Brimscombe & Thrupp Parish Council Nominee

I would like to be elected to continue as a Director because I love the Heavens and am committed to make this amazing community buy-out a long-term success for both nature and the community. I have put lots of effort into getting this far and am prepared to work hard to get us to the next stage. I have the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm to make it happen.

I live beside the Heavens and have visited it for 30 years. I took my children to play there, cleared up after teenage parties and now take my grandchildren to play in the stream and on the rope swings.

I heard and alerted the community that the Heavens Valley was going to be sold, helped form the action group, helped organise the community meetings and helped fundraise, and with Karen negotiated the community purchase from the previous owner. Since we purchased it, I have helped maintain the paths, cleared rubbish, done tree safety surveying, approached funders and much more. I have been a founding Director of the Community Benefit Society and been involved in working with the wider team to achieve remarkable progress.

My professional background is agriculture, forestry and community participation in sustainable land management in different countries. I have been involved in many community organisations in Stroud, was an elected District Councillor for Thrupp for 19 years and the leader of the Greens on the District Council. I am currently a Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Councillor and am their nominee on the HVCBS Board of Directors.