LAF 10/09

Suffolk Local Access Forum

Title: SLAF Recruitment and new members

Meeting Date: 22 April 2010

Author/Contact: David Falk

Venue: Ixworth Village Hall, Ixworth, Suffolk, IP31 2HH.

SLAF Recruitment

The membership terms for 3 SLAF members ends at the April 2010 meeting:

  • John Pearson, who has served on SLAF for 6 years, steps down as chair. John represented interests in Access for All, landowners and tourism.
  • Angela Brown, served on SLAF for 6 years and represented interests of equestrians, walking and conservation.
  • Bryan Freemantle, served on SLAF for 6 years and represented interests of equestrians.

Advertising for new members included an article in EADT on 21st December 2009 in the Environment section, and an advert in the EADT and Bury Free Press. This received interest from 43 people with a shortlist of 7 drawn up for interview.

Of the 7 interviewed 5 new members were recruited to raise SLAF membership to 17. The new members are:

  • Margaret Hancock – interests are tourism, cycling and Access for All.
  • Margaret is a registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide as a town guide for Ipswich and a regional guide for East Anglia, was rights of way representative for the Suffolk Cyclists Touring Club and is a volunteer for Out and About, a charity that promotes social inclusion for children and young people with various disabilities.
  • Alan Moore – interests are Access for All
  • Alan worked for the East of England Assembly as Headof Regional Planning and Transport,where he dealt with rights of way, before retiring in June 2008 for health reasons. He is a trustee of West Suffolk Headway and a volunteer with the Stroke Association.
  • Mary Norden – interests are conservation, walking and cycling
  • Mary is an RSPB Conservation Officer, responsible for planning and policy within Suffolk and the Brecks. She was previously Area Countryside Officer with the Broads Authority, managing 7 sites in the BureValley, and is an active member of the Suffolk Bat Group.
  • Ann Langley – interests are equestrian riding and driving
  • Ann is a founder member of the Mid-Suffolk Bridleways Association and has had 20 years involvement with the Pony Club and the Eastern Harriers Hunt and is a Parish Councillor for Ashfield cum Thorpe.
  • Melinda Appleby – interests are conservation, walking and landowners and land managers.
  • Melinda has worked as a farm conservation advisorto the NFU, helping to set up permissive access, an agricultural advisor to the RSPB, was until recently a Board Member of Natural England and a Trustee of Thornham Field Centre and is a Parish Councillor.
  • Due to other commitments Melinda’s membership will commence in October 2010.

END