Cardiff North Liberal Democrats cover the areas of Gabalfa, Llandaff North, Heath, Rhiwbina & Pantmawr, Pontprennau & Old St. Mellons, Llanishen & Thornhill, Lisvane and Whitchurch & Tongwynlais. To contact your local Lib Dems, go to our "Contact Us" page.

Ed Bridges (Welsh Assembly spokesperson; councillor for Gabalfa ward)

Ed was born in 1982 in rural Oxfordshire, but left in 2001 to study Social Policy as an undergraduate at Cardiff University. He graduated with a first-class degree in 2004, barely a month after being elected to represent Gabalfa ward on Cardiff Council with Cllr. Cathy Pearcy (winning over 50% of the vote between them). Since then, the pair have worked hard to make Gabalfa one of the safest Lib Dem wards in Cardiff.

In August 2006, Ed was selected unopposed to fight the marginal Cardiff North seat for the Liberal Democrats. After an energetic campaign, the Lib Dem share of the vote rose.

Ed's main political interests include civil liberties, the environment and citizenship. He is particularly concerned about the impact that ID cards could have and has been extremely active in campaigning against them.

Academically, Ed is still a student at Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences. He has since earned a Master's degree in Social Science Research Methods and is now writing a PhD thesis on the social role of public libraries, funded by the Economic & Social Research Council. He also does some teaching in the department for Sociology and Social Policy modules.

Outside of work, Ed is a keen football fan (dividing his time roughly equally between his boyhood team of Oxford United and his adopted second team, Newport County). He plays football (both 5-a-side and 11-a-side) and squash most weeks, and has also recently joined a mixed netball team (much to the amusement of his colleagues). He is also a massive music fan, regularly attending gigs and festivals (his tastes are wide and varied, but he is especially fond of indie, blues and some hip-hop).

Ed is married to Sarah, an NHS administrator, and lives in Gabalfa. He hates writing about himself in the third person.

Ann Rowland-James (councillor for Llandaff North ward)

Ann was born in 1948 on the Wirrall and moved to Cardiff in 1972 to study Music as a mature student at the Welsh College of Music & Drama. After graduating, Ann became a professional soloist and music teacher.

Ann first got involved in politics in the mid-90s and first stood as a local election candidate in 1999. As a long-term resident of Llandaff North ward, she campaigned hard for the 2004 local elections on the slogan of "service not self" and was duly elected in a very tight contest. Since then, she has shown dedicated service to the people of Llandaff North ward and won a deserved reputation as a hard-working local councillor who fights hard for the people she represents.

Her political interests are widespread, but she is particularly concerned about equal rights and equal opportunities and has also been instrumental in fighting for greener and more ethical procurement within Cardiff Council. She is also extremely committed to improving facilities for young people, particularly in Mynachdy and Gabalfa Estate.

Outside of politics, "Councillor Ann" (as she is known to all) enjoys music, but is also a keen sports fan (her ping-pong skills are legendary). She lives locally with her husband, Maurice, and has a daughter, Hannah, who also lives in Llandaff North.

Michelle Michaelis (councillor for Heath ward)

Michelle has been a councillor off and on since 1991. A Cardiff native, she did a law degree at UWIST, and later did an Open University Degree in Arts. The Law degree has been of great use in her work (on various appeals committees, Public Protection and Licensing) the BA(Arts) less so.

Michelle worked in the Tate Gallery in London, before becoming an antique dealer, and then selling crafts and gifts at agricultural shows around the country. She now runs a small business with her husband, Ron. Her business career has made her frustrated with red tape, and she is also very concerned with governmental interference in everyday life, and the subsequential loss of civil liberties.

Politically, Michelle serves the Heath Electoral Division, elected on 10th June 2004, but Michelle was first elected on 2nd May 1991 to serve the Penylan Ward. Since becoming a Heath Ward councillor, she has been active in several local issues, including planning, traffic, parking and noise nuisance.

Michelle serves on the following council committees: Council Appeals Committee, Licensing Committee (of which she is Deputy Chair), Public Protection Committee (again, the Deputy Chair) and the Schools Sub Committee.

When not delivering Focus leaflets, Michelle enjoys going for long walks with her dogs. She also goes to the gym, but doesn't enjoy doing it. Hobbies include reading, and spending far too long on the Internet.

Fenella Bowden (activist in Heath & Birchgrove)

Fenella has been an active member of Cardiff North Lib Dems since the 90s and is currently the Campaigns Organiser for the constituency. She has a background of working in central government on policy development and programme management, although had to take early retirement some years ago on the grounds of disability. She has a particular political interest in childcare, disability and elderly care issues and is known to be pro-active in campaigning on planning issues which affect this part of Cardiff.

When not organising events for Cardiff North Lib Dems, Fenella has a passion for plants and gardens and can be found at any number of garden centres. She is an active member of St Andrew's Methodist church and a keen supporter of ecumenism; she is currently secretary of Whitchurch, Rhiwbina & Birchgrove Churches Together.

Fenella is married to Steve, a pharmacist and Treasurer for the constituency, and with whom she did her courting while delivering Focus in various parts of Cardiff! They have four children between them.

Gwilym Owen (activist in Heath & Birchgrove)

Born in the South of France in 1971, Gwilym grew up in the East End of London. After a stint of four years working for Shell, he worked for a number of investment banks in Canary Wharf including Credit Suisse First Boston and Morgan Stanley.

2003 gave him the opportunity to finally fulfil an ambition to study for a degree as a mature student, and with his interest in the environment, it seemed a natural choice to study for a BSc in Environmental Geoscience at Cardiff University, as well as allowing him to return to his Welsh roots at the same time.

Since completing his degree with honours, he has been working for the Public Relations and Communications department of Cardiff University.

He has been an active member of the Lib Dems in Cardiff since 2003 and was selected to fight the Heath ward in 2008. If elected, he has pledged to protect and improve Heath's vital green spaces, and to continue fighting for parents' rights to send their children to Llanishen High School (in support of his colleague Cllr. Michaelis' campaign).

Outside of politics, Gwilym's interests and hobbies include travel, films & theatre, photography and supporting the Cardiff Blues.