Clerk & Councillors

Paul and his wife Chrissie moved to the village from Tunbridge Wells in November 2014. They have three adult children and six grandchildren. Paul retired in October 2015 having worked for 44 years in the UK Water Industry working his way up from a trainee engineer to Company Director and Main Board Member of South East Water in 2003. He is currently a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. Over the years Paul has been involved with Young Enterprise in Brighton, School Governor and Chair of Governors at Longhill School, Brighton, Member and also Chairman of Rottingdean Preservation Society – responsible for maintaining the Windmill at Rottingdean and other historic structures in the village. He and also serves as a member of the East Dean and Friston Residents Association committee. Paul joined the Parish Council in June 2016 and became Vice chair in December 2018. He plans to ensure that the village remains a tranquil place to live whilst delivering the improvements that residents wish to see.

l moved with my wife and family from Kent to East Dean in 2017, we have been to the area many times over the years enjoying hillwalking across the Southdowns, swimming at Cuckmere Haven, where we simply we fell in love with the beauty of the area.

I was lucky enough to follow an Apprenticeship with the CEGB in the 1980’s and completed a number of degrees to develop my career from an electronics engineer through to today where l am Director of Asset Management at a leading consultancy in London within Power, Rail & other Industries, hence l have a wide range of Technical, Leadership, Managerial and Organisational competence and experience.

I have enjoyed representing a Parish in the past, as a Parish Councillor for Wye Parish Council in the late 1990s early 2000s where l was instrumental in resolving an issue of road safety for our local school and reducing vehicle damage through the implementation of a one-way system through Wye’s narrow roads.  I put in place green infrastructure, new cycle racks for the security of peoples' bikes when enjoying the facilities (and spending) in Wye village for visitors cycling along the North Downs Way.

I have been the chair of the ED&F Fete committee since 2019 where my team and l put on a number of fantastic Fete for our residents.

I am a Trustee for the Citizens Advice Bureau, this is a charity that provides a free confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people's lives in our locality, l am passionate that people have an organisation that they can contact for support when they feel they have nowhere else to turn.

I am a Board member of the University of Birmingham's Industry Advisory Board, l am a supporter of life-long learning and the important link between academia and business.

I am a great supporter of community and the well-being that is derived from it, hence l believe that my skills and enthusiasm can be employed by the Parish Council to maintain and enhance the beautiful villages of East Dean & Friston.

I moved to the village with my parents and brother in 2009. From the start, I was drawn to the area's natural beauty- the iconic Seven Sisters cliffs, Beachy Head, Friston Forest, watching the waves roll in at Birling Gap. Living here has given me a deep appreciation for our countryside and the importance of protecting the environment and rural character that make our villages so special.

I now serve as a parish councillor with a strong commitment to both preserving and improving our local area- for residents and for the many visitors who come to experience this beautiful part of the South Downs. I'm passionate about making our community welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all, and I aim to be a voice for residents across different backgrounds and experiences.

I'm currently studying Biomedical Sciences MSci at university. My academic background equips me with strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, all of which help me take a thoughtful and practical approach to council work. I also bring experience in communication, collaboration, and project planning.

As a disabled woman and a younger adult in the community, I aim to offer a perspective that isn't always widely represented. I believe that the diversity of our residents is one of our strengths, and I'm committed to ensuring our council reflects and responds to the full range of voices and needs in our village life.

Outside of my studies and council duties, I enjoy music (my Spotify playlists could best be described as 'eclectic'!) musicals and plays, reading and looking after Otto, my very curious hamster.

I'm always up for a conversation about local events, new ideas, or how we can make the village even better.