Ani Stafford-Townsend

Ani is a milliner and works from her hat shop in the ward’s Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, where she uses re- and up-cycled materials to make millinery more sustainable. Her work frequently appears on stage and screen, giving her a solid background in the arts. Her ability as an independent business person was recognised in the 2017 Bristol Life Awards when she won Best Creative Business.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, Ani researched, designed, and manufactured reusable face masks with integrated 3ply filter. Producing these on a not-for-profit basis meant Ani could both provide much needed reusable masks and paid work for makers whose livelihoods had disappeared overnight. Ani also set up a mutual aid group for her neighbourhood and facilitated the production of scrub caps for the NHS.

In 2015, Ani was elected Councillor for Cabot, which became Central in 2016 following a boundary review. As Councillor, Ani chaired one of the Council’s Planning Committees and served as Leader of the Green Group on Council.

During this time Ani worked on improving waste and recycling facilities for residents and businesses; pushed the Council to bring empty buildings into use for homeless people, and successfully amended the Council’s budget to reduce the cuts the Government were making to Adult Social Care.

You can also follow their Twitter, @CentralBGP and like their Facebook Page @CentralBristolGreens.