Get to know your
Reform UK Councillor, Maria Bowtell

It all started in 1990, you could say 1989 when my parents got married but let us not dwell on that. I was born in Bridlington and enjoyed many summers and winters growing up on New Pasture Lane, I spent my teen years on either northside or southside beach with my friends after school and didn't do too badly academically although the Combined Cadet Force was the main motivation to attend school for me. I loved every moment of camps and learning drills, sailing, shooting, flying, and even went on a run occasionally, not that you'd see me running these days. What I am trying to get at is, that I grew up here, I stayed out late and I made the most of our beautiful coastline swimming in the sea and eating doughnuts when I wasn't working a summer job making them down on our working harbour.

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Having moved away in my 20s for my career aspirations I worked hard on my professional skills in various roles. I also have the most wonderful CV gap due to having my Son in 2012 and watching the Olympics with him asleep on my chest was a highlight year for me. After a stint in management, I found a passion for project management, I worked full time and studied Prince 2 Practitioner course along with other useful process and people management courses. I moved around England over a 10 year period including a stint in Essex, and all I can say about that is South End has nothing on Bridlington!

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I moved back to Bridlington at the end of 2020, having missed my family so much. Covid19 restrictions stopping me from travelling home sooner only compounded my desire to be back by the sea and surrounded by friendly East Yorkshire folk. 

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It was a busy time after moving back to Bridlington, I started working locally up at Carnaby for incredibly supportive and flexible employers in the Crab and Lobster industry. In recent months I have become more aware of my family history as my mum's maiden name Jewitt is featured on the Gansey Girl statue situated on the Harbour. My name Bowtell is lesser known but goes back generations in Bridlington too.

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Moving back to Bridlington coincided with me going back to Church. Through a love of worship music and many years of my younger life spent at Christ Church, when I moved back it felt like coming home in a spiritual way which is hard to explain if you've not 'felt' God's presence before. I attend and help where I can at Emmanuel Church on Southside and I couldn't be more thankful for the people God has put in my life to support and encourage me. They have enabled me to become the a Ward Councillor for Bridlington.

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Please take some time to explore this site and I hope you know who you'll be voting for and representing you a little better now. I am here to listen to your story and hear what you need for an improved lifestyle in this beautiful county full of kind and inspiring people. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or ideas on how we can heal and grow this incredible part of the world we call home.