FOUR new faces have filled vacant seats on Malpas Parish Council, with all pledging to do their bit for the village.

Joy Bebbington, Claire Ardern, Roma Hancock and Sue Norwood were co-opted on to the council last month and have filled four of five seats that have been empty since the last election in May.

The new councillors, who all live in Malpas, come from a variety of backgrounds and each say they are looking forward to taking up the new challenge.

Cllr Bebbington, an IT manager for Cheshire Police, said she wants to ‘make a difference’ to the community while ‘ensuring Malpas retains its charm’.

“I love living in Malpas, there is such a sense of tradition and I love being part of a community where everyone gets involved,” she added.

“I believe everyone has something to offer and I’d like to see people in rural areas get the same opportunities people living in cities get. It will be a challenge but I hope we can address these issues, come up with innovative solutions and understand other people.”

Village issues including parking and speeding are some of the topics accounts manager Cllr Hancock wants to tackle in her new role.

She said: “It won’t be easy as there’s a lot of work to do but I think it will really open my eyes and make me more aware.

“I grew up in Malpas and used to know everyone but there are lots of people I don’t know now and I’m looking forward to meeting them.”

Cllr Ardern, a young mother of two who joins her mother Gill on the council, would like to see new services for children and young people in the village.

“I first moved to Malpas as a teenager and it’s one of those places you want to keep coming back to. It’s a lovely environment for kids and the place I want to bring mine up,” she added.

“I want to see Malpas maintain the rural aspect and hear everyone’s ideas.”

Cllr Norwood, now retired after working in the NHS for 40 years, hopes to be a ‘voice’ for the community.

“I’d like to help maintain the community spirit we have in Malpas. The village has a heart and I want it to keep on beating.

“It’s being that voice for everyone who doesn’t always get that opportunity to have their say.”