Joan Ailsa Florence McFarlane Joan was born in Birmingham and educated at the Alice Ottley School in Worcester.  She is married to Ian and they have three daughters. Moving to Stratford in 1978 where they have now settled, Ian’s business career previously involved the family spending varying lengths of time living in Birmingham, Belfast, London and Glasgow. Career History: Joan, a chartered physiotherapist, is now retired from private practice having previously worked for over thirty years in the NHS, with a six year spell at Stratford-upon-Avon Hospital.

Liberal Democrat for Alveston since 2006

Community Interests:
Cllr McFarlane has always been interested in local government and gained experience in Glasgow before and at the time of local government reorganisation in 1973, one year before England.  She was an elected member for ten years and was Chairman of two standing committees.

Joan first joined Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council in 1987 where she remained representing Tiddington Ward until 1999 during which time she was privileged to become Mayor for the year 1995/1996. 

Cllr McFarlane was re-elected at the May 2006 election and returned again in 2010 representing Alveston Ward, an area of the town very familiar to her, having represented Alveston on the District Council from 1990 to 1998 and from 1999 to 2002. 

Joan serves on three Standing Committees, Town Council’s Planning Consultative Committee, Mayoral & Protocol Committee and General Purposes Committee and is also on one of the Council’s many working parties; Town Hall Maintenance.  She is the Town Council’s appointed representative to Alveston Relief in Need, Sister Cities Committee, which she chairs as well as being Deputy Chairman of Stratford-in-Bloom, the hardworking and dedicated organisation responsible for the award winning floral displays that enhance the town each year.

Past involvement saw her serving as a governor of several Stratford schools, and as a member of various committees.  She was Deputy County Commissioner of St John Ambulance Warwickshire for a number of years and is a Serving Sister in the Order of St John.

Leisure Activities:
Joan much enjoys reading, loves to garden and is a keen and active environmentalist.  She is also a member of the Stratford Society.