Planning Committee

Jackie and I moved into the village in January 1976 a few years after we got married. In December 1977 our first daughter Kelly was born and our second daughter Hayley in August 1983. Both of our children have attended Awsworth nursery and primary school and then onto Kimberley. We have 3 grand-daughters and 1 grandson. Kelly works in the local private nursery and Hayley is the Parish council Clerk. You could say we are all Awsworth through & through.

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I started helping out at the youth club in 1988 and did so for 25 years and was on the committee for that length of time also, and in fact I was the chair when the present-day youth club was built at the side of the village hall. I joined the village hall management committee in the late 1990’s for about 10 years where I served as the treasurer. I joined the Parish Council in the mid 1990’s too and was voted as vice chair very early on. I was instrumental in designing and delivering the MUGA, Skateboard Ramps and Cycle Trials area on the Lane recreation ground, although the Cycle Trials area was removed and replaced with even more skateboard ramps after I left.

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Like my Vice-Chair Michael Smith, I strongly believe the Parish Council should be non-political and only work for the benefit of our local people and the parish, and that is the reason why I left the council after 10 years because politics was more important than our village to some councillors. I got involved with the Parish council again in 2010 after I and a few of my friends strongly disagreed with a decision the parish council took in relation to the youth club and was instrumental in providing the youth club with a proper lease. I became chair of the parish council in 2012. I became involved again with the village hall in 2017 to save it from closing down, and I am very proud to say, thanks to the parish council and other volunteers that the village hall is again thriving and is truly the hub of our community. I was once a school governor and have been a member of Awsworth Bowls club since 2004.

Janice and I come from the same village near Chesterfield and have lived in Awsworth since we married in 1984. We have two grown up daughters, and now four young granddaughters keep us busy. I joined the Parish Council in 1990 because I disagreed with a decision the Council took, deciding it was better to be ‘at the table’ if I hoped to influence matters which had an impact on where my family and I lived. As an active member of the Council, I have tried to help improve my local area and community. I have been Vice-Chair of the Council for several years and more recently Chair of the Recreation Committee. As a former Government planning officer, I advise the Council on planning matters.

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I have been instrumental in initiating and delivering numerous local projects. A few examples: constructing a new pond on The Rec; hanging baskets on The Lane / Main Street; the ‘Centenary Oak’ on ‘The Donkey Piece’; sourcing and installing former mine tubs on ‘Tub Island’ for use as planters; raised beds in front of the Village Hall; spring bulb-planting and wildflower areas around the village.

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I strongly believe the Parish Council should be non-political and work for the benefit of local people and our parish. I am passionate about the environment and once, during a heated meeting with the local cricket club, was dubbed ‘The Green Man of Awsworth’, which I wear as a ‘badge of honour’. I believe in conservation but also in beneficial change. I was Chair of the Steering Group that prepared Awsworth’s Neighbourhood Plan, which provides policy to help guide planning decisions affecting our parish. Where we are unable to prevent new development, we should always try to get the best outcomes for the local area and residents.

I have lived in the Village of Awsworth all of my life, going to the local nursery and primary school, attending the Play group and Youth Club when it was based in the Village Hall, using all of the facilities, worked in one of the local pubs and most importantly, brought our home and raised our family here.

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I love the Village I live in, so when the opportunity came to become the Clerk of Awsworth Parish Council, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately I wasn’t successful first time around but when the job became available again in 2016, I applied and this time (after an interview by 4 Parish Councillors and an IT test) I got the job.

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With a background in Finance, HR, Board and Executive Committees and  Events planning, I thought these skills and expertise were prefect for this role! However, I can guarantee, being a Clerk to a Parish Council, is nothing like you’d ever imagine, and still has its challenges.

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The legalities of local government, the public opinion, working with Volunteers rather than employed staff, all has its challenges, but the rewards totally out way the negatives. Working with like-minded people who want to work with you to try your hardest to make positive changes for the residents it the best part of the job.

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During my time at Awsworth Parish Council I have Project Managed the Village Hall refurbishment in 2017, the Sports Pavilion extension in 2019 and worked closely with the Football Club and Bowls Club for improvement projects to the pavilions, as well as many play area improvements and events for all residents to enjoy!

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My favourite time of year is Christmas, arranging the Christmas Lights Switch on event with Santa’s Grotto and of course Santa’s Sleigh visit around the Village, is such fun and so rewarding.

I chose to become a parish councillor because I care deeply about the well-being and future of our community. Having grown up in Awsworth and lived here for over 40 years, I have a strong connection to the village and a genuine passion for helping it thrive. Awsworth is my home, and I want to play a part in preserving what makes it special while supporting its development in ways that benefit everyone.‍

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I’ve always believed in the power of community involvement and wanted to use my experience to make a meaningful difference. I’m especially committed to helping Awsworth remain a safe, welcoming place for all generations. Whether it's improving local services, protecting our environment, or fostering a stronger sense of community, I’m dedicated to working collaboratively and constructively for the benefit of everyone who lives here.

I chose to become a Parish Councillor because I believe local people should have a voice in decisions that affect where they live. I care about the day-to-day matters that impact residents, from local facilities and services to the safety, appearance and wellbeing of the village as a whole. Being part of the Parish Council allows me to contribute constructively and work with others for the benefit of the community. My two children attend the local primary school, which gives me a strong, personal connection to village life and to the issues that matter to families living in Awsworth.

My background has given me practical experience that I believe is valuable in parish work, particularly in listening to people, working collaboratively and helping to find sensible solutions to local issues. I am approachable and always happy to speak with residents to hear their concerns, ideas and suggestions.

As a councillor, my priority is to act in the best interests of Awsworth and its residents. I believe the Parish Council should remain non-political, transparent and focused on serving the whole community. I am committed to supporting local initiatives, maintaining and improving village facilities, and helping to ensure Awsworth remains a welcoming place for all generations.

I live in the village and have served on Awsworth Parish Council since 2015 as an independent. I’m passionate about improving local facilities and quality of life in Awsworth, and I believe my work experience has helped contribute to those improvements over the years. Now retired, I originally qualified as a pharmacist and spent much of my career in management roles at Boots.