David Hare

Executive Member for Adult Services, Health & Wellbeing

I have lived in Earley for 45 years, having first lived here as a student at Reading University. For 35 of those years I’ve been a Liberal Democrat councillor on the Town and/or the Borough Council. 

I am leader of Earley Town Council and Executive member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing at WBC. I am also responsible at the Borough for helping work against Violence Against Women and Girls and have family experience of being abused, understanding the sometimes lifetime results of that. I am a white Ribbon (calling out male abuse against women and girls) ambassador. 

For most of my career I’ve worked for Charities with people, especially those who have a learning disability and/or autism. I love being involved in the community: I’m involved with several sporting and nature societies. We have a dog who does Pet Therapy at Austin House; every morning on our walk I litter pick as well. I am a leader at Trinity Church and am active in encouraging the Churches of Earley to work together. 

Melanie de Jong

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa during the apartheid era, and l became very politically aware from an early age, and developed very liberal ideas from talking with various friends who felt the same. As a young adult l managed to travel extensively overseas and this opened my eyes to how people lived in other countries.

AFter meeting my husband, we emigrated to the UK. In 2000 and having 3 children, we moved into Lower Earley and have lived here ever since. All our children went to local primary and secondary schools. I then became very involved with local politics and served on Earley Town Council from 2011 until 2019, also being elected Town Mayor in 2015.

We love living in Lower Earley and enjoy all that it offers. I would now like to contribute to keeping our wonderful town clean, green and environmentally friendly. I am passionate about providing youth  services and creating a safe environment for our young people. I will dedicate all my time to serving all residents of our wonderful town and look very much forward to meeting and speaking with as many of you as possible.