Who we are

We want a Marlow Town Council that is proactive and ambitious, to promote an inclusive community, and create a sustainable future. We are independent of any political party and only act in the interests of Marlow’s residents and businesses.

Cllr Emma Hawkins (South East)

I relocated to Marlow in August 2004. Initially, I worked as a room leader in a day nursery before recently qualifying as a play therapist. Concerned about the amount of litter in Marlow, I was a founding member of Marlow Wombles. Over the past six years, we have collaborated with numerous local organizations and schools, to maintain Marlow’s cleanliness and educate people of all ages about the detrimental effects of litter on the environment.

When living in Henley, I volunteered for a charity called Nomad, who supported youth and young families in various ways. I helped with various projects they ran, including detached youth work. I have a heart to see all young people empower young people to find something that helps them work the their struggles, in a loving community.

I love nature too and loved getting involved with any charity like re-leaf Marlow and going to Wild Marlow events that explore what nature we have locally. It would be great to see Marlow’s love for nature grow over the next few years.

Cllr Frank Schoofs (North & West)

A Marlow resident since 2015, I am a Chartered Engineer with children at Spinfield School, a keen gardener (including an allotment at Hanging Hill), cyclist and active community volunteer. I play a leading role in the Marlow Repair Café and I am a Trustee of Transition Town Marlow.

In 2022, I coordinated the campaign to save our rights of way in the Little Marlow Lakes Country Park, when the significance of the threat of the Marlow Film Studio project became clear. I have taken part in the Water Blitz citizen science project for several years.

I firmly believe that a strong community is the only viable way forward and a Marlow Town Council with Residents for Marlow is best placed to make that happen.

Cllr Jenny Simnett (South East)

I moved to Marlow in September 2019 to complete a PhD at Henley Business School in corporate governance. As a published poet, I was a founding member and vice-chair of the Marlow Writers’ Society and a driving force in organising the first Marlow Literary Festival in June 2023. This event included the production of The Marlow Poets Book.  In my professional life, I am an interim director with over 20 years’ experience in transforming performance in public and private organisations. I have also worked in social housing for over 7 years as a non-executive board

member.

We need a Local Plan in Marlow which has buy-in from local residents – there is no reason not to have one! Having been involved with shaping a Marlow community hub, I feel strongly about creating more engaging local activities for young people and connecting the disconnected including the elderly. As a past volunteer for national charities such as Samaritans and Relate, I would like to drive the creation of more volunteering opportunities in Marlow. I have been a foster carer in the past and have personal experience of dementia including support of unpaid carers. As a self-employed businesswoman, I want to see local businesses thrive.

Cllr Justin Whelan (North & West)

I was raised in Marlow and after many adventures in the British Isles and beyond, came back to care for my mum and for the Marlow community. A serial entrepreneur, I now sell pizzas from my boat in summer and wood stoves from my shop in winter. I deeply care about the climate and nature. I have a thing for boats and you might have spotted my wide beam barge(e) moored at Higginson Park.

Cllr Muryel Boulay (North & West)

I have been a resident of Marlow since 2004 and after spending 20 years travelling the world, have become an active member of the community. Sustainability freelancer during the day, I support the refugee cause (Marlow Refugee Action) and the rewilding movement (Pocket Wilding) after hours. You might be familiar with my beret-ed silhouette as I roam the streets of Marlow and the Thames path.

Cllr Olwen Elliott (North & West)

A Marlow resident since 1996, I have recently retired from secondary school teaching. I am actively involved in several local organisations, including as an assistant Owl with 1st Marlow Brownies (for 20 years), as a Trustee of Transition Town Marlow (regularly helping at the Marlow Market and Repair Café, and co-lead of the Active Travel group) and a committee member of The Marlow Society. As a keen cyclist, I also volunteer with Sustrans.