

My
Community
For almost thirty years we have lived in the beautiful rural village of Fradswell. We are so fortunate to live in such a vibrant rural community. Over the past 15 years, it has been a privilege to be part of a committed and energetic team of volunteers who have transformed our community. Together we led a project to build a new village hall as a community hub for Fradswell. The project provided the spark that ignited our community and along the way tackled the real issues of rural isolation, physical and physiological well-being and the particular challenge facing the more elderly and the young.
 After first raising £20,000 through local generosity, we were successful in obtaining a grant of £470,000 from the Big Lottery to build and equip our new village hall, and a £25,000 grant to create a serenity garden. 
 With our two acre village green, hall and garden we are so proud of what has been achieved. An enviable events and activities programme includes a community Bakehouse, repair cafe, Pop Up Bar, annual apple festival, a choir, annual Wassail event, exercise classes and workshops, with a focus on sharing skills and encouraging social enterprise. 
 Our vision is ‘A vibrant community hub at the heart of Fradswell providing local opportunities to meet, socialise, learn, share and shop.' 
 Our Community Hub values are: Inclusive Enabling Tradition, Sustainable Local
Volunteering
I truly believe in the massive benefits that arise from volunteering. Even a couple of hours a week can make a difference to someone’s life and help build your own sense of self-worth and wellbeing.
Volunteering can take a wide variety of forms. Here are some of the volunteering activities past and present.
I currently volunteer two mornings a week at Crispin Court, a dementia specialist care home in Stafford. It’s where I had my own respite care earlier this year.
I run a Monday morning Conversation Corner, a Gentleman’s Club and I am organising a Memories Project to capture the wonderful stories of their lives.
Other voluntary roles:
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- Chair of Fradswell Community Hub 2011-2017
- Vice chair of Birmingham City University SU
2011 - 2015
- Trustee and Chair of the trading company Staffs Wildlife Trust 2012 - 2016
- Chair of Osprey Leadership Foundation 2018 - 2024
-Chair of Windmill Broadcasting 2018 - 2021
-Presented three regular radio shows on local radio
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Living with Parkinson's
Back in 2015 I was diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). I had been aware of my slower, shuffling walk and occasional shakes for a while. PD is a degenerative condition, that has no cure, which slowly impacts quality of life. The first few years were fine, I maintained a positive outlook and focused on the right balance of medication and exercise. Living with PD is tough, there’s no point in denying it, the future can dominate my life, and has a significant impact on Jakkie and my immediate family. Following my serious illness at the beginning of this year both my physical and mental well-being have suffered and I am working hard to rectify this. I have always understood I have a choice. I can become a victim of PD or I can accept it as a positive challenge. There’s a great quote by the novelist Amor Towles. ‘If a person does not master their circumstances,  then they are bound to be mastered by them.’ I’m also humbled that my daughter Charlotte has chosen to focus her neuroscience career and PhD on studying PD. She’s a great source of advice, reassurance and challenge. If anyone is facing similar challenges and wants to chat, I'd be happy to do so
On the move
Jakkie and I were always aware that when the time was right we wouldn’t leave it too late to move.
The time is now!
It’s going to be a tremendous wrench to leave our home, our wonderful friends, community and beautiful surroundings, but we want to enjoy the next phase of our lives in a home that is fit for purpose and future proofed.
We will be moving next spring into Stafford to be close to daughter Victoria with nearby shops, pub and other amenities.
Our biggest challenge is sorting out twenty odd years accumulated ‘stuff!’