Councillor Steve Bridger 
Mayor 2024/2025
Steve has been a Residents’ Association Councillor since 2015 representing Stamford Ward. He has sat on many committees and chaired the Audit & Scrutiny committee for the past four years. Over his terms, he has contributed several CIL projects to benefit the local area and assist Epsom Common Association, where he has represented the council for nine years.
He has lived in the borough since 1961 and in Stamford Ward for the last 30 years. He is proud that he can help shape the future of the local area, being guided by listening to what is important to the local residents. He considers being appointed as Mayor of this fantastic Borough as the highest accolade.
Steve was born in Sutton in 1957 and attended Girton House School in Cheam before moving onto the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead. After attaining his GCE’s joined he the family business as a Fish Merchant in Billingsgate Fish Market. He married his wife, Carol, in 1980 and they had two boys, Richard and Matthew (1983 & 1986).
Richard unfortunately was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the tender age of 3 and became wheelchair-bound by the age of 11. This did not stop him though as he was determined to carry on life as much as possible as a normal person, attaining good school results and a degree. Unfortunately, with his condition there is a shortened lifespan and he passed away sadly in August 2018 at the young age of 34.
Matthew is happily married with three children and lives in Reading. They all bring great enjoyment to Carol and Steve.
The family business did not survive the financial crisis of the 80s and Steve joined Tesco in 1987. He worked there for 27 years in 8 superstores, before retiring in 2015 to help Carol who was Richards full-time carer since his diagnosis.
Steve is extremely environmentally aware and was probably one of the first people in the Borough to have thermal solar panels for hot water installed in 2002 and now has 30 solar panels on his house and garage reducing the house to a minimal carbon footprint.
Steves hobbies include electronics, computer programming, gardening, DIY and repairing anything! He is also a keen member of the Epsom Repair Café.
Steve is a Freeman of the City of London and a liveryman in the Fan Makers Company which he became a member in 2020.
Steve and Carol thought long and hard about which charities to support during the year and, due to their personal circumstances, they decided that these should be focused on disability and helping those less fortunate families within the Borough. The three charities are:
- Epsom and Ewell Puffins Club
The Epsom and Ewell Puffins Club provides recreational and sports activities for adults with learning or physical disabilities including swimming, table tennis, bowls, Boccia, badminton and New Age Kurling. They also offer social activities and outings several times a year.
- Epsom & Ewell Phab
Epsom and Ewell Phab club provides inclusive activities for young disabled and non-disabled people. Activities include sports, arts, crafts, games, drama, dance and music.
- The Ruxley Foundation
The Ruxley Foundation aims to improve the quality of life, social inclusion and social mobility of residents in Ruxley ward.
The motto for the year based on our choices is “Local Charities for Local People”
