Good morning residents of Chaulden, Warners End and Gadebridge, I'm standing in today's county council elections, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to introduce myself.

Full statement

I'm standing in the North West Division of Chaulden, Warners End and Gadebridge as all 3 places are very close to my heart. My first home was in Warners End and I went to Chaulden Junior School, then onto Cavendish Secondary. I am a DBC councillor for the Gadebridge ward where I now live. My dad George Mitchell was the councillor for Warners End, Chair of Chaulden and Halsey School Governors and on the Chaulden Adventure Playground Committee for many years; he was also a well known trader on Hemel market back in the day when it was the heart and soul of the town in the old market square.

Some of my community work includes:

The creation of the Gadebridge Community Group during COVID to bring the community together at that difficult time and it now has in excess of 4,400 members and is an active support network for the people of Gadebridge.

I ran a 3 year campaign group against a proposed development on the land south west of Leighton Buzzard Road, opposite Piccotts End. The group created a Rule 6 party to enable us to have legal representation at the 3 week planning inquiry which I attended every day to support our barrister and as an expert witness.

I'm currently working on the issues at Parkwood Drive Surgery and raised them with the Health Committee last year which resulted in the Integrated Care Board involvement. You can find my updates on this in the Patients of Parkwood Drive group.

I'm truly touched by the heartwarming support and lovely feedback that my Gadebridge residents have given me during the election campaign which you can see on the Gadebridge Community group and I would love to be able to reconnect with my roots and work hard for the people of Chaulden and Warners End as well. I apologise if I haven't been able to make it to your door but I'm walking with crutches following an accident last year. If you'd like to speak with me to find out more please feel free to reach out to me directly. I feel it’s so important for anyone who represents an area to be in close and clear contact with all residents so that I can fight for the rights and needs of the community.

I'd really appreciate your support and thank you for taking the time to read this.

(Promoted by Geraint Cooksley on behalf of Angela Mitchell both at 28 Alma Rd, St Albans, AL1 3BW.)