Tories take control of Shire Hall (From Stroud News and Journal)

Tories take control of Shire Hall

WOULD-BE councillors were "thrilled", "delighted", "disappointed" and "not surprised" at the 2005 county council elections on Friday, May 6.

With raucous applause, spectacular outfits and seemingly endless lists of people to thank, all the winners needed was a red carpet on which to parade their new found glory at Stratford Park Leisure Centre.

Like the Oscars, there were few surprises in the Stroud District.

All of those who were defending their 2001 seats this year were re-elected, however, the overall picture was a different story, with the Conservatives taking control of Gloucestershire County Council for the first time in 20 years.

The Green party was notable by its absence, with only one candidate standing in the county elections - Carol Kambites, lost the fight for the Stroud East seat to Labour newcomer Brian Oosthuysen.

Green councillor John Marjoram said because of the costs of fighting an election the party preferred to concentrate its resources on the general election, where more was at stake.

Cllr Marjoram added: "We have got great strength in Chalford, Rodborough, Nailsworth, Thrupp and Stroud, but outside there we haven't got as much support."

Gloucestershire County Council election results, Stroud District

CHALFORD Elected *FELLOWS, Charles (Chas)(Con) ............2318 Not elected FREEMAN, John (Lib Dem) ............... 1419 READ, Andrew Craig (Lab) ...........1187

NAILSWORTH AND MINCHINHAMPTON Elected *WADDINGTON, John Stanley (Con) ......2457 Not elected APPLETON, John Leslie (Lab) ............. 1748 BOWEN, John Benedict (Lib Dem)...... 1364 HAMBLYN, Aaron Maxwell (Ind) ......... 272

NORTH STROUD Elected *TOMLINS, David Leonard (Con) ..........1910 Not elected FRITH, Colin Ernest (Lib Dem) .......... 898 STEPHENS, Kenneth David (Lab) ..........1627

RODBOROUGH Elected *GLANFIELD, Stephen George (Con) .....2076 Not elected ROBINSON, Myles Patrick (Lib Dem) ...1306 SMITH, Audrey June (Lab) ..........................1914

STONEHOUSE Elected *WILLIAMS, Lesley (Lab) ..............2353 Not elected BEVAN, Philip Charles (Con) .......1578 OWEN, Ian Gavin (lib Dem) ....... 795

STROUD EAST Elected *OOSTHUYSEN, Brian Charles (lab) .....1852 Not elected KAMBITES, Carol ........1428 LLOYD JONES, Graham (Lib Dem) ............695 WYTHE, Jennifer (Con) ..........1312

STROUD WEST Elected *RUTTER, Maureen (Lab) ..........2176 Not elected FISK, Andrew Bruce (Lib Dem) .......1065 WILLIAMS, Michael (Con) ....1419

UPTON ST LEONARDS, BISLEY AND PAINSWICK Elected *NASH, Joan (Con) .......2806 Not elected PARKER, Terence (Lib Dem) .........1806 WILLIAMS, Thomas (Lab) ....890

QUEDGELEY Elected *HALL, Jacqueline (Jackie) (Con) .....3407 HANMAN, Nigel (Con) ...............3104 Not elected HAIGM Katherine (Lab) ............2931 MILLS, Gary (Lab) .........2517 POWELL,Julian (Lib Dem) ..... 1822 WHITTAKER, Jonathan (Lib Dem) ...1102