Andrea Spice trained as an accountant at the Royal Mail whilst living in London and chose Bedford as the place she wanted to settle and raise her family, moving here in 2001. Since being here, she has immersed herself in the community, becoming very active in school PTAs, including being an Associate School Governor for a number of years. She also thoroughly enjoyed running a playgroup on De Parys Avenue over a period of 8 years, providing a supportive environment for the parents of pre-school children. Andrea also volunteers on the management committee of the Tavistock Community Centre, which is an essential Bedford community asset. Helping to sustain services like this is very important to Andrea.
If elected, Andrea will work tirelessly to promote the safety of De Parys. We should all expect to live in a safe, clean, graffiti-free environment. Andrea will work to ensure that a fair share of resources are deployed in De Parys ward to this end.
Robin Illingworth was born in Watford, the first member of the family to grow up outside Yorkshire, and after school in Suffolk, was also the first person in the family to go to university. Married with two daughters, Robin has lived in the same home in De Parys for the past 19 years, has enjoyed helping and funding a number of businesses establish themselves.
Robin speaks a number of languages, is an associate governor at a local school, Bedford Blues season ticket holder, a keen M.C.C. member, and enjoys his daily walks with the family dog in and around De Parys.
“I am standing because I have always believed that De Parys residents and our council tax contributions are taken for granted. We need effective management of the council so we can can make a difference to the communities we serve.”
Gianni Carofano has lived in Bedford his whole life. He was born in the old North Wing hospital and grew up in Kempston. After completing a Law degree, he joined HSBC bank and was a manager there for seven years before joining the family business in 2006, which he still runs.
He has been a Bedford Borough Councillor for Newnham Ward since 2015, and sits on the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, where he has frequently questioned the council on many issues.
Gianni married Jessica in 2003 and together they have three daughters and a son. He has been heavily involved in the community for many years, having been a football coach for 20 years. He is currently an Under 11 football coach at Bedford Town FC. He is passionate about music and sings in a band, and can play the drums, guitar and piano.
Being a Councillor has given Gianni an invaluable insight into how the Council is run. He believes that, whilst it is doing many good things, it could also be doing so much more.
“I have my own ideas and vision, but that isn’t enough. I want to build a Borough based around what our residents want. As far as I’m concerned, that’s what being a Mayor is all about. That’s why we’ve been asking you what issues matter to you.
I am just like you. I walk or drive around our Borough and I see the same things that you do, things that sometimes make me despair. Which is why I decided to stand for Mayor. I want to try to resolve the issues that we all see, and build a Bedford Borough that we can all be proud of. For us, for our children and for our grandchildren. It’s time for some fresh ideas.”