Parish Councillors - Charsfield Parish Council

Clerk to Parish Council, Viviane Ward clerk@charsfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk

The Register of Interests can be found at: https://roi.cmis.uk.com/QuestionSets/ROIListByGroup/1

Here is a little more information on your Parish Council

Simon Rixon (Chair)

I joined the Parish Council mid 2024 following some work on the 2024 road safety survey plan. A resident of Charsfield, Elizabeth and I have lived in St Peter’s Close since 2022, previously Hacheston and Hertfordshire, with grown-up children in London and Bishop’s Stortford. Now retired from a career in the tech industry, more recently I was a DVLA instructor for learner motorcycle riding, I’ve been active in the road safety voluntary sector for 25yrs and I remain an examiner in East Suffolk for advanced motorcycle riding tests. Otherwise, I spend time with family, anything on two wheels and walking and travelling from our campervan.

Sally Crone (Councillor)

I moved to Charsfield with my husband, Richard in the Summer of 2023. I am now semi-retired but previously worked as a Conveyancing Solicitor in Essex and Hertfordshire. I have also worked in Local Government and the Charity Sector. I am on the Boards of several Charities in Essex where I lived for many years and also volunteer with a charity in Framlingham as a Befriender with Elderly people. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my horses, riding in Tunstall Forest and gardening. You can also often see me out walking locally with my Labrador. I think community is very important and enjoy being involved in local and community activities.

Ed Youngman (Councillor) I have been on Parish Council for a couple of years now and have lived in the village all of my life. I am the fifth generation in a family farming business based in Charsfield, my family have been farming here since 1877. We grow wheat, barley, apples, pears, plums & blackcurrants (for Ribena), as well as diversifying into shepherds huts for holiday lets. Outside of work, I am married with one young daughter and I play hockey for Ipswich.

Cathy Laird (Councillor) Living in the village for over 25 years and a member the parish council for several years, it has been a delight to see the community spirit thrive whatever water, traffic, frustrations over facilities, etc. can throw at us!

I recently retired from teaching and I am enjoying a time of reflection as I start on my next adventure. People say you never know how you found the time to work and I am beginning to understand this as I say yes to new opportunities.

Sally Haird (Councillor)

I was born and brought up in Charsfield and returned to the village in 2016 following a career teaching in various counties.Chris and I lived in California in the US for 7 years where I volunteered at the St Vincent de Paul Free Dining Room. I now occupy my time with voluntary work locally including St Elizabeth Hospice in the Compassionate Conversations team and at the Suffolk Community Foundation. I became a councillor in 2021.

Alex Ward (Councillor)

I am a member of Charsfield Parish Council and live in the village with my wife and our two young boys. Having previously lived in Devon and on the west coast of Scotland, I value strong rural communities, and I am passionate about raising my children in a countryside setting. I enjoy cycling, socialising, supporting local initiatives and sports clubs, and I aim to keep things as local as possible in day-to-day village life. I work in healthcare and bring experience in safety, planning and governance to parish matters, with a commitment to helping Charsfield remain a welcoming and well-connected rural community.

Charmaine Jay (Councillor)

I moved to Charsfield in 2019. I live my husband, two daughters, one of whom attends the local school. I am currently taking a career break from working as a qualified social worker. Now I am work for my husband. I enjoy crafting and walking our mischievous puppy when I get spare time (which is not often!). I have never been a councillor before but have feel like I have a good sense of community spirit and am enthusiastic to support Charsfield!

Viviane Ward (Parish Clerk)

I have lived in Charsfield with Steve, my husband, for 6 years now. I recently retired from BT and am now enjoying having more free time to travel, learn French, read, garden, visit the gym and see friends! I wander how I ever had time to work! I am enjoying the challenge of Parish Clerk, especially getting to know more people in the village and understanding how a Parish operates.