Susan Welch

Chairman

Green Acres
Sheepcote Lane
Darley
HG3 2RP

01423 780970

chairman@darleyparishcouncil.org.uk

Sue is a retired University Lecturer who has also run her own I.T. Consultancy company. She came to Darley from Leeds in 2007 and was Parish Clerk from April 2008 until April 2018. She has also been Clerk to the Darley School Governors and a Governor of Forest Moor School, and is Chairman of RAF Menwith Hill British American Committee. Sue leads the local Heritage Group and wrote the books Darley Remembered, Darley Celebrations, and Darley Memorial Hall, and she is Chairman of Nidderdale Museum. She is currently Vice Chairman of the Nidderdale AONB Joint Advisory Committee.  Sue is married to Mel, who is on the Darley Memorial Hall Management Committee, has been a trustee of the Playing Fields Association and is Chairman of Sport Nidderdale amongst many other roles. They have two grown up children, with grandchildren, who live further south.

Register of interests for Sue Welch 

Joanne Hayes

20 Low Green
HG3 2QA

07710 660799

jo.darleypc@gmail.com

Councillor Hayes was co-opted to the Parish Council in February 2023.  Further information to follow shortly.

Register of interests for Councillor Jo Hayes 

Rob Ferguson

20 Low Green
HG3 2QA

07758 645 518

rob.ferguson1961@gmail.com

Rob moved to Darley with his partner Joanne in March 2019 from Peterborough and currently works as a Business Development Manager in the Automotive sector. Not long after moving he played an active role in the Darley against major development campaign as he is keen to maintain the integrity of the village as much as possible.

His interests include walking and cycling and plays regularly for the Dacre bowls club.

Register of interests for Councillor Rob Ferguson 

Dave Dickinson

Parish Councillor

Station Lane House
Main St
HG3 2QF

01423 780060

dickinsond@btinternet.com

Dave has been on the Parish Council since the 1990s and has been a parish representative on the Board of the Nidderdale AONB and on the Darley Memorial Hall Committee.

He keeps a watchful eye on the local footpaths during his daily walks with his dogs. Dave works as a print engineer and has lived in the village with his wife Maggie for 40 years. He owns several vintage cars and arranges a rally in Darley every 2 years. 

Register of interests for Councillor Dave Dickinson 

Jo McAllister

Stonehaven Barn
Main St
HG3 2QF

01423 780609

jo.mcallister@hotmail.co.uk

Jo and her husband James moved to Darley in 2007, relocating from the south to be closer to James' family. They have 2 sons, currently at secondary school in Harrogate, who both went to Darley Pre-School and Darley School. Jo has been a school governor at Darley School, was Chair of Darley Pre-School for a number of years and has also been Treasurer for the school PTFA and for Darley Scout Group.  She has worked in marketing and project management roles within public, private and charitable organisations and currently works within the environmental sector.

In her spare time, Jo enjoys walking and cycling. She is passionate about ensuring that the Parish is a place where people of all ages want to live and can thrive.

Register of interests for Councillor Jo McAllister 

Philip Ward

4 Nidderdale Hill View
HG3 2PA

01423 780513

philipgward1951@gmail.com

Philip moved to Darley in November 2020 from Burley in Wharfedale. He is married and has three children plus five grandchildren.

Having being recently elected as a new Parish Councillor, Philip has now taken on the roll of a Trustee of the Darley Playing Fields Association. Philip is also now a volunteer at the Nidderdale Museum in Pateley Bridge.

Prior to taking early retirement in 2013 he was a Company Director from 1979 of a freight forwarding business which was based in Yeadon.

His leisure activities include walking in and around Nidderdale, playing the tuba in Summerbridge and Dacre Band and gardening.  He also takes a great interest in the local environment and facilities within the village.

Register of interests for Councillor Philip Ward 

Andrew Robertshaw

Potters Field
Darley
HG3 2PG

awrobertshaw@sky.com

Andrew retired to Darley in 2017 after living in Harrogate for 35 years. He was a Captain in the Merchant Navy working primarily in the oil sector and travelled extensively during his career. Amongst his wide variety of responsibilities was the enforcement of health and safety and environmental protection. 

Andrew has taken up the challenge in limiting over development of Darley village and subsequent impact on the AONB. He is the Darley Parish Council’s representative on the Nidderdale Safer Neighbourhood Group. Andrew is married and has two grown up sons.

Register of interests for Councillor Andrew Robertshaw 

Martin Pearson

Parish Clerk

3a Low Lane
Darley
HG3 2QN

07541 518456

clerk@darleyparishcouncil.org.uk

Martin is a former tax specialist and is originally from Leeds. He moved to Darley from Bedfordshire with his wife Helen in 2012. He has taken on the role of Parish Clerk in order to become more involved in helping keep Darley a great place to live.
Outside of work, Martin enjoys distance running, circuit training and walking.