Two Long-serving Putney Councillors Bid Farewell
Rosemary Torrington and Mike Ryder represented local ward for a total of 27 years
Rosemary Torrington being presented with flowers by her party’s two new candidates
Two long-serving Putney councillors have been presented with flowers tokens of appreciation this week prior to standing down ahead of next month’s local elections
Cllr Rosemary Torrington and Cllr Mike Ryder have served as councillors for Thamesfield Ward since they were first elected in 2006 and 2011 respectively, giving them a combined total of 27 years of service. At the last election in 2018 both councillors were elected with over half the votes cast.
Cllr Torrington said, “It’s been a real honour to represent Thamesfield and I’m proud to have worked with residents over the last 16 years on a whole range of issues. Whether it’s been working to secure river transport, improved public realm on the High Street, more EV charging points or the new lighting on Putney Bridge, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.
“And while I’ll miss the role, I am so pleased that I am able to leave the ward in such safe hands with John, Ethan and James. I am sure that they will be excellent councillors.”
Cllr Ryder said, “I’ve really enjoyed working to represent Thamesfield residents on Wandsworth Council over the last ten years but I’m now looking forward to spending some more time with my grandchildren.
“There’s lots of work to do as a councillor, but whether it’s securing the resurfacing of Brewhouse Lane by the river, or the new crossings on Lower Richmond Road, to new lighting on Smugglers’ Way for residents in Wandsworth Riverside Quarter, Ethan, James and John are already delivering improvements on behalf of Putney residents. I wish them all the best.”
James Jeffreys and Ethan Brooks with Mike Ryder
Ethan Brooks and James Jeffreys have been selected to replace them along with current councillor John Locker.
They said, “We are really honoured to have been selected as candidates for Thamesfield and we know that we have big shoes to fill should we succeed in the upcoming local election. Rosemary and Mike have worked really hard for residents over the years and we’re determined to carry on delivering for the local community.”
Ethan Brooks is a sales director for a tech start-up delivering a navigation app for blind people across cities around the world and a former BBC Studios and Royal Society for Blind Children project manager. He lives near Wandsworth Park with his partner.
James Jeffreys has lived in Putney’s Riverside Quarter with his young family for the last six years. He works in the restructuring and insolvency sector.
The ward is one of the safest ones current held by the Conservatives who face a tough contest to hang onto control of Wandsworth Council.
List of candidates standing in Thamesfield Ward
| Candidate | Party |
| BARTON-SINGER Gabriel Byng | Liberal Democrats |
| BENTON Paul Hans | Liberal Democrats |
| BROOKS Ethan Kane Foster | Conservative |
| GIBBONS Stephen | Labour Party |
| GRUBB Becky | Liberal Democrats |
| JEFFREYS James Eric | Conservative |
| KILLICK Emma | Josephine Green Party |
| LOCKE Chris | Labour Party |
| LOCKER John | Conservatives |
| MCCANN Diana Mary | Green Party |
| ROBINSON Amanda Gwendolen Diana | Labour Party |
| STANIASZEK Penny Bianca | Green Party |
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April 8, 2022