My
Community
We moved!
Jakkie and I were always aware that when the time was right we wouldn’t leave it too late to move from Fradswell
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Well, in April 2025 that time was right, and we moved into Stafford, close to daughter Victoria, where now we have nearby shops, a great pub and bakery, plus other delightful amenities!
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Of course, it was a wrench to leave our house in Fradswell, our wonderful friends, community and beautiful surroundings, but we are now hugely enjoying the next phase of our lives - in a home that is fit for purpose and future proofed.
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We did a massive downsize, reducing our 'things' by about 3/4! It's now an absolute delight to be 'clutter free'. We have some lovely neighbours...a great little community, and of course, we are still in touch and regularly see all of our Fradswell friends...win win!
The Fradswell years...
For almost thirty years we lived in the beautiful rural village of Fradswell. We were so fortunate to live in such a vibrant rural community for so many years. It was a privilege to be part of a committed and energetic team of volunteers who 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
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 a serious illness at the beginning of 2024, 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
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 in 2024.
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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