Cllr. Owen

I’m a Sandwich lad born and bred, 75yrs old (October 2022). I have lived in Minster since 1982 with my wife Jenny, we have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. I was a Chatham Dockyard Apprentice, qualified Motor Transport Fitter, and have had a variety of employers including 5 years in the RAF. I finally ended up at British Bakeries as a Charge Hand Fitter and took additional training there as a Computer Technician.

I joined MPC as a Cllr in 1984 for 3 years but work commitments meant I didn't have time to do the position justice, I also did 2 years as Clerk to MPC in 2003/5.

I became Editor of Minster Matters in 2006 a position I held until December 2023 when it became necessary to close down the magazine through a lack of funding, I sit on the Community Choir (Village Voices) Committee where I'm affectionately known as Mr O, plus I monitor the village CCTV on behalf of the Parish Council.  I also have numerous other hobbies and interests including running 9 Kent based online ‘reuse’ (Freegle) groups (I previously sat on the Freegle UK Board), and I enjoy collecting diecast models (Matchbox, Dinky, Lledo etc). I am involved in all manner of other activities in and around Minster, including running the local online ‘Nextdoor’ neighbourhood site, I'm also a vice president of the Minster Show and a founding member of the village flag flying team.

I ran in Ramsgate with the Olympic torch in 2012 thanks to residents of Minster who nominated me.

I became a Parish Councillor for the second time in 2017 to try to help improve our village and the lives of our residents.