To say Uppingham Town Council now has some fresh young blood is perhaps something of an understatement.

To say the town last Thursday saw a by-election victory more decisive and sensational than what the Tories delivered in Hartlepool last week may also be an understatement.

And it was all delivered by a local lad thanks to the massive support he has in the community.

Tom Johnson, 26, now joins Uppingham Town Council as one of its 15 members and as expected, he will certainly be its youngest member.

But whilst he has youth, Tom offers experience of a different kind and he is certainly not short of an idea or two.

Tom was born in Kettering General Hospital on November 13 1994 and raised in Uppingham. Both his parents grew up in the town and his grandfather, Alan Johnson was a greengrocer in the town until the late 1980s and he also served on the town council.

Tom started school at Leighfield Primary before attending Uppingham Community College. There, he auditioned for a place at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and was accepted from more than 500 applicants to take their two-week intensive course and join their membership, whose alumni include the likes of Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis and Matt Lucas.

Tom said: "From there, I received a scholarship to attend Stamford Boys School where I spent my final two years in education completing my A-Levels - my main three subjects being History, Politics and Theatre Studies.

"I was unsure of my next move and whether I wanted to pursue a career in the arts or continue further education in History and Politics. However, due to the sudden loss of two close relatives during the time I was taking my A-levels, I took a totally unforeseen interest in the Funeral Industry and this ultimately was to become my vocation."

On leaving school, Tom began working full time for E. M. Dorman Funeral Directors in Uppingham.

Tom continued: "Having already done some part-time work there following the sudden loss of my two grandfathers just weeks apart, I was offered a full time position/apprenticeship by Mr Edward (Eddie) Dorman, proprietor of the business.

"Having learnt a great deal from Eddie who was already well respected in the local community as a funeral director having taken on the business from Mr E Toon, I furthered by education by studying with the Independent Funeral Directors College and gained a Certificate in Funeral Practices (Cert.F.P.). "

Tom has now been employed with the independent family business for nine years.

"In the 9 years I have served the local community, as a funeral director I have had the opportunity to meet and support a range of families and have gained an even greater love for our community and the people within it.

"It is a very special service we provide in a very special county. I have been asked on numerous occasions to provide talks to local villages or societies on matters around end of life care, to educate and remove the stigma associated with dying.

As part of this, Tom has also become recently been involved with "Dying Matter Rutland", a new initiative dedicated to improving end of life experiences for people in Rutland, their families and loved ones, led by Dr Sarah Furness, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland.

"I hope to be able to continue to assist the local community in this for years to come."

Aside from his professional career, another great passion in Tom's life is Theatre and the Arts, finding it a much needed "outlet" from his professional life.

Tom said: "Having been a member for some years, I currently hold the position of Chairman of the Rutland Musical Theatre society and have also directed some of their most recent productions.

"With the help of a wonderful committee, we have just steered the society through the most challenging year in the Company's history as the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

"I also serve as an elected Board Member of the Stamford Shakespeare Company at the Rutland Open Air Theatre, who equally have just faced one of their most challenging years due to the pandemic.

"I also perform with various other local groups including the Stamford Shoestring and will be appearing in their July production of 'London Assurance' at the Stamford Arts Centre.

"When I am not rehearing, performing or directing I enjoy seeing friends, keeping fit at the local gym and have an interest in plants and the local environment."

Then, last summer, the long-standing and much respected former Uppingham Mayor Alec Crombie announced his retirement as a town councillor. The 78-year-old was a popular figure and earnt an MBE for his activities, which in 2018 had seen him carry out a charity walk around Uppingham to fundraise for its hopper bus despite being totally blind.

Tom recalled: "At first I wasn't sure I would be an appropriate candidate, thinking I was perhaps a little to young for a role on the Town Council! Would I be taken seriously? Would people feel confident voting for a younger councillor? All questions I gave thought to!

"But I had thought that one day I would like to engage further with the local community and give back to the town that I hold so dear, and after some words of encouragement from friends and colleagues, decided to give it a go and stand for election."

Tom is passionate about local and global environmental issues and how we can live more sustainably.

He also told Nub News: "I believe careful consideration should be given to things like developments and where they go. If a green space is lost for a development then it must be put back else where. If trees are cut down to build houses, where can those trees be replaced. Are materials responsibly sourced? What are the implications of developments on local amenities such as the schools and surgeries. Issues I know many more people are beginning to take serious note of.

"I understand the need for things to move forward in an ever changing society and that it is important that Uppingham isn't "left behind" as a town, but also believe that retaining the charm and community of our little Market Town is equally important. It is, after all, what makes Uppingham so special.

"As someone of a younger generation with friends who may want to remain in the area, I am keen to look at what "affordable housing" really means and would like to see younger people able to live independently in the town they call home, should they wish to do so.

"I am hoping that as a younger member of the council I can perhaps bring a fresh perspective on things and represent the younger demographic of the town on certain issues. I hope I will be able to encourage more younger people to engage with local issues and speak to me directly about their thoughts and opinions.

"With a growing population, I believe localising healthcare services is also an important issue. These things just scratch the surface and above all, I hope to represent the local community with compassion and humanity by remaining proactive and accessible and do the town proud."

Since his overwhelming victory, which saw Tom receive 943 votes compared to his opponent's 160, Tom also seen to a public groundswell of praise, support and good wishes posted on social media.

Tom added: "I would just like to reiterate how overwhelmed I have been by the support and encouragement shown by so many people. I would like to say a genuine and most heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted and all those who have supported me over the past few weeks.

"Whether it be a phone call to simply offer support, encouragement or advice or help with distributing leaflets, I am grateful to every single person and it all really does mean so much. Words cannot do justice to how touched I am by everyone's kindness. To learn that it was one of the highest turn outs for a local election is still sinking in!"