Councillor Ken Wyatt

Born in Swinton.

My professional background has been with South Yorkshire Ambulance Service, working as an operational paramedic and in control and communications. I was awarded the services' Good Conduct and Long Service medal by the Lord Lieutenant. Recently I obtained a post-graduate certificate in Modern Governance from the University of Huddersfield. In 2011 I was appointed Director of Finance for a national association.

I was first elected to Rotherham MBC in 1985.

Outside the Council I perform a range of activities in the Criminal Justice System including non-executive Director of South Yorkshire Probation Trust; Magistrate; and Audit Committee Chair. Working with National Offender Management Service Officials and the Probation Association I chaired a National Working Group called The Specification Benchmarking and Costing Programme. I also chaired the Courts Board for the Humber and South Yorkshire from its establishment to abolition.

As a committee community activist, I am involved in a number of voluntary and community organisations in the local area including Swinton Sports and Health Group and the Area Housing Panel.

I have a strong interest in local history and heritage issues and served 7 years as a member of the Heritage Lottery Committee for Yorkshire and the Humber. I have been involved in a large number of projects which celebrate the rich local heritage of South Yorkshire. I have been the co-producer of a series of films including History of Swinton Volume I-IV which gives a comprehensive film history of the town from the earliest times to the present day. I have had many articles published on a range of subjects and I’m the author of a number of books on subjects of local interest and regular guest speaker.

Publications include:

• “A Yorkshire Undertaking” a history of one of Northern England’s oldest family funeral directors (C.T. Butterfields Ltd.) written to commemorate the 130th Anniversary of the Company.
• “The Lusitania's Musician” the story of Cunard Bandsman Ernest Dixon Drakeford who survived the sinking.
• “A Guide to St. Margaret’s Churchyard (Swinton)”.
• “Old Swinton in Pictures” more than 190 pictures with detailed captions.
• “Civic Lives: The Story of a Town Clerk and His Family”. Leading lawyer Frederick Lee Harrop played in significant role in the development of modern local government, his family made a huge contribution to the lives of people in South Yorkshire and further afield.
• “Kilnhurst Through the Ages (in Pictures)” with around 200 pictures and captions.
• 150th Anniversary of St. Thomas’ Church, Kilnhurst. 
• Swinton Pictorial.
• Major contributions to community website -

Swinton Heritage Society

I am a regular fundraiser for various local good causes and have a wide experience in project and event planning, organisation and delivery. Everything from a boxing tournament, to a beer festival to a fun day for children with autism; professional concerts; heritage projects and fairs.

Married to Helen, we have one son and daughter.

My other interests include:- Railways, Military History, Dog Walking, Real Ale, Pub Quizzes and Hobby Farming.

Should you wish to contact me I hold regular surgeries, am contactable by telephone, SMS text, email, I am also a user of twitter and facebook.

Working with you to help build communities that we can all take pride in has always been a priority for the Council.

We value the contributions that people make within their local area, through volunteering and getting involved in decision making, to really make a difference for everyone who lives there. By building on the work we've already done together we can continue to find new ways to meet the challenges facing Rotherham.

Further information regarding the Swinton Rockingham ward can be found on the Council’s website.