Meet The Team

Executive committee of South West Bedfordshire Labour Party

Sam Russell

Chair

Sam Russell is Chair of the CLP. He is a railway worker who has previously worked in Local Government, including in Social Care. He is Chair of Trustees for a group of schools in Hertfordshire and is also Chair of an older people’s charity in Buckinghamshire.

Sam joined the Labour Party in 1999 and has been a candidate for Council, London Assembly and Parliamentary seats. He is committed to campaigning against cuts to services and to support the community in which he lives. He is a proud member of the TSSA and Community Trade Unions.

Abby Slough

Vice-Chair

IT Officer

Abby is currently serving as a Houghton Regis Town Councillor. She is a qualified teacher and works in a local Special Educational Needs and Disabilities school. Alongside this, Abby is a school Governor at a local Tithe Farm school. In her spare time, Abby enjoys Graphic Design work and has been able to help local organisations with this. A keen sportsperson herself, Abby believes the Town Council should promote a healthy lifestyle for all.

Mike Bishop

Vice Chair Membership Officer

Mike is a retired Highway Engineer. He has lived in Leighton Buzzard for 40 years. Both his children were educated locally.

His interests include, allotments, Chair of the local Workers Education Association. Mike is the Editor of the Labour Branchline.

Phil Crooks

Secretary

Phil, our CLP secretary, is responsible for looking after the CLP's administration and correspondence. He took over as secretary at our AGM in February 2022, having previously held the role between 2017 and 2019. A shop worker by trade, he has been an Usdaw union rep in Leighton Buzzard since 2015. Outside of politics, his passions are cooking, American football (Go Pack Go!), and video games.

Cath Howes

Treasurer

Christine Sheppard

Women's Officer

Christine has lived in Linslade, Leighton Buzzard for 8 years after many years living in inner-city East End of London.

As Women’s officer she says “It is important that young and older women unite to share our experiences and ideas for a society free of poverty, sexism, racism, ageism and all oppressions that target any of us on the basis of difference.” Christine enjoys her garden, walking, teaching listening skills, singing in a local community choir as well as campaigning on a range of local and national issues.

Pat Carberry

LGBT+ Officer

Trade Union Liaison Officer

Sally Kimondo

BAME Officer

Sally is a Senior Social worker in Children's Services. She is the founder of Luton, Dunstable and Surrounding Kenyan Community Forum. Sally believes in social inclusion and is passionate about giving back to the community by bridging cohesion between professionals and families from a community-less intrusive perspective level. Sally has lived in Dunstable for many years - she is not shy to address issues that are impacting individuals irrespective of social status, cultural differences or religion.

Abbie Cowley
Youth Officer

Abbie has lived in Dunstable her whole life with her family. As Youth Officer, Abbie is keen to increase awareness and participation among young people within the community. In her spare time, Abbie’s hobbies include baking, film and literature.

Chloe Alderman

Social Media Officer

Chloe lives locally and is a qualified secondary English teacher with experience in Mainstream and Special Education Needs schools. She is presently studying a Creative Writing Masters while self-employed as a cleaner. Chloe is a keen walker and can frequently be spotted walking her two rambunctious Spaniels. Chloe is a big believer in guiding the youth of today to become the citizens of tomorrow and hopes to help cultivate the community’s spirit within the next generation. Facilitating young people to plan and implement community improvement projects like public art and community clean-up will not only begin this process, but also nurture invaluable skills for their future.