TWO new councillors were co-opted into Dunmow Town Council last week after the seats failed to be filled at the recent elections. Philip Milne, 67, and Ron Clover, 75, were chosen from six people who wrote in to declare an interest in standing for the vac

TWO new councillors were co-opted into Dunmow Town Council last week after the seats failed to be filled at the recent elections.

Philip Milne, 67, and Ron Clover, 75, were chosen from six people who wrote in to declare an interest in standing for the vacant positions.

Cllr Milne is now a councillor for the Dunmow North Ward. He is already well known throughout the town from his work with several organisations including being past president of Rotary Club of Dunmow, an elder at United Reform Church and is the current chairman of the Dunmow Stroke Club.

"I'd never thought about standing for the town council until someone suggested I should write in after the announcement was made in The Dunmow Broadcast," said Cllr Milne.

"The conservation of the town is an important issue for me and I'm now looking forward to the challenges that being a councillor bring.

"I am already involved with several community organisations and I like to think that the experience I have gained in these will serve me well in my role as a councillor."

Cllr Milne has lived in Dunmow for 11 years. He joined the Metropolitan Police as an officer in 1960, working at several police stations including Cannon Row Police Station at Westminster and Scotland Yard.

After retiring in 1990, he worked in Hatfield Broad Oak as a manager at RJL Seeds until 1997 when he suffered a stroke and took early retirement.

Ron Clover is currently a district councillor representing Dunmow North in Uttlesford District Council. He now represents the Dunmow South Ward on the town council.

The keen golfer moved to Dunmow in 2001 and immediately threw himself into becoming involved with the community by becoming a founder member and treasurer of Woodlands Area Golfing Society. He is also a member of Dunmow Carnival committee.

"Throughout my life I have always been socially aware and have always sought to get involved in local activities," he said. "By some natural in-built trait, it would seem that I always end up on some committee or other."

Cllr Clover said he is very keen on the environment and his background of working as a self employed engineering consultant has left him disposed to planning issues. "I'm keen to see Dunmow's character preserved and that developments should be in keeping with the town's character," he said.

Both men signed the Register of Acceptance of Office at the Town Council offices in Foakes House on Friday. Their first town council meeting will take place at Foakes Hall on July 19 when the election of committees will take place.