Councillors and Staff

Cllr Margaret McDonald

Councillor

Register of interests
See roles and responsibilities

I have lived for over thirty years in Swallowfield and my two sons went to Farley Hill School where I was chair of the PTA. While I was a working mum I was a founder member of the Russell Players. I joined the Parish Council in the autumn of 2007 before I subsequently retired from my position as Assistant Head at Reading Boys’ School.

I am delighted to be able at last to work closely with and on behalf of, neighbours, friends and parishioners. I am passionately interested in preserving the rural status and community spirit of the parish. As one of the unfortunates who were flooded in the summer of 2007 I have had full experience of the support a close-knit community can bring. As secretary of the Flood Resilience Group, a working party set up by the Parish Council, I am doing all I can to work with the Environmental Agency and Wokingham Borough Council to reduce the chances of this happening again.

My other main interests on the Parish Council are the preservation of our environment and maintaining our village halls .I took over as chair of the parish council on the retirement on Mike Goldsmith and retired from this post in 2013. I am lead councillor with responsibility for Swallowfield Parish Hall and am on the committee of Riseley Village Tea Room where you will often find me in the afternoons! I want to make our halls the focus of our village life and I am so pleased that many of you have come forward to take part in supporting the Parish Council on this.

We have a very special community and we need to celebrate this, make more use of the facilities we have already and develop our friendships even more. I hope there will be many opportunities over the coming years for us all to enjoy social activities together.

As you know, I am always available and concerned to hear about local issues. Please contact me via the Parish Clerk.