About me: Councillor Francis Whetstone

I was elected councillor for Forest Row in 1997, having moved to Sussex in 1969.

I feel one of the key roles of a councillor is reminding the rest of the county that not all the county faces south to the sea.

But how did I get here?

I have been involved in politics since 1955 when I helped a friend of my father who was standing in the safe Labour seat of Hackney central.

I am seldom if ever inspired but decided to stand for the county council out of curiosity.

As a councillor, I like to think that, in one or two cases, I have been able to help residents to get a more satisfactory outcome to their problem than they might otherwise have achieved.

My community

The division which I represent is not my community. Given its size, it is not a community and it would be most arrogant of me to consider it to be mine. There is satisfaction in being able to help a resident.

My home life

I am married.

I am a retired former employee of a Lloyds Underwriting Syndicate writing fire insurance in the Room at Lloyds.

My spare time

I keep myself busy by working in the garden and on the farm.