Trustees
Jill Dudding Chair of Trustees
AREA OF FOCUS: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
"I have lived in Ottery St Mary since 1985. I have three children children, all who attended Ottery Primary School and Kings School prior to developing their own professional careers. My own career as an Occupational Therapist involved working with adults with acute mental illness prior to 12 very exciting years in a position in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric unit which sadly was cut in the nineties. In the following years I worked with people with dementia-related illnesses an in special education with young people with little or no sight.
Since ceasing full-time employment, I am now in a position to be an active grandparent for our families in Bristol and Oxford and would like again to utilise some of my skills to support the local community."
"I have lived in Ottery St Mary since 1985. I have three children children, all who attended Ottery Primary School and Kings School prior to developing their own professional careers. My own career as an Occupational Therapist involved working with adults with acute mental illness prior to 12 very exciting years in a position in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric unit which sadly was cut in the nineties. In the following years I worked with people with dementia-related illnesses an in special education with young people with little or no sight.
Since ceasing full-time employment, I am now in a position to be an active grandparent for our families in Bristol and Oxford and would like again to utilise some of my skills to support the local community."
MICK HOPKINS
AREA OF FOCUS: FINANCE
"I was born in Chingford, Northeast London. I moved to the West Country in 1987, through my job as a Bank Manager and am now retired. I'm married to Pauline and we have two children who attended West Hill Primary School and King’s School, both still live locally. We now have four grandchildren. I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley for 25 years and my hobbies include golf and football. I was a football referee for 19 years!"
"I was born in Chingford, Northeast London. I moved to the West Country in 1987, through my job as a Bank Manager and am now retired. I'm married to Pauline and we have two children who attended West Hill Primary School and King’s School, both still live locally. We now have four grandchildren. I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley for 25 years and my hobbies include golf and football. I was a football referee for 19 years!"
judith reynolds secretary
AREA OF FOCUS: TRUSTEE ADMINISTRATION
"I've lived in the Ottery area since 1981. I was a teacher at Clyst Vale Community College for 29 years (teaching Geography, being Head of Year and also Assistant Principal) and subsequently Clerk to Ottery St Mary Town Council for 8.5 years. As a teacher I organised and led a successful school handbell ringing team which performed in venues all over England and which, as a result of considerable fund-raising, I took on three occasions to America and Canada.
As Town Clerk I was responsible for advising the Council and effecting the decisions it made as well as administering its services and properties. My hobbies include gardening and church bellringing. I am Secretary to the East Branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.
"I've lived in the Ottery area since 1981. I was a teacher at Clyst Vale Community College for 29 years (teaching Geography, being Head of Year and also Assistant Principal) and subsequently Clerk to Ottery St Mary Town Council for 8.5 years. As a teacher I organised and led a successful school handbell ringing team which performed in venues all over England and which, as a result of considerable fund-raising, I took on three occasions to America and Canada.
As Town Clerk I was responsible for advising the Council and effecting the decisions it made as well as administering its services and properties. My hobbies include gardening and church bellringing. I am Secretary to the East Branch of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers.
chris highnam
AREA OF FOCUS: FUNDRAISING
My wife, Monica, and I moved to West Hill in 2007 where we have joined clubs and community projects in the area. We have three children.
I was born in Dorset into a farming family. After primary school I attended Gillingham Grammar and studied agriculture at Kingston Maurward College. From here I joined the family business, which was one of the earliest after the war rationing, to get a licence for cream making in 1952. From a village dairy we took the business to Shaftesbury in 1985 and developed a range of dairy products which our son Jim, now running the business, has expanded to supply many of the major food manufacturers.
I am a long-term member of Round Table & Club and now of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley. I joined Ottery Help Scheme four years ago and have just completed three years as treasurer and have enjoyed being part of our period of change and growth.
My wife, Monica, and I moved to West Hill in 2007 where we have joined clubs and community projects in the area. We have three children.
