NEW COUNCILLOR Andrea Colbourne is getting stuck into life as an elected representative after creating history for the Conservatives.
Having become the party’s first in Hyde Godley since 1975, the work has already started.
Cllr Colbourne defeated Labour’s David MacAllister by a majority of 83 votes in what was seen as the key battleground of the election.
And it did not take long before the emotion of the achievement hit home – and for the calls to start.
“Aldermaster John Bell said after the result was declared, ‘You’re the first Conservative councillor in Godley since 1975.’ He actually got quite teary about it.
“The main issue was the green bet and the then council leader’s comments but over the last few years, I’d been trying to get my face out there and known.
“It was a shock to hear that, though.
“Of course there are other issues in Godley than just one. The town centre needs sorting out for a start, it needs a local town plan and we need more footfall in it.
“But I’d already been doing things before. After the election, I got in touch with a few people I had jobs ongoing with, saying I’d been elected and I hope to carry one giving them support.
“It wasn’t a case of, ‘Right, that’s it.’
“And I’ve had a few of calls already. Someone contacted me regarding overhanging trees and a couple of issues regarding bins, which I’ve sorted.”
Cllr Colbourne, who admits life as a new councillor is still ‘quite surreal’ – especially hearing herself referred to as a councillor – is still working out how to juggle running her own business with council work.
But getting herself into this position took plenty of effort – and a fair bit of stress.
She added: “You just get into the zone and it is stressful as you think, ‘Oh, what if I’m elected, what if I’m not again?’
“You always have that in the back of your head but I always think, ‘Don’t think ahead as if you do, you’ll be disappointed.’
“You’ve got to get leaflets and letters out in time, you want to have time for door knocking. It’s full on.
“But Cllr Colbourne has a good ring to it – it sounds just right I think!”