IF Labour has serious ambitions to take control of Swindon Borough Council then it absolutely must hold its seat in Gorse Hill and Pinehurst.

Luckily for Labour’s prospects, the ward is a pretty solid stronghold that has voted in one of the party’s candidates at every election since the creation of Swindon Borough Council in 1997.

The ward lies right at the heart of Swindon and is one of the most heavily urbanised in the borough. It is also one of the most distinctive to see on a map, with houses in Pinehurst in particular arranged in rows radiating out from the green patch of The Circle.

There’s a distinct break between the two halves of the ward, with Gorse Hill at the southern end, just north of the railway lines bisecting the town, and Pinehurst at the northern end of the almost rectangular area.

In between comes the much-needed green spaces and woods of the Southbrook recreation grounds. To the east of the ward are some large industrial estates.

Much of the housing in the Gorse Hill area dates back to the earlier part of the twentieth century or the latter part of the Victorian era, arranged in a loose grid of terraces centred on Cricklade Road which runs in a northerly direction up from the Transfer Bridges roundabouts.

In Pinehurst the housing is more modern, dating to the middle part of the 20th century and there is a high proportion of current or former council-owned social housing.

Many of the houses around Beech Avenue were built shortly after the Second World War using prisoner of war labour.

The sitting councillor, hoping to win his sixth consecutive four-year term is Labour’s John Ballman. He is part of another husband and wife team in the council chamber.

In 2015 he took the seat handily enough, his 2169 votes were 42 per cent of the 5160 votes cast - benefitting from a strong performance by UKIP, coming third with 1013 votes and probably taking some from the Conservative candidate just 500 votes behind Coun Ballman.

Since that election, which came at the end of 18 years of national Labour governments, the party’s candidates have done better. In 2016 Mr Ballman’s wife Ray Ballman won with 55 per cent of votes cast and last year Carol Shelley won with a nearly 53 per cent.

If the Conservative Adam John can win this seat that would bode extremely well for the party’s ability to retain its grip on power in the council chamber in an election where one or two seats flipping between the major parties could make all the difference.

With Britain’s departure from the EU now probably delayed until the end of October, UKIP’s candidate Aubrey Attwater will be looking to capitalise on impatience with the main Westminster parties to do better than the third place he achieved last year. The party did not put up a candidate in the ward in 2016

The Green Party is running a candidate in the ward for the fifth local election running, but Andy Bentley will be doing well to challenge for the win, with his party’s best recent showing a third in 2016.

The Liberal Democrats have struggled in recent elections, coming last with less than five per cent of the vote in both 2016 and 2018. The party has no candidate this year.

The Candidates

Aubrey Attwater (UKIP)

“Born in 1941, I have had varied experiences - being homeless and broke, to the most rewarding appointment to representing upholstery sundries and fabrics. From school to retirement, friendships with peoples from different religions and races were created. I enjoy making new acquaintances.

“Big is not beautiful! Conglomerates unfairly dominate and the European Union provides excuses, not solutions. Decisions need to be made at the lowest level. For this to happen, you need to get involved, and have your say. This is why I am standing for Gorse Hill and Pinehurst.”

John Ballman (Labour)

“I am very proud to be a councillor for Gorse Hill and Pinehurst. I have lived in the ward for most of my life. I am married and have four children.

“As Swindon borough councillor I serve on the planning, licensing and audit committees.

“I am also a parish councillor for the same ward in North Central Parish. Recently Swindon Council decided to transfer its community assets to the parishes. I have been directly involved in these transfers ensuring that the best interest of the ward are upheld. The transfers are underway but are not complete.

“This work goes hand in hand with being a Swindon Borough councillor. I am seeking re-election to have the opportunity to complete the work I have been privileged to be part of.”

Andy Bentley (Green Party)

“I’m an IT Consultant from Pinehurst, and fought the 2017 General Election for the Green Party.

“I strongly believe that Swindon needs change. The council is one of the places where it is needed the most.

“Greens stand up for what they believe in. I am unashamedly anti-austerity and pro-Europe, and I’m not afraid to say so.

“I will fight for strong public services, for good local schools and health services, and for local businesses. I’d like to shake up the local councils, at borough and parish level, to make sure people are heard.

“Underpinning everything I do will be the passion for a fair and just society where every person is valued, cared for and listened to.

“It’s time for change. Greens make a difference.”

Adam John (Conservatives)

“I have lived in Swindon for my entire life and I am proud to call it home. I am a local parish councillor and I would like to represent the local community as a borough councillor.

“Time and time again residents complain that they never see their Labour councillors, that litter, graffiti and vandalism goes unreported.

“I am determined to make a difference for our community. I will support our local schools who are benefitting from record funding, I will tackle litter, graffiti and vandalism, I will champion local charities, community and sports groups and I will keep all residents updated with regular newsletters. I will be a strong voice who always puts local residents first.”