Today, we are pleased to present interviews with the three candidates, Caroline Bennett, Richard Mayo, and David Ravenscroft. Many of the questions were inspired by issues brought up when talking to readers or reading your letters. We asked questions to try and cut through the polished veneer of the leaflets which have been pushed through your letterbox, and to get to the issues that matter.

We thank all three of the candidates for taking the time to speak to us. We have been impressed with the way each candidate handled themselves in their interviews, and we hope that the information presented in this edition of the Ross Gazette allows you to make an informed decision on what is a difficult choice.

Caroline Bennett

Caroline is standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate for both Herefordshire Council and Ross Town Council.

Is this your first time standing in an election?

Yes. For 17 years my husband has been saying I should put my money where my mouth is and do something about my strong opinions.

Why have you decided to stand now?

I've always been interested in the things happening in the town. When Godron [Lucas] died, the Liberal Democrats were looking for a candidate and approached me because I'd been active within the Lib Dems in the last two or three years. Chris [Bartrum] has suggested it several times but because of working for the Library and me having too many other things going on I haven't. I'm a great believer in being shown a path, having to decide which way to go. I feel opportunities come your way and it's up to you to take them and make the best of them.

If you were to be unsuccessful at this election, would you consider running again in two years time?

I think I will. I've really enjoyed the political side of it far more than I ever thought I would. I've never thought of myself as being particularly political. I would be keen to stand again.

Richard Mayo

Richard is standing as the Conservative candidate for both Herefordshire Council and Ross Town Council.

Why have you decided to go into local politics?

Because I really want to see Ross do better. I was approached a year ago and asked whether I would consider it in the future and with the sad passing of Gordon Lucas it came to the fore more quickly than I might have expected. But the vacancy is there and the time is now, I have to grasp it and I'm passionate to do something good for the town.

Is being a County Councillor going to serve as a couple of years worth of free good PR for your business?

I haven't thought on that angle. I don't know if it will work in my favour or not because people will know who I am, they will come and see me and it will take up more of my time from the shop. Whether it will impact me positively, I don't know. I've got quite a high profile around the town already, the deli's won awards, I've been involved with the Christmas market, so I'm quite well known. I don't need the publicity, it's more about the town.

In your information printed the Gazette, it says "I will work to radically overhaul our street markets"...What would you do to achieve that?

Ross-on-Wye is a market town and High Streets around the country are suffering. Even since the New Year we've had five or six major retailers closing down and in town we've lost several businesses since Christmas. The High Street's changing and we need to change and adapt with it. We need to develop a niche, we need to develop a unique selling point that brings people to Ross, otherwise we will continue this slide. With the markets, it's a good way to generate extra income, extra foot fall, extra atmosphere. If we can try and replicate the success of other local markets whether it be with an antiques market, extending the plant market, and making it a real focal point.

David Ravenscroft

The two other candidates are standing in an election for the first time. What made you stand for the first time?

It was over twenty years ago, and there were a lot of local issues that I was concerned about. I think this experience will be very useful in this coming election. My experience in waste management, at Herefordshire Council, had a budget of over £10million a year. Many of the areas I?worked in were making losses when I started, but were either breaking even or making profits when I left.

You've been involved with local government for a long time, so you've seen various organisations and initiatives emerge to help change Ross for the better. What are ordinary people in Ross, who have no interest in local government or politics whatsoever, going to remember you for in the years to come?

The first year I was Mayor, in 1994, part of my project was to raise money for play areas, and putting in play equipment in Tudorville. I've been involved with the Sea Cadets, starting up the one in Ross. We've managed to build it up into a thriving organisation, there are now between 30 and 40 youngsters who attend there twice a week, and that helps a lot of the people that go there. I'm also a member of Ross Lions, and we've had a thing come before us about the Basement Youth Trust, in the Hill Street Youth Centre, they're in financial difficulties. I support them, and the Lions Club have agreed to give them £2,000 as a stop gap while they apply for long-term funding. It's important to provide young people in the town with things to do.

In your latest campaign flyer you mention providing more "leisure sports facilities". Have you got any specifics in mind?

Myself, and other Councillors, have discussed the possibility of getting more facilities in the town, possibly down by the swimming pool. If there could be an extension to the building, which young people could use, or could be used for keep-fit classes, that would be quite useful. Ideally, up at John Kyrle, it would be lovely if that had a hall up there, similar to what they've got in Monmouth, where you could have big concerts, and that could be used for various things. It would only happen with grant funding and the co-operation of the school, and I think they would be quite keen to do something with that. As a County Councillor, you have access to the grant teams and they might be able to put some applications in to fund it. There are possibilities that we can't write off as too expensive. That has happened too many times in the past and I think Ross has lost out.

For the full interviews with the candidates and full election coverage, please see this week's Ross Gazette.