I have lived in Holmes Chapel since 1979 and at that time my wife, Linda, and I were regular commuters into the Manchester area. I worked as a metallurgist for the electricity power industry and enjoyed part of my leisure time developing a garden around our old farm house. In 1994 I began to work from home as a garden designer and I managed to turn a hobby into an interesting small business. Working in Holmes Chapel gave me more time to get to know my own village and appreciate the good range of facilities we have to hand. In 2016 I retired from paid work but I still seem to be very busy!

Leisure time has been devoted to a range of activities including gardening, walking and involvement with Holmes Chapel U3A. I occasionally open my own garden to raise funds for different charities. I currently lead the Village Volunteers, a group of enthusiasts who work to maintain and improve the flower borders in the middle of Holmes Chapel and carry out regular litter picks.  I have also been involved in helping write one of the local history books about Holmes Chapel and until 2018 led the U3A Local History Group which has researched the story of Holmes Chapel and its people during the First World War. We put on weekend exhibitions in 2014 and in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the start and end of the war.

I joined the Parish Council in April 2005 with the aim of helping to maintain Holmes Chapel as a pleasant place to live. The village has changed significantly over the past 30 years but it still has a 'village atmosphere' as a result of the mix of shops and housing. Things will continue to change but I would hope we can move forward whilst improving the benefits, facilities and character of our village. Since joining the Council, I have been involved, amongst other things, with the refurbishment of the village centre, improvements to the Dane Valley, developing the Neighbourhood Plan for Holmes Chapel and assisting with the financial management systems of the Council.

I was lucky to be awarded the British Empire medal in the 2016 New Years Honors list for services to the community of Holmes Chapel.  Although I felt very honoured, I am well aware there are many others in Holmes Chapel who give up their time to voluntary organisations who also deserve recognition.