Councillors

Chair- Denise Chamberlain

Originally from the South West, with my husband Mark, I have called Great Urswick home for over 20 years. I work from home as an IT consultant. I have been a member of the Parish Council for 18 years and joined as a way of integrating and understanding the community, helping me get to know the people who live here. I am also a Governor at Ulverston Victoria High School. I’m passionate about protecting our beauty of our Parish, whilst trying to ensure it remains a thriving community-led place to live.

Vice Chair- Jeff Winder

I retired from a career in Office Furniture management and design 2 years ago. I have lived in Little Urswick with my wife Christine and my 2 children for over 40 years. I have served on the Parish Council for Little Urswick for over 35 years. In my life I have been Treasurer of Urswick Playground. I was a Governor of Urswick Grammar  and Low Furness Schools and have been Chairman of Kendal and District Tennis league. I also played cricket and football for Ulverston, tennis for BAE for 40 years and badminton for various clubs including Urswick. I currently partake in walking football in Ulverston, each Friday. I love where we live, it is still a wonderful  place to be and with this Parish Council I am passionate that any future developments will not spoil that.

Councillor Tom Brimley

I am a retired Forensic Scientist and Expert Witness, having spent my entire working career in the North West of England. Initially, I worked for the Home Office and then the Forensic Science Service before it was closed by the Government in 2012. My wife has been a visitor to Bardsea since the early 1960’s and I have visited with her from 1976. We consider ourselves fortunate to have owned a property in this charming village for the past fifteen years. I am a keen angler, photographer and supporter of nature. I hold memberships of the RNLI, the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, the Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and the Woodland Trust. I have been a Parish Councillor since 2022 and I am keen to support residents in maintaining and improving both the landscapes and amenities available to the villages.

Councillor Nancy Cowsill

I’ve been a Stainton Parish Councillor and Secretary for Stainton Recreation Hall for over 25 years. I enjoy being part of a close community and like to encourage new villagers to join in with village life, quizzes, coffee mornings, village picnics and other gatherings. Our family farm is on the village green and we are proud to have helped to maintain and mow the Green for over 50 years, which has enhanced many rare species. It also keeps the open access for everyone to walk, play and enjoy such a special place. I worked for 20 years for a local auction, estate and land agents which gave me lots of local knowledge in property matters often used in Parish Council meetings. Now retired I spend any free time from farming with sporty grandkids and riding my horse.

Councillor Jo Scott

I have lived in the village of Great Urswick for over 40 years and love being part of the community. I am keen to help keep the village a place where people feel safe to live amongst their neighbours. I joined the Parish Council to make a difference to our community and I want to protect our main asset, The Tarn and our greenfield spaces.

Councillor Heather Cawley

Being a villager born and bred, I am passionate about Urswick and the surrounding areas. I attended Urswick Grammar School and was there when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited for its quarter-centenary,  a very special time for the village. My son attended Low Furness Primary School where I then became Clerk to the Governors for 4 years. I currently work in sales for an engineering company in Ulverston and am also an Adult Instructor in the Army Cadet Force. Each month in our local recreation hall I call the numbers for the Charity Bingo raising around £6000 each year for local charities. I believe our rural communities should be provided for and are just as important, if not more,  than larger communities in towns or cities. We require a certain amount of infrastructure without too much upheaval to our countryside landscapes. I believe that change should be embraced when required but not to change for the sake of it. Our villages have a lot of history and this should be preserved wherever possible for our future generations.

Councillor Katie Stepanian

I am a qualified teacher and a Deputy Head at a Primary school in Barrow-in-Furness. I have lived in Great Urswick since 2016, relocating from the Midlands and joined the Parish Council in 2023. I have previously been an adult instructor with the RAF Air Cadets and commanded cadet squadrons, working with a parent committee to support young people’s opportunities as part of the organisation. I am currently a Staff Governor at my workplace. I am a keen horse rider and photographer and love the area surrounding Urswick, which enables me to indulge in both of these past-times. I am also a member of the General Burgoyne Ladie’s darts team. Becoming part of the Parish Council is an important privilege and I am committed to ensuring that our Parish needs are served and the community maintained for future generations.