Cllr Andy Lindsay

Chair

Andy has lived in Brereton Heath for 14 years and before that, Holmes Chapel for 25 years. He has been a Brereton Parish Councillor for seven years.

He and his wife Carol have three grown up children with one being supported at home. Andy is retired, having been a director of a manufacturing company with factories throughout England.

Andy loves living in Brereton with its peaceful rural nature and would like to keep it that way! He was a core member of the Neighbourhood Plan team. He is currently leading the Connecting Brereton workgroup doing what a parish council can do to improve the infrastructure people use to communicate together for example by broadband and by the footpaths joining our three main settlements of Brereton Green, Brereton Heath and Bluebell Green.

Andy likes walking with a U3A group, gardening and travel to see how and where other people live. When he can get a few minutes to himself, he likes to read historical novels

Cllr Alun Andrews

Alun was born in Wales and has lived in Brereton for about 50 years, in two properties.  He has a brother and sister who live in Wales and Newcastle on Tyne. Alun has no plans to leave the village as it is an ideal place for him to live. He is keen to put something back into the community now that he has fewer outside responsibilities. Alun was co-opted as a councillor in late 2022.

He is retired from a career in computing in Manchester and Birmingham.  Alun is heavily involved with Alsager Sub Aqua Club.  He has a Duke of Edinburgh’s award and is a Queen’s Scout.  He enjoys daily dog walks at the local nature reserve.  In his spare time he enjoys podcasts, reading and television especially science, nature, quizzes and comedy. 

Cllr Nicholas Castle

Nicholas was born in Burnley, East Lancashire. He moved to Brereton about 16 years ago after a career in Lancashire Constabulary. He worked primarily with Communities promoting cohesion and developing deprived areas through multi-agency work.

Helping his local community is something he has always been involved in, teaching Bushcraft, and working with a Beaver group.

Nicholas works with his assistance dog and enjoys training dogs; in his spare time, he enjoys close-up magic and Mentalism along with playing the guitar.

Cllr John Charlesworth

John was born in Congleton and moved to the Parish over 20 years ago. His early career was spent with the Royal Engineers, which took him around the world and provided the training for his working life in the family electrical contracting business, which he has ran for over 30 years.

He believes we are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area and is keen to keep the best of what we have for future generations whilst accepting the changing needs of the community.

He enjoys the opportunities the Parish provides for his running, now quite slowly, and for spending time with his 4 grandchildren who live locally. His wife Debbie, a keen carriage driver in the past, now maintains a menagerie of cats, chickens, sheep, ponies and a donkey ( Henry)  and he assists as necessary.

John assisted with the development of the Neighbourhood Plan, he is deputy chair of Congleton Community Credit Union and remains active within the military community as Chair of both the North West Reserve Forces  Employer Engagement Group and East Cheshire ABF The Soldiers Charity Committee.

Cllr Hannah Clews

Hannah is our youngest member and joined the council in 2014, she has lived in the parish all her life and runs her own business from her home in Brereton. Previously Hannah worked in London and Scotland in advertising and wedding planning but says Brereton is home for now. Shortly after joining us, Hannah accepted the role of the council’s representative for the nature reserve, and takes a keen interest in the development of this unique park.

Hannah’s interests, other than running her business, are travelling and jewellery design. Hannah is always happy to help to raise money for charity or get involved with local events and considers herself fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.

Cllr Jacqui Dixon

Jacqui relocated from Lancashire to Cheshire over 16 years ago, first living in Holmes Chapel before moving to Brereton 5 years ago. She has spent most of her career working as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in a local Cheshire Veterinary Hospital. More recently , her role was adapted to suit family life; she is now an administrative assistant within the same Veterinary Hospital.

Jacqui joined the Parish Council in November 2021. She is keen to be involved with all aspects concerning Brereton, especially road safety. She loves living in this quiet, rural community.

Jacqui is married to Roger, and they have 3 very active children! You might spot her out walking the family’s boisterous Border Collie around the parish (chasing a frisbee!) or out with the children on bikes or in the park. When not at home, you will find Jacqui at the gym where she spends her early mornings.

Cllr Jill Matusiak

Jill has lived in the parish of Brereton for most of her life and still lives in the farmhouse where she was born! She has served on the parish council for 11 years being the link councillor with Brereton C of E (Aided) primary school where she used to be Chair of Governors.

She married her husband Bish (Zbigniew) at St Oswald’s Church, Brereton and they have 2 grown up daughters. A garden enthusiast and lover of the countryside she is a keen supporter of the Neighbourhood Plan. She loves all kinds of music but especially likes going to rock concerts!

Cllr Rachael Mellers

Rachael was elected to the parish council in May 2023, this is her first experience of being a Parish Counsellor, but she is looking forward to the challenges and getting involved in the local community here in Brereton. She is keen to continue to support the work of the parish council and hopes to build engagement within Bluebell Green, the newest settlement to be built in Brereton.

Rachael grew up in Dorset on the south coast before moving up north in 2010 to study her Law degree at Keele University. She moved to Brereton in 2020 when she bought her first home in Bluebell Green.

Rachael is a Commercial Solicitor and currently works in-house for a parcel delivery company. In her spare time, you may see her walking her crazy labradoodle at the local nature reserve which is their favourite place to explore.

Cllr Mandy Wearne

Mandy lives locally and has worked in the NHS most of her adult life. A qualified nurse, midwife and health visitor, she has held many senior executive and non-executive positions in the NHS at regional and national level. She is qualified coach and mediator; works with a number of hospitals and community services and is a trustee of Community Integrated Care, a national charity caring for people mental health and learning disabilities.

She can often be seen walking her dog around Brereton Nature Reserve and the local byways where she volunteers as a litter picker. Her passions are learning Italian, dancing and trying to play the piano.