I was a chorister at Exeter Cathedral and married Dorothy Ann Wreford there in December 1958.

I played rugby and cricket for Exeter.  Served apprentice as an operative mason-bricklayer with City and Guilds and HNC qualifications.

I moved to London in 1960 to study to be an opera singer at Covent Garden Opera School.  Worked as a bricklayer to fund private singing lessons with Joseph Hislop, who had been an International Tenor between the wars.  In 1963 I was awarded a scholarship to study at La Scala Milan, whilst there I won the International Verdi Award to study and sing with the La Fenice Opera Co. in Venice.  On returning to London I became principal Italian tenor with Sadlers Wells Opera Co.  In 1965 I was awarded the commonwealth Medal for outstanding performances in International music, and in 1978 I was honoured to sing to the Queen and the Royal family.

In 1974 I set up Pilley Construction Ltd, building social housing throughout the South East (Opera singers eventually have to retire! Many have noting to go back to. I did not want this to happen to me.) I continued to sing both on the opera stage and concerts until 2000.

In 1993 I became president of the Federation of Builders – specialist contractors.  I retired in 2012 and moved to Neston in 2013.

I am a member of the P.C.C. of St Mary & St Helen, Neston Cricket Club, Caldy Rugby Club and The Retired Ladies and Gentlemens Club who meet at Prenton Golf Club.

I feel with my varied background and with the help of my wife I could be a useful member of the Neston Community.  I will do my utmost to be a hardworking member of the Council and to uphold its high standards.

Having lived in Neston for the majority of my life I am keen to become more involved in our community and contribute to its continual growth and expansion. During my time in Neston I attended Wirral Grammar School for Girls which lead to continuing to further education. My only time living outside of Neston has been when I attended the University of Manchester to attain a Bachelor’s of Science and further a Master’s of Science. Since then I’ve joined with two other fabulous women to become a Director of a limited business working to engage the public in their health and social care and bring new innovations and technology to healthcare.

Outside of work you’ll either find me caring for my 92-year-old inspirational Grandmother, exercising with my two fabulous German Shorthaired Pointer dogs or standing on the side lines of Wirral Rugby Club watching a good game of rugby.

I am keen and passionate to give anything I can back to my community and improve it for all our generations.

As a relatively new resident of Neston, I was keen to understand more about the area and its issues, and therefore became involved in helping to develop the neighbourhood plan. From that, I grew an interest in local developments and decided to take up a role as Town Councillor to enable me to do more.
I have a long history of work with local councils, having qualified as an accountant with Cheshire County Council, where I operated as a senior financial adviser for many public services. I was subsequently appointed as the Head of Corporate Improvement at Cheshire East Council, where I lead a radical piece of work to enable town and parish councils to deliver better services for themselves.
In 2011, I decided to work for myself as a financial adviser to schools and other public bodies. I am also a school Governor and belong to the Cheshire Governor Forum Executive.
In my short time in Neston I have been genuinely impressed with the diversity and friendliness of people who live and work here, and the true community spirit that exists. I hope to be able to contribute to that and bring my knowledge of local services and schools to enhance the effectiveness of the Council.

Born in Heswall at the Children’s Hospital, I have lived in the Neston area for most of my life, (with a brief spell in South Africa from 1980 – 1982), for the last 6 years in Parkgate, where I live with my wife, Cheryl.

I served as Mayor of Neston 2011/2012 having been a Neston Town Councillor since its inauguration in June 2009 and also serve on the Society and Culture and Finance and Town Centre Committees.

My background is in Mechanical Engineering, with 30 years experience working for many Blue Chip companies throughout the Northwest and nationally. I now work as an Area Sales Manager for Effective Air Solutions Ltd who specialise in the manufacture, supply and installation of Close Control and Comfort Air Conditioning products.

My ambitions as a Parkgate Councillor are:-

• Continuing our fight against the mosquitoes.
• Making a concerted effort to sort out the parking issues which blight the promenade area.
• Getting a facelift for Mostyn Square.
• Pressing ahead with working group plans to construct purpose-built viewing platforms for Bird Watchers at Parkgate.
• Bringing Christmas Lights to Parkgate.
• Take the lead in any project which may be of benefit to the local community.

I was born in Hertford, Hertfordshire, but after taking a degree in Physics I have spent most of my life as a professional astronomer. I worked at telescopes in Australia, where I met my wife and after that in the Canary Islands. In 1998 we moved to Parkgate, I had taken a position with Liverpool John Moores University who were building their own telescope in the Canaries. I seemed to spend most of the next few years in airports, waiting for flights. Our three sons were all educated at Neston High School. I am also Property Steward at Neston Methodist Church, and a volunteer at the Neston CyberCentre. My sons and I were keen cricketers at Neston Cricket Club, and I still enjoy watching the games. I took early retirement from LJMU in 2012, although I am back working part time, one day per week until the end of 2013, when I will become an Emeritus Professor and Leverhulme Emeritus Fellow, when I will get back to research in astrophysics.

As one of the councillors for Parkgate Ward, I aim to represent the residents of Parkgate on the Neston Town Council.

I would be pleased to hear your view as to how the Town Council might better serve Parkgate, please contact me by phone, email, or in person.

I have lived in the Neston area all my life, having been born in Parkgate, and moved to Little Neston when I married my husband, Robert.
I worked in the TSB Bank when it was still a saving bank, and saw the changes as it became a full bank offering all the services associated with that. After 20 years I became disenchanted with the direction we were going and left to set up my own company in 1992. I started offering small conference planning and have since moved into group leisure tours for organisations and social groups in the Cheshire area.

In my spare time I am involved in the WEA (Workers Educational Association) and have been active in their Governance structure for 15 years.

I also enjoy walking with a regular group, reading (particularly history) and DIY.