• First and foremost, I’m a family man, and cherish my family (my wife who has given me a daughter and son, who have in turn provided me with four grandchildren) who live in the geographical North part of Devon. I’m extremely thankful that my wife, children and their spouses have stable employment, but even so it is still my privilege to be able to support and encourage them and my grandchildren in their education, career and personal development journey.

  • As a christian, my faith guides and contributes to my outlook on life. I attend church in Barnstaple, and it is my faith that gives me the compassion and desire to help others, particularly those within our community here in the North part of Devon. I was brought up by caring parents, and taught to think of others before myself; and when I was invited those many years ago to join the Rotary Club of Barnstaple, I readily accepted their founders mottos of “Service Above Self” and “One Profits Most Who Serves Best”.

    My faith and compassion also led me to make the long road journey to Ukraine and Moldova along with a French co-driver in late 1991, in a truck carrying much needed aid to those souls who had the previous year experienced release from the strictures of communist rule. It was a sobering mission, but a real privilege and joy to be able to do something positive to help whilst experiencing wondrous hospitality from those who had very little in the way of material possessions.

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Practical interests

I am a keen amateur photographer and spend what little spare time is available in getting out and about in the North part of our glorious county. That said, I do enjoy holidays (normally in France) and use these opportunities to take photos. And if you’re interested, my photos can be viewed on my Flickr site (although the cataloguing never seems to be up to date), with relevant local photos also published on my Facebook group “Celebrating North Devon (in Photograph)”.

My other passion is woodwork, and I have a stock of useful hardwood and softwood in my garage just waiting for the time and opportunity to create something beautiful out of a natural and sustainable product.

Besides these passions and interests, I have an abiding desire to see young people develop and prosper. Using my eductaion, technical, analytical, managerial and business background and experience, I have counselled many young people at school, college and university level, helping them develop a clearer idea of what the future might hold for them, and providing assistance with CV development, letters of application, and interview guidance and practice. I find real joy and hope in seeing young people thriving in our modern society.

My desire to see young people do well extends to those who are less fortunate, those who have experienced difficulty in schooling or social situations, those who have been cowed by the circumstances of life, those who have possibly led to believe that they will never amount to anything. It is my firm belief that we are all equal partners in society, and that everyone can, and should play their part. So maybe giving support and opportunity, and valuing those less able, will help them achieve more than they were ever led to believe.

My belief in the power of community extends to the desire for integration of other nationalities and cultures to enrich our society without diminishing our own cultural values. I’m privileged to count other nationalities amongst my friends, and am grateful that an area once seeming conservative and possibly insular, has become home to people from many places across the globe.

During my years in Barnstaple I have seen many changes and developments, some improving things for our community, and some which have been less than well received. But overall, North Devon is a still a wonderful place to live, with Barnstaple being the largest and busiest town in the area. And its the promise seen in our younger generation, as well as the memory of those who have made our history, that gives me hope for the future!

COMMUNITY is built on

Kindness,

Consideration,

Compassion and

Empathy

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COMMUNITY is built on Kindness, Consideration, Compassion and Empathy 〰️