The Council

Parish Lengthsman - The Parish Council have a lengthsman who carries out work for the Council. This includes cutting back vegetation around signs, unblocking grilles and rodding drains. Councillor members liaise with the lengthsman to establish what work is required.

Councillors

Our Councillors do not have any special responsibilities

Netherbury and Waytown Councillors

Robert Bowditch

Robert Bowditch

01308 488214

rbbowditch@gmail.com

Register of Interest 

Robert has lived in the Netherbury parish since 1968, firstly at North Bowood and since 1984 at Parnham Farm. Robert is a farmer with dairying being the main enterprise. The farm also has a flock of sheep and rears beef cattle and dairy replacements. Robert’s family are involved on the farm and all live locally. Robert has been on the parish council since the 1970s and loves the West Dorset area that we live in. The Netherbury Parish villages have slowly changed over the years but have still managed to maintain their character.

Richard King

Richard King

Chair

01308 488025

RKing@ktlaw.co.uk

Register of Interest 

Richard has lived in Netherbury for over 25 years. He has been a Parish Councillor since September 2011,Vice Chair since May 2012, and took on the position of Chair in May 2024. Richard is a local solicitor. He is very happy to make himself available to discuss with parishioners any matters at all concerning the Parish.

Ryan Strong

Ryan Strong

07503 021 152

rstrongatlas@gmail.com

Register of Interest 

Ryan has lived in Dorset since 2005 and helps run an Orchard and Cider farm business in Waytown.

He is proud to call this beautiful part of West Dorset home. He is friendly and open to talk to all of those in the parish on any matters they like.

Kevin Goodfellow

Kevin Goodfellow

01308 488275

kevin-kathgoodfellow@hotmail.co.uk

Register of Interest 

Kevin has lived in Dorset all his life and moved to Higher Silkhay in 1990 where he farms with his family.

Clare Handford

Clare Handford

01308 488326

clare_southwell@hotmail.com

Register of Interest 

Clare has lived in the area for over 15 years. Clare is an active member of the local Community.  Clare serves as a committee member for the Local Weldmar Hospicecare Committee and the Netherbury Players.

Salwayash Councillors

Yvonne Dyke

Yvonne Dyke

01308 488280

yvonne@pineappleestate.co.uk

Register of Interest 

Yvonne married into one of the long standing local farming families. Yvonne has been closely involved with village activities for many years.

Peter Bailey

Peter Bailey

01308 488611

peterbaileyhome@gmail.com

Register of Interest 

Peter was born, and has lived and worked all his life in West Dorset moving to Salway Ash in 2003.  A Netherbury Parish Councilor for over ten year, he has also been involved in the village life as a member of both the village hall and the fete committees.  He is committed to helping the local community where he can, and happy for anyone to contact him regarding local issues. 

Melplash Councillors

Chris David

Chris David

01308 488238

cornergarage@btconnect.com

Register of Interest 

The garage in Melplash has been in the family since 1936. Chris took the garage over in 1994.

Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers

Vice Chair

07788 437289

twinways@gmail.com

Register of Interest

Mark is an orchardist and beekeeper. Mark has farmed all his life and is of fourth generation local farming stock. Often found amongst the apple trees in Melplash, helping out with local events or chasing bees around in his little shed. Please go and say hello if there is anything that you would like asked on your behalf at a parish level or if you feel that you would like to be represented regarding any local matters.

Ward Councillor:

Neil Eysenck

Contact details:

cllrneil.eysenck@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

07493 724974