Karen Overbury

Karen was co-opted to Ponteland Town Council following a vacancy after the 2017 by-election.

Karen worked as a journalist for 40 years, with her last job including editorship of The Journal homemaker in Newcastle, developing an interest in property and housing.  She believes that her long experience as a journalist, including many years as a property writer, helps her to understand some of the complexities of the work of Town Council, especially in relation to planning and housing. She appreciates the need for the village to move forward but is concerned that changes are for the benefit of the existing community and for the long-term.

She moved to Ponteland with her late husband Kevin in 1987. They loved the village and surrounding areas so much they realised they could not imagine living anywhere else and decided to stay put.  Their two children were brought up here and Karen and Kevin enjoyed many aspects of village life, both involving themselves with the local schools, joining PTAs and governing bodies.

As her children grew, Karen took her voluntary work in other directions and she has been a magistrate for 20 years and an ambassador and fundraiser for St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle for 10 years.

Since becoming a Councillor, she has taken a particular interest in Remembrance Day planning and events and activities to help Ponteland to remember the dead of the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. She welcomes feedback and ideas.

Karen enjoys walking, is a dog owner and keen gardener and is keen to help preserve the friendly feel of Ponteland and to preserve its green spaces and parks, plus its charm, character and rural qualities. As a parent and a grandparent, she is passionate about the quality of education plus facilities for all ages. She says she feels privileged to be helping the community in the role of Councillor.

Karen Overbury Declaration of Interest

Contact:
Telephone: 01661 825092
Email: k.overbury@ponteland-tc.gov.uk