Trustees

  • Jill DuddingJill Dudding - Chair of Trustees

    I have lived in Ottery St Mary since 1985 when we moved to the town with our then 18 month old daughter. Subsequently we had a 2 further children; a son and daughter all who attended Ottery Primary School and Kings School prior to developing their own professional careers.

    My own career as an Occupational Therapist commenced back in the mid-seventies when I first worked, post qualification, with adults with acute mental illness prior to 12 very exciting years in a position in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric unit which sadly was cut in the nineties.

    From here, juggling the balance of career and family life I moved to a temporary post to cover maternity leave to a role in Sidmouth supporting those with dementia-related illnesses.

    After the birth of our third child I moved in a very part time role to a new area of work as an OT in special education at what was then called the West of England School and College for young people with little or no sight, now referred to as WESC Foundation.

    My career path developed significantly within this organisation through the years: taking on the lead for all therapies, to managing all the health professionals and subsequently being active in the transition of young people into the community on completion of formal education, as well as a significant role in the introduction of the Education Health and Care Plans.

    I have been actively involved in the community, participating in the PTA’s of both schools attended by our children to being Brown Owl for many years. Latterly, while working in a very full-time role, my involvement in the local community had taken second place. Since ceasing full-time employment last Autumn, I am now in a position to be an active grandparent for our families in Bristol and Oxford and would like again to utilise some of my skills to support the local community.

  • chrispicChris Highnam - Treasurer

    My wife, Monica, and I moved to West Hill in 2007 where we have joined clubs and community projects in the area.

    I was born in Kington Magna, Dorset in 1941 into a farming and dairy family of 4 boys. My father was a keen horseman so I rode ponies from an early age but later played club rugby. After primary school in the village I attended Gillingham Grammar and studied agriculture at Kingston Maurward College.

    We have 3 children – Jim, Emily and Giles.

    I joined the family business, which was one of the earliest after the war rationing, to get a licence for cream making in 1952. From a village dairy we took the business to Shaftesbury in 1985 and developed a range of dairy products which our son Jim, now running the business, has expanded to supply many of the major food manufacturers.

    A long term member of Round Table & 41 Club and now of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley.

    I joined the Help Scheme 4 years ago and have just completed 3 years as Treasurer and have enjoyed being part of our period of change and growth.

  • Judith ReynoldsJudith Reynolds - Secretary

    I have lived in the Ottery area since 1981.  I was a Teacher at Clyst Vale Community College, Broadclyst for 29 years (teaching Geography, being Head of Year and also Assistant Principal) and subsequently Clerk to Ottery St Mary Town Council for 8½ years, retiring last June.

    As a teacher I organised and led a successful school handbell ringing team which performed in venues all over England and which, as a result of considerable fund-raising, I took on 3 occasions to America and Canada. 

    As Town Clerk I was responsible for advising the Council and effecting the decisions it made as well as administering its services and properties.

    I am married to Wilfred, a retired Police Officer. 

    I am Choir Director and a bell ringer at Ottery St Mary Parish Church.

  • David-GurneyDavid Gurney

    I moved to the South West in 1991. I have lived in Exeter, Sidmouth, and Ottery for nearly 5 years. I am divorced and have a daughter aged 44 who is married with 3 children and lives near Amersham.

    After retiring I drove for Sidmouth Voluntary Services for 5 years and volunteered at Sidmouth College doing literacy support with 12 to 14-year olds. Shortly after moving to Ottery, I joined the Ottery Refugee Response Group and, as well as supporting the first Syrian family to move to Sidmouth, I have and continue to support the Syrian family who are now an established part of the Ottery community. Both families came via the Syrian Vulnerable Families Scheme.

    My work life saw me working in or for various industries, including steel finishing; latterly my career moved to Management Recruitment, Development and Succession Planning. I joined Pennon, the holding company for South West Water/ Viridor in 1991.

    I began cycling in about 2008 when my knees had become too damaged to run anymore. I had run the notorious Grizzly four times! I enjoy gardening and share a half allotment in Newton Poppleford with my partner. I am a keen Exeter Chiefs supporter. Having driven for Ottery Help Scheme for 3 years and seen how professional and committed the organisation is, I was delighted to join the trustees in April 2020. I am also hoping to join the South West Patient Research project if it gets up and running.
  • Andrew ThomasAndrew Thomas

    My wife Susan and I moved to West Hill in 1994, as part of a career relocation. At the time I was working for the Pearl Assurance Company which I joined in 1978, prior to that I had worked as a hard rock miner in Cornwall tin industry at a mine called Wheel Jane

    My career with the Pearl took us to various locations in the country as I worked my way up the promotion ladder, eventually becoming the South West regional manager. In 2003 the Pearl closed the company and I set up Thomas and Gentry independent financial advisers with my business partner John Gentry from which I retired in November 2020.

    I joined Otter Valley Rotary Club 15 years ago and in that time I have held most positions including president of the club. It has been a privilege to be involved with both local community and international projects as part of Rotary.

    My hobbies are playing golf, travelling and most of all spending time with my four daughters and their families when they visit.

    Ottery Help Scheme shows what can be achieved by supporting the local community with a wide range of activities. I look forward to working alongside the other trustees in helping the team continue to develop what is offered in these changing times.
  • Mick H 1 Mick Hopkins

        I was born in Chingford North East London/Essex.Moved to the West Country in 1987, through my job as a Bank Manager, now
        retired. Married to Pauline with two children, who attended West Hill Primary School and Kings School. Both still live locally. Four grandchildren, two go to
        OtterySt Mary Primary School and two at Woolbrook Primary School in Sidmouth. I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Otter Valley for 25 years,
        this year. Hobbies include golf and football. I was a football referee for 19 years!

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