A RETIRED businessman has been co-opted on to Barnard Castle Town Council to represent the east ward.
Initially there had been three applications by residents for the post, which was made vacant following the resignation of Mark Wilkes. However, one of the candidates, Alan Beaty, withdrew.
After hearing representations from the two remainings, Michael McLean and Tim Raw, the councillors took a vote.
However, not before a warning from councillor John Blissett.
He said: “You realise by putting your names forward your privacy is out of the window if you are elected.
“Social media can cause some problems.”
Mr Raw, who until he retired six years ago ran several businesses within the town including a fencing company Livewire, was elected.
Mr Raw said: “I did not take too well to retirement, missing the contact and involvement, consequently I have become involved, in varying degrees, in volunteering roles, including a Gamesmaker at the 2012 Olympic Games, part of the pack for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, member of the independent monitoring board for Deerbolt for four years, plus a variety of ad hoc days with various organisations – Tees River Trust, North Pennines AONB. I like to think I am a team player.”
Mr Raw was born and bred in the town and went to Barnard Castle School. He moved away after attending agricultural college, but returned, with his wife, nearly 40 years ago.
When asked for one of his driving forces behind standing for councillor, Mr Raw replied: “Parking.”
He put his name forward after reading of the vacancy in the Teesdale Mercury and following healthy encouragement from his wife.
