The Make up of the Parish Plan Steering Group
The Group was originally formed from volunteers who attended an Open Parish Meeting, which was held under the auspices of the Bucks Action Group (part of Bucks CC) specifically to form a steering group in late 2005. After that meeting Barry Agnew was persuaded to take on the role of Chairman.
As those who volunteered at the Open Meeting were not fully representative of all ages and genders, he then co-opted a few others. The final Group number was 12, comprising 8 men and 4 women, with an age range of teenage to pensioner. The first full Group meeting was held on 14th March 2006.
Steering Group - Members
Some, or indeed all of the Group, may not be known to you, so we thought it would be a good idea to include a little piece on all of us:
Barry and Alison Agnew have lived in Mursley for 12 years. They are still working hard for a living, (they have their own surveying business), but are looking forward to gradual retirement over the next few years. They are both keen conservationists, and to that end acquired a field and created a small arboretum (work in progress) in 2001. Their hope for the Parish Plan is to help produce a document that can be used to bring the concerns and aspirations of Mursley as a whole to the attention of those who are able to do something about changes for the better, and conservation of the best of what we already have.
Trent Baker, his wife Jane, and their teenage family have lived, on and off, in the village for 10 years. Trent works in marketing in a role which currently takes him abroad on a regular basis. In his spare time he is a keen skier. In his youth he played guitar in a swing band. Most of you will remember his recent notable role, in a frock, in the Village Show.
Neil and Maggie Coles have lived in Mursley for 27 years. Neil now works part time in the timber industry and Maggie is a retired surveyor. Both Neil and Maggie have been involved in various village activities during their time in Mursley, principally the Mussel Evening and Sports Association events; Neil has been President of the Sports Association and of the Football Club for the last 20 years. Neil has also been involved on the Parish Council for the last 10 years and has acted as Chairman during the last term
Andrew Cowell was born and brought up at Dodley Hill Farm, Swanbourne, where he lived for 18 years before going to study at Loughborough University. He grateful for those years in Swanbourne which taught him valuable lessons in what makes up a rural community, and he has seen many changes in the local villages, especially the influence of Milton Keynes. He worked for a year as an undergraduate for Milton Keynes Development Corporation giving him an insight into city development. This was also enhanced later in the 1980s when he worked on the London Docklands redevelopment. After getting married to Joy he spent 7 years in Berkhamsted before returning to this area to live in Mursley where they have lived since 1988. They both enjoy life here and are grateful for the community it has provided for their two boys to grow up in. They have both been involved in a number of activities including the village school, ladies cricket, village hall and Mursley Players. In the church they have contributed as youth group leaders, churchwarden, treasurer, bellringers, fete coordinators and Open Gates editor. For the last 15 years Andrew has worked for MWH, a Global Environmental consultancy, which gives him exposure to current issues relating to sustainable development, and skills which, together with his knowledge of the local community, have helped to contribute in the formation of the Parish Plan.
Tim Dolder and his young family moved to Mursley six years ago, and have felt privileged to have experienced a strong and friendly community where you are welcomed, accepted and encouraged to integrate into all aspects of village life. Tim and his wife Sarah have been actively involved in organising fundraising events for the Church, Kingfishers, annual village fete, Harvest Lunch and the inter-village cricket held last year. Tim is delighted that Mursley and its rural environs have ensured a freedom and quality of life for his two young children. Professionally, Tim is a Partner in a Corporate Recovery firm, dividing his time between offices in London and Milton Keynes. He is also a member of the MK Chamber of Commerce, the MK Legal & Financial Services Committee, and acts as an adviser to the CAB on financial matters.
Gerry Gallagher has lived in the village for over 20 years and has been actively involved in local clubs and activities over that time like Mursley Players, Parish Council and STUMP. Retiring early from a career in BT has allowed him to spend more time on his hobbies of gardening and travelling.
Sam Kinchin-Smith, at 18, is the youngest member of the Group, and was seconded specifically in order to prepare the Youth Section of the Questionnaire, a task he very ably fulfilled. Sam and his family have since moved away from the Village.
Claire Lipsett has lived in the village for 3 years. She works as a Research Scientist in the Animal Health industry, and regularly babysits for families in the Parish. She loves the outdoor, family life that Mursley offers, and is keen to be involved in groups, such as the Parish Plan, that may protect it.
Lea Thomson hails from New Zealand and is one of our younger members. She has lived in the village for 6 years with her husband and 2 children. She is an active and enthusiastic member of our community, enjoying the use of the facilities, including walking and cycling routes. She has recently become a member of the Village Hall Committee.
John Wilson moved to the village two and a half years ago. He is retired and enjoys being back in a rural environment. He joins in various village activities and feels it’s good to put something into a small community. His background is project management and planning in airlines, manufacturing and local government. John is also involved in helping to restore and maintain historic aircraft and enjoys walking, cycling, playing bowls and reading.