THE father and daughter team of Edwin and Gemma Dinsdale became councillors only just over two years ago but both have left their mark.

Working together and jointly they have campaigned for Corkickle and for the wider Whitehaven and Copeland community.

During the first lockdown, when businesses were struggling, Gemma came up with the idea of a small business directory, Businesses could advertise their ware, tell customers when they would open or organise deliveries.

Proud Edwin said his daughter ended up with around 3,000 followers and was told by several businesses that they cold have closed without her.

He has had more than 20 years of representing other people as the full-time representative and, eventually, president of Unison at Sellafield.

He has lobbied in Westminster and Brussels on a variety of matters including nuclear waste management.

Gemma had planned on a career in the media but turned down prospects to work at Sellafield where she is now Youth Officer for the GMB.

The pair joined the Whitehaven Town Council together, but Gemma, at only 22, also became a Copeland councillor.

They are fierce Labour members which has at time put Edwin, especially, at odds with fellow councillor.

Away from the council chambers, however, they work tirelessly to make life better for the people of Corkickle.

They have both campaigned about the lacks of weed spraying and grass cutting in their ward and this has now started.

In recent months, though, they have been particularly concerned about broken flagstones and vandalism at the start of a popular Coast to Coast route: “We have B&Bs and hotels relying on the business this route generates. We need to make people want to return here.”

The next important item is getting a bus shelter for children who are wet before they get to school.

He may have campaigned on an international stage but for Edwin and his daughter, it is Corkickle that comes first.