cornwall and President of Launceston Old Cornwall Society. He is also Chair of Launceston Priory Friends.

Rob organised the first St Piran’s Day ceremony at Launceston Castle in 1999, and was involved in getting permissions for the St Piran Flag to fly from the Castle.

Rob was made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh 1998 for his work for Lanson and Cornwall.

Rob has been Launceston’s Town Crier for 48 years and actively promotes the town.

In 2019 Rob was made an Honoured Burgess of the Town of Launceston in recognition of his considerable contribution to the Town.

He joined Launceston Town Council in 1988 and served as Mayor from 2011 to 2013.

Also standing: Sally Lankston, Paul O’Brien, Paula Bullen and Margaret Young.