Cllr June Turner

I grew up in Walsden and left at 18 to go to university. My parents, sisters and brother remained in the town and I have visited very regularly over the years with my own family. I have always been a keen walker and when living in Essex for many years, I really missed the hills. I moved back to Todmorden 10 years ago and very much enjoy living here again. 

My career was in local government, predominantly in Essex, where I was a senior manager for Essex County Council Libraries. I was responsible for the development and delivery of a very successful annual Essex Book Festival and I used that experience to ensure the success of the Todmorden Book Festival, from its commencement in 2018 to the 2020 Festival.

I have been a volunteer at Todmorden Food Drop-In since it was first established in 2013 and am now a Trustee. I am also a Trustee of Todmorden Emergency Support which administers money from the Abraham Ormerod Charity and War Memorial Fund for the benefit of people in need in the town.

I have always had a strong interest in the history of the town and have been a volunteer guide at Todmorden Town Hall since 2015, researching the history and developing and delivering tours. My latest research was on the ways that Fielden Brothers profited from slavery. My article on the subject has been published in North West History Journal.