I have been married to Deb since 1980 and have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. All boys!
I grew up mainly in Great Wakering and bought my first house here shortly after we were married.
I worked in the computer departments for Southend and Rochford Councils for 10 years, and Cap Gemini for 14 years as a software developer and project manager. In 2001 I set up my own business in Wakering building web applications and complex web developments, which I have done until this day.
I am a keen walker, gardener, photographer, painter, DIY'er and musician, having played in a rock band from an early age... and still do!
I have a little black and white dog named Baxter and we walk many a mile, every day, up mountains whenever we can.
I have always had a keen interest in open spaces, wildlife, footpaths and rights of way. I have campaigned for many years to keep our footpaths open and well maintained, and regularly campaign on issues of wildlife conservation and bio-diversity. My pet hates are litter, fly tipping and dog mess.
I worked on the Great Wakering Parish Plan ( http://www.greatwakeringparishplan.org.uk/) from 2011 until 2014, helping to put together a record of what people in the village like and dislike, and what they think could be improved. This plan is a living document that is still being used by the Parish Council, often guiding them in their decisions. I regularly attend and contribute to Parish Council meetings.
I actively get involved in litter picking, removal of fly tipping, path clearance and general maintenance around the village. In 2012 I fought the developers who were looking for planning permission to build on the land to the West of Alexandra Road. Together with a couple of neighbours, we took them on, took it all the way to the Secretary of State... and we won! That land is now designated a wildlife buffer zone to the Star Lane lakes.
In September 2017, I joined John Whatley, Jo Mc Pherson, Gill Cain, Chris Wells, and our local path strimming hero "Badger" (Keith Price) as a trustee of the Friends of Wakering Common. If you'd like to see what we've achieved over there with the assistance of a number of local volunteers, take a look at www.wakeringcommon.com, or our Facebook group, Friends of Wakering Common... or better still, go and take a little walk over there!
