Draft:James Townley (politician)

James Townley is a candidate for the Reform UK party in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency for the upcoming general election. His concerns for the community include addressing the slow response to local needs, a sentiment that is echoed by the party's focus on common sense policies regarding immigration, the cost of living, energy, and national sovereignty.

Townley's educational background includes a specialisation in Landscape Design & Construction from Myerscough College, which provides a foundation for a successful groundworks and Landscaping company. His professional endeavors extended into aviation, where he learned to fly helicopters at Blackpool Airport and subsequently established a charter business.

Now, as a Reform UK candidate, Townley aims to use his varied experiences to represent and advocate for the needs and interests of the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency. His connection to the area is not only professional but also personal, with deep family roots in Cumbria that date back generations, as evidenced by the historical presence of the Towneley or Townley family.

The Townley family has a significant presence in the history of the Lancashire region, particularly connected to Towneley Hall in Burnley. The Towneley or Townley family has roots that trace back to Anglo-Saxon England, and Towneley Hall has been the ancestral home of the family for centuries (Wikipedia). The family's association with the estate at Town Head, near Newby Bridge, connected to Charles Townley, the fine-art dealer who sold the estate in 2021, who states that the Town Head estate was purchased as a hunting lodge in 1804 (Country Life).

Town Head estate remained in the Townley family until recently. The land was reportedly bought as a hunting lodge by William Townley, a high sheriff of Lancashire, in the 1890s, and the family has been associated with this estate for a significant period, marking an era of over 200 years (The Telegraph).

Connections to Burnley Towneley Hall, the family's history is intertwined with the hall, which was the home of the Towneley family for over 600 years. Charles Towneley, Richard Towneley, and Francis Towneley are noted as notable family members who have had a significant impact on the hall's legacy (Historic Houses). Towneley Hall now serves as a historic house, art gallery, and museum, located in 400 acres of beautiful parkland, and provides insight into the history of Burnley and the Towneley family's contributions (Towneley Hall).

Townley has expressed concerns about the community's slow response to local needs and has decided to stand as the Reform Party's candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale (CW Gazette).