1 March 2014

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

JOHN Dabell won last month’s by-election for the Town Ward for the Conservatives, describing himself as  “not a professional politician, just someone who loves his country and his town, and is keen to be of service to both”.

“I have lived in East Grinstead for 23 years and I regard our lovely town very much as ‘home’,” said John,  a former Royal Navy flyer, who subsequently worked for over 30 years in the food business, finishing his career at Nestle.

A committed Christian and member of St John’s church in Felbridge, John has a 34-year-old daughter Jenny, who teaches at Halsford Park school.

His son 26-year-old Adam died from an undiagnosed heart condition while playing five-a-side football in 2004, which resulted in the setting up of an annual Memorial match between the town’s two 6th Forms,  which have become a well known event.

After retiring, John was encouraged by his daughter to begin a very rewarding ‘second career’ as a study supervisor at Imberhorne School, where he is also actively involved with the careers programme, a job he loves.

“I had had a long involvement with young people through youth and church groups and Jenny said to me that I’d love it – and she was right.”

He is also a governor at the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, and at Felbridge Primary.

“In my opinion, a good councillor is a good listener first and that is what I intend to be. My chief concern for our town is to see the best of East Grinstead conserved, and new opportunities created for local residents.”