I was born in Dorset into a farming family. After primary school I attended Gillingham Grammar and studied agriculture at Kingston Maurward College. From here I joined the family business, which was one of the earliest after the war rationing, to get a licence for cream making in 1952. From a village dairy we took the business to Shaftesbury in 1985 and developed a range of dairy products which our son Jim, now running the business, has expanded to supply many of the major food manufacturers.
I am a long-term member of Round Table & Club and now of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley. I joined Ottery Help Scheme four years ago and have just completed three years as treasurer and have enjoyed being part of our period of change and growth.
david gurney
AREA OF FOCUS: COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
"I moved to the South West in 1991. I am divorced and have a daughter aged 44 who is married with 3 children.
After retiring I drove for Sidmouth Voluntary Services for 5 years and volunteered at Sidmouth College doing literacy support with 12 to 14 year olds. Shortly after moving to Ottery, I joined the Ottery Refugee Response Group and, as well as supporting the first Syrian family to move to Sidmouth, I have and continue to support the Syrian family who are now an established part of the Ottery community.
My work life saw me working in or for various industries, including steel finishing; latterly my career moved to Management Recruitment, Development and Succession Planning. I joined Pennon, the holding company for South West Water/ Viridor in 1991.
I began cycling in about 2008 when my knees had become too damaged to run anymore. I had run the notorious Grizzly four times! I enjoy gardening and am a keen Exeter Chiefs supporter. Having driven for Ottery Help Scheme for 3 years, I saw how professional and committed the organisation is, so I was delighted to join the trustees in April 2020."
"I moved to the South West in 1991. I am divorced and have a daughter aged 44 who is married with 3 children.
After retiring I drove for Sidmouth Voluntary Services for 5 years and volunteered at Sidmouth College doing literacy support with 12 to 14 year olds. Shortly after moving to Ottery, I joined the Ottery Refugee Response Group and, as well as supporting the first Syrian family to move to Sidmouth, I have and continue to support the Syrian family who are now an established part of the Ottery community.
My work life saw me working in or for various industries, including steel finishing; latterly my career moved to Management Recruitment, Development and Succession Planning. I joined Pennon, the holding company for South West Water/ Viridor in 1991.
I began cycling in about 2008 when my knees had become too damaged to run anymore. I had run the notorious Grizzly four times! I enjoy gardening and am a keen Exeter Chiefs supporter. Having driven for Ottery Help Scheme for 3 years, I saw how professional and committed the organisation is, so I was delighted to join the trustees in April 2020."
SUE BINT
AREA OF FOCUS: HEALTH AND WELLBEING
"I was born and raised in Liverpool, leaving home at the age of 18 to join the Queens Royal Army Nursing Corps, where I trained as a Nurse. Once qualified I was posted to the British Military Hospital in Iserlohn Germany where I met Ralph, who became my husband and we remain married after over 40 years. We have two children and six grandchildren.
I have worked in various nursing roles including Marie Curie, Medical Centres, NHS main hospitals, and district nursing. In 1986 we moved to Nepal, living about 35 miles from the base of Mt Everest. While there as well as working as a part time nurse I was involved running the Gurkha baby clinics and became Programme Controller for the cantonment radio station, scheduling the programmes and arranging presenters and DJs.
On return from Nepal we were posted to Verden in North Germany where I worked in the Families Medical Centre during the time of the first Gulf War. This was a particularly stressful time for many of the soldiers wives, much of my time being dedicated to guiding them through this situation. I also managed to find the time to support and run Rainbows. I am now retired."
"I was born and raised in Liverpool, leaving home at the age of 18 to join the Queens Royal Army Nursing Corps, where I trained as a Nurse. Once qualified I was posted to the British Military Hospital in Iserlohn Germany where I met Ralph, who became my husband and we remain married after over 40 years. We have two children and six grandchildren.
I have worked in various nursing roles including Marie Curie, Medical Centres, NHS main hospitals, and district nursing. In 1986 we moved to Nepal, living about 35 miles from the base of Mt Everest. While there as well as working as a part time nurse I was involved running the Gurkha baby clinics and became Programme Controller for the cantonment radio station, scheduling the programmes and arranging presenters and DJs.
