Preston Parish Council |
||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
Jane Hunter
Moved back to Preston in 1999 having previously lived in School Lane from 1973 to 1977. Jane and her husband Tim currently manage the Red Lion after having run another pub in the neighbouring hamlet of Charlton. She has been a Parish Councillor since 2003 and is also a representative on the Village Hall and Sports and Recreation Club committees. She has lived in various local villages over the past 30 years and has seen how easily they can be spoilt by over development. Jane is therefore very keen to help ensure that Preston retains its special charm and individuality .
John Healey has lived in School Lane since 1984, and is also treasurer of the Friends of St Martin's Preston. John became a parish councillor in 2003 and his responsibilities include local Rights of Way. Some current issues in this are the government's Countryside Access legislation, DEFRA consultation on vehicular use of byways, County Council investigations into upgrading the Hitchwood footpath to a 'highway' and the Parish Council's long running efforts to prevent vehicle misuse of Dead Woman's Lane. The paths around Preston are hugely important to locals and our many visitors, but their fragile qualities can be quickly destroyed through misuse. The great local support and contributions at crowded meetings with County council officers has been critically important in gaining the County Council's attention and in forcing some action on Tatmore Hills and Dead Woman's Lane in particular. This last problem is far from solved as yet.
jhealey333@aol.com
Jan Williams
Born in Beckenham, Kent. Moved to Preston from Hackney in 1988 and immediately fell in love with the village. Bit of a dinosaur when it comes to change which is why she would like Preston to stay in what she feels is a little time-warp. Feels there are too many tidy, pristine villages around which all have a sterile feel, with streetlights, pavements, neat verges and hedges - wants Preston to stay as it is, which is why she joined the Parish Council. Has no politics as such, although has strong socialist beliefs. Married to Ray, they have two children, Joe and Gail, who went to Preston Primary School but now attend Hitchin Boys' School and Hitchin Girls' School (where Jan is on the Parents' Association). Jan works in the office at Preston Primary School where she has also been a school governor for several years and thoroughly enjoys her involvement there. Organised Preston Village Day for 4 or 5 years when involved with the Preston Trust. Sings in the Preston village band - "One 2 Many" and enjoys practising with them followed by a drink or two in the excellent Red Lion, Preston, afterwards! Jan has been on the Parish Council since 1999 where her responsibilities include communications with the village, Preston Cricket Club and Preston Primary School.
janmwilliams23@hotmail.com
Mike Kellard
Mike has lived with his wife Susan in the village for 30 years, and their children grew up here and attended at local schools. Mike has been involved in many activities in the village, and is a former governor of the Primary School, and Chairman of the Preston Trust. He is very supportive of initiatives that build upon family values to create a strong and vibrant community. He particularly appreciates the beautiful environment of the village and the enormous care and commitment given by many that makes Preston such a wonderful place to live.
Pam Stark
Pam has lived in Preston since 1979. She became a Parish Councillor in 1997, and very soon after took on the role of Clerk to the council. Married to Ken, they have two sons who both attended Preston Primary School, and then went on to gain a very good education at Hitchin Boys School.
pstark@nascr.net
Brian Waters
Brian Waters moved to The Chequers in 1970 where he and Jill brought up their four sons. He has been a Parish Councillor for fifteen (not consecutive) of those years, the last five as Chairman. His interest in this work has always been to hold on to the predominantly rural character of the village and its surrounds and to stop it being eaten away and devalued by development; a small, friendly and vibrant community in a comfortable and generous time warp. He was a playing Preston Cricket Club member for nearly twenty years and has been followed in this by all four sons; was involved in the establishment of the Preston Trust in 1990 as a village charity directing resources to the care of the village, the wellbeing of those living in it and in the village's long-term preservation as a rural Hertfordshire beauty spot. A supporter of The Red Lion and trustee of the Seebohm Trust.The Chequers, Preston, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7TY
bww@prestonia.co.uk 01462 451993
Phil Leaver
Has lived in Preston for eight years, he loves the village and cannot think of anywhere else he would prefer to live. He was a Committee member on the Preston Trust for some years. Phil continues to work with a company that specialises in theatre sound and has been with them for the last twenty seven years where the work has taken him to many parts of the world. He left the board of Directors in 2000 when he took early retirement to enjoy more of village life but continues with the company as consultant, though still working more than ever intended. Before his present job Phil was chief sound engineer at The Royal Opera House Covent Garden. His responsibilities within the Parish Council include liason with Ladacan and other airport matters as well as planning and conservation issues. He also quite enjoys sound mixing for our village band.
Robert Young (Treasurer)
To follow