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Diary

Where were you born?

I was born in Romsey, but moved to Guildford in Surrey when I was about 9. I grew up there, attended a local school, and then studied History at Bristol University.

The Day Job?

I worked in an Advertising Agency for 10 years, doing Account Management. Then I had a career break to have my children, Matthew (4) and Lucy (3). Now I am back working part-time on the marketing side of Solomon Theatre, a local Company, based in the High Street. Solomon promotes education through drama – and it is a very effective medium indeed.

What are your hobbies?

Singing is the most important thing – I even met Peter through an amateur operatic and dramatic society. Now I am a member of Salisbury Musical Society, and we sing in Salisbury Cathedral, which is just wonderful. I also enjoy walking and horse riding.

What about your work on the Parish Council?

This is my 6^th year, and I became Deputy-Chair this year. I believe that our role is to represent the interests of local residents to the District and County Councils. This is an important time for parish councils generally, because central Government are really pushing local consultation, saying that they want to give parish councils a greater voice – the move towards making parish plans is part of that.

Your main concerns about the Village?

Modern life is changing the Village, and you can see the effects of this even in the 8 years I have been here – for example, there`s more traffic, which leads to congestion in some places. 

Your dearest wish for the village…..

I hope that it continues to be a happy and beautiful place to live in. Perhaps it sounds a bit “wishy-washy”, but I hope that the people continue to pull together as a community, and that the environment continues to be preserved in all its glory.

Your views on the Parish Plan?

I’ve been on the Steering Group from the very beginning, and the work has been very satisfying, with a good mix of people with different skills and enthusiasms. We had 93% of Questionnaires returned, which is a Hampshire Record – and possibly even a national one - it was hard work to achieve that, and very gratifying. The Plan is in its final stages now, and it will be good to see it in print. It has given the opportunity for local people to really influence issues which affect our parish. 

My hope around the Plan is that residents will support it when it is launched – I really hope so! It is important to realise that it is as much about preserving what we really love as it is about changing things. Change will happen whether we like it or not – and I feel it is better to be in a position to control that change ourselves rather than to let bureaucrats do it for us.

The bit of the Plan I am most interested in concerns the facilities and activities for children and young people. One of the things that the Questionnaires have highlighted is that 25% of the Village population is under 20, and 16% is under 11! There are plenty of clubs and activities for adults, but apart from Fluffy Chicks (for pre-school children) there is nothing else for our young people. We have formed a team of volunteers to explore what can be done, and have just had a first meeting to talk about this, and to instigate plans.

Your hopes and aspirations?

We have lived here now for almost 9 years, and I still feel as strongly as the day we arrived that we are extremely lucky to live here, sharing in the strong sense of community. Where I used to live, no-one would stop and speak to you, but it’s different here, and we have a lot of friends and a good social life. This is a really valuable thing that should not be under-estimated. It is the reason why I have chosen to be involved in many Village activities – it is because I love it here!