On return from Nepal we were posted to Verden in North Germany where I worked in the Families Medical Centre during the time of the first Gulf War. This was a particularly stressful time for many of the soldiers wives, much of my time being dedicated to guiding them through this situation. I also managed to find the time to support and run Rainbows. I am now retired."
PAUL SHINGLER
AREA OF FOCUS: HEALTH AND SAFETY
"I was born and brought up in Norwich and on leaving school I became an Articled Pupil to a local Civil Engineer. I also learnt to sail on the Norfolk Broads. To gain a degree in Civil Engineering I studied at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham. On graduation I worked in Local Government in Nottingham where I met my wife, Linda. We moved to Newcastle on Tyne where I supervised the construction of 2 of the stations for Tyne and Wear Metro. Following a year in Colchester and another in Caracas, Venezuela we moved to the Southwest where I worked on a variety of projects until my retirement staying with the same employer. We had two sons - the eldest is a Surgical Consultant
but the youngest had Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy among many other problems and is no longer with us.
While living in Callington I joined the Friends of the Callington Health Centre and when we moved to Plymouth, I helped form the Friends of the Mannamead Surgery and was the first Chairman. When I moved to West Hill I was already a Rotarian and transferred to the Rotary Club of Otter Valley."
"I was born and brought up in Norwich and on leaving school I became an Articled Pupil to a local Civil Engineer. I also learnt to sail on the Norfolk Broads. To gain a degree in Civil Engineering I studied at Trent Polytechnic in Nottingham. On graduation I worked in Local Government in Nottingham where I met my wife, Linda. We moved to Newcastle on Tyne where I supervised the construction of 2 of the stations for Tyne and Wear Metro. Following a year in Colchester and another in Caracas, Venezuela we moved to the Southwest where I worked on a variety of projects until my retirement staying with the same employer. We had two sons - the eldest is a Surgical Consultant
but the youngest had Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy among many other problems and is no longer with us.
While living in Callington I joined the Friends of the Callington Health Centre and when we moved to Plymouth, I helped form the Friends of the Mannamead Surgery and was the first Chairman. When I moved to West Hill I was already a Rotarian and transferred to the Rotary Club of Otter Valley."
SARAH HUGHES
AREAS OF FOCUS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
"I lived for 12 years on the outskirts of Ottery St Mary but now live on the outskirts of Payhembury with my husband and dog. I have been lucky enough to have had a very varied career - always working with people but in many different ways and environments. Early on in my life, I worked as a nurse and then moved into teaching, specialising in children with special needs. I then moved into Adult Education, focusing on community development and empowering vulnerable adults to find work. Latterly, I worked for Somerset County Council managing their volunteers and then most recently was project manager for The Community Council for Somerset developing their Village Agent Scheme. This was initially set up with Big Lottery funding and is about ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Very much the mantra now!
The scheme is very successful and has developed hugely and now covers most of Somerset. I am a Family Magistrate in Taunton but plan to retire next year and want to use my community development experience locally to support the Ottery Help Scheme.
I enjoy art and gardening as well as walking my dog and being a Granny."
"I lived for 12 years on the outskirts of Ottery St Mary but now live on the outskirts of Payhembury with my husband and dog. I have been lucky enough to have had a very varied career - always working with people but in many different ways and environments. Early on in my life, I worked as a nurse and then moved into teaching, specialising in children with special needs. I then moved into Adult Education, focusing on community development and empowering vulnerable adults to find work. Latterly, I worked for Somerset County Council managing their volunteers and then most recently was project manager for The Community Council for Somerset developing their Village Agent Scheme. This was initially set up with Big Lottery funding and is about ‘Prevention is better than cure’. Very much the mantra now!
The scheme is very successful and has developed hugely and now covers most of Somerset. I am a Family Magistrate in Taunton but plan to retire next year and want to use my community development experience locally to support the Ottery Help Scheme.
I enjoy art and gardening as well as walking my dog and being a Granny."
"It's a privilege to be able to use my skills to support the local community"
