Councillor Mrs Ela Lodge-Pritchard

I was born in London but my involvement with Thanet started at an early age when I was sent to a girl’s Boarding School in Birchington, and although I continued my education in both Cheltenham and London, I have very happy memories of the holidays that I had throughout my childhood in Ramsgate.  After qualifying as an Accountant and working in London, I returned to Thanet in 1973 to harbour my boat and raise my son, and I have lived here ever since.

I have always thought that to be a part of the community it is very important to show a commitment, and I have done this by being involved in local organisations.  I am at present Treasurer to the Margate Branch, Royal British Legion and Royal British Legion Festival Committee, and also the British Korean Veterans Association, Isle of Thanet Branch.  I work as a volunteer two half days a week at the Q.E.Q.M. Hospital as a  Clinic Helper – this is my way of saying thank you to the doctors and nurses at the hospital who give me vital injections every twelve weeks to enable me to see reasonably well.

I care passionately about law and order issues, and because of this I started a Neighbourhood Watch in Charlotte Square, where I lived for seventeen years until last year, and I fully expect to do the same in different areas of Salmestone Ward if that is what people want.  There are many issues in the Ward that cause concern to people, and I hope over the coming years if we all work together, we will be able to find a successful solution to most of them.

Thanet has some really beautiful houses and squares, and it is very sad when they are left to moulder and decay.  My husband and I had the pleasure of restoring a beautiful Georgian town house in Margate, and although I no longer live there it still gives me a feeling of satisfaction every time I go past it to know that I have helped to bring something of the town’s former glory back to it.

My wish as a Thanet District Councillor – to give something back to Thanet for all the good things that Thanet has given to me over many years.