Following the launch of our new 'Village People' series. Here's our second interview.
During the series the intention is to feature local people from a variety of backgrounds and different occupations. If you would like to feature in the 'Village People' series or suggest someone who would make a good candidate then please email me.
Full name: Marc Asquith
Age: 55
Occupation: Barrister
Marriage status: newly living in sin
Any children: 8 year old stepdaughter - Maria
How long have you lived in Alderley Edge? About 35 years.
Where did you move from and why? Our family home moved from Wilmslow.
What do you most like about living in Alderley Edge?
Alderley is big enough to have lots of amenities and yet small enough to have a village spirit and atmosphere. From home I can walk to the supermarkets, bars and most important to the school.
What changes or improvements would you like to see in Alderley Edge?
A multi-story car park in a hidden corner somewhere close to the village center with very low cost parking.
What have been the biggest changes to Alderley Edge since you have lived here?
There are two, one of which, as the former County Councillor, I can claim credit / take the blame for. The Bypass took 30 years to bring to life and I was responsible for taking it from design, through the planning process and onto the first year of construction. The second big change is the development of the cafe society in the village. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.
What do you miss about the village that has since gone? The Mandarin and HSBC.
If there is one thing about Alderley Edge you could eliminate what would it be?
There are two groups of people I would be pleased to see depart - the fur coat and no knickers brigade and the chavs who view Alderley as some sort of night club hot spot for their Friday and Saturday nights out - and occasional Hen nights.
Describe Alderley Edge in three words? safe, friendly, home.
What is your favourite way to spend a day out and about in Alderley Edge or the surrounding area?
I love the easy access to the Peak District where I get to hang glide and paraglide whenever the weather is suitable and time allows.
What are the main myths about Alderley Edge? That we are a bunch of rich toffs.
Are you a member of any clubs or associations based in the village?
No. My only remaining village activity is that I remain a school governor at Alderley Edge Community Primary School.
Please tell me about your time as a councillor. What roles you held and when? Why did you decide to step down?
I served for around 10 years, first on Cheshire County Council and latterly on Cheshire East Council. Unless you serve as a Councillor it's very hard to appreciate the stress of boundary changes. We had two sets of boundary changes in 4 years at the end of my time in office - so I just dumped the stress and got back on with earning a living. I felt that my one big achievement was the Bypass - so long as construction had started on that, there was no way Cheshire East could pull out of it.
If you didn't live in Alderley Edge where would you want to move to?
There are lots of bits of Wales that I love. The bottom end of Snowdonia has been a second home for 20 years and the Gower peninsula in South West Wales.
