Whickham North and Swalwell - Gateshead Liberal Democrats

Councillor Chris Ord (Deputy Leader)

Phone: 01914882545 / 07594645999

I became Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat group in 2023, and was first elected to Gateshead Council in 1992 at the age of 24. Since then I have been re-elected eight times and I am the longest-serving councillor on record in the ward.

I have lived in the area since 1983 and as well as my council duties I am active in many local community groups. I am a trustee of the Swalwell Community Centre and the Whickham Volunteer Library Association, where I served as Treasurer from 2017 to 2023. I founded and run the Swalwell Community Group, which raises funds for the annual Christmas tree, and I am a member of Planting Up Whickham and Lighting Up Whickham.

I have been a member of The Rotary Club of Whickham since 1992, and in 2016 Rotary International awarded me a Paul Harris Award — a rarely given award which recognises individuals who have done Significant Community Service.

Councillor Peter Craig BEM

Phone: 0191 488 0787 / 0191 433 2074

Email: cllr.ptcraig@gateshead.gov.uk

I was first elected in 2004 and have since been re-elected five times. I attended Whickham Parochial School and Whickham Comprehensive, going on to graduate from the University of Sunderland with a degree in Applied Biology.

I have set up and run several community groups including Planting Up Whickham and Lighting Up Whickham, and I am a trustee of Swalwell Community Centre and Whickham Volunteer Library Association. Since 2005 I have coordinated the annual Whickham Remembrance event. I was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list of 2020 for my services to the community.

Professionally I am a Senior Manager for a global pharmaceutical company. I also enjoy photography, spending time with my grandchildren and organising events with my wife Susan, along with hiking and playing walking football with the Whickham Strollers to keep fit.

Councillor Sonya Hawkins

Phone: 0191 422 2206 / 0191 433 2074

Email: cllr.shawkins@gateshead.gov.uk

In addition to my work on the council I am the Chair of the Lighting Up Whickham volunteer group which organises the Christmas tree for the residents of Whickham each year. I am also a Trustee for the Swalwell Community Centre.

I am happy to help anybody and I like nothing more than fighting for the needs of the residents of not just Whickham but the wider community. I am particularly concerned with Housing Repair issues.