The Parish Council is the initiator of this project. The Directors were selected from people living or working in the Parish who expressed an interest by responding to the call for volunteer Directors. The focus for selection was on what experience people could offer. We were looking for demonstration of one or more of the following from each.
Cathy grew up living in Gwithian and attended Connor Downs and Hayle Schools before going onto further education and receiving an Honours Degree in Business from Bath University giving her an excellent background in all aspects of business and the opportunity to work with some blue chip companies.
On graduation she returned to Cornwall and worked for J & F Pool Ltd in Hayle before joining Lloyds TSB Bank where she has worked for the last 13 years, mainly in the Business and Corporate Divisions covering Devon and Cornwall. Her knowledge of the needs of local businesses and societies is excellent and she has experience of assessing and fulfilling applications for funding from all business sectors.
Cathy was elected Chair of Governors at Gwinear Community Primary School in September 2013 and is particularly proud of the accolades the School receives for their hard work on sustainability; she sits on the Sustainability Committee to help ensure that the School community as a whole understands its importance for the future.
She has also Chaired the Committee of Busy Bodies PreSchool in Gwinear for nearly 3 years and fulfils the role of Treasurer for the Hayle RFC Mini Juniors, a Club the whole family is involved with! An enthusiastic member, Officer and Advisory member of Praze and District YFC for the last 20 years Cathy has years of experience with local community groups and is passionate about ensuring their long term success and by extension the survival of the community she has been an active part of all of her life.
Diana moved to Gwinear with her husband Charles in 1972 and has played an active part in the community and village life ever since. She is Charles’ business partner and has a BA hons degree in Historical and Cultural Studies from Exeter University.
As Financial Director of Charles Hall Jewellers, she has been instrumental in controlling major corporate commissions and many church commissions across the UK. In over 40 years of joint business partnership, she and Charles founded The Bear Essential restaurant in Truro (Good Food Guide 1977 & 1978) and managed a sporty toyshop and helped open Charles Hall Jewellers in Hayle. She now manages their joint ventures which form their pensions.
Her engagement with the community at large is demonstrated by her work with Independent Age (as a CRB checked visitor), former school governor of Roskear School in Camborne, previous committee work with Action Research for Children, and PCC member for over 30 years. She brings to the GGCSF an analytical approach as well as a vision for how the community might best be served through the distribution of funds. She is good at interacting with people of all ages and never afraid to voice her own opinion.
Rosemarie, together with her husband David have had the privilege of owning, living and running Parbola Holiday Park at Wall since December 1987. During that time her energies have been devoted to running the park, whilst giving as much time as possible to their family of four children and their immensely varied interests.
Her children all attended Gwinear Primary School, then moved on to the two local secondary schools Camborne Community School and Hayle Community School. For many years she was a parent governor at both Gwinear and Hayle School.
Rosemarie has sat on varying tourism committees e.g West Cornwall Tourism Committee and was vice chair of HOCTA (Heart of Cornwall Tourism Association). She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and is a chartered marketeer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
For a number of years she was also a chaperone and helper at Kidzrus the children’s theatre group in St Ives.
Jenny is very active in a number of local organisations, notably Gwinear School where three of her 5 grandchildren attend, and where she is joint vice chair.
Jenny is a member of Gwinear Gwithian Parish Council and is currently involved with the installation of Defibrillators in strategic positions around the Parish. She is also Chairman of Gwinear Villages Association which for many years has helped to bring together members of the community via an annual outing, a tea party and provision towards Christmas parties for children, together with a monthly magazine.
Recently Jenny became involved with Pen Tye Residents Association, she also supports the ‘Living Well’ project which is an AgeUK initiative working with vulnerable or frail members of the community to help reduce loneliness and thereby improve their health and well being.
David Simmons owns Riviera Produce which is based in Connor Downs. David is the 5th generation to be farming in West Cornwall and his son Tom is now in the business. David sits on various industry boards and committees, and as a very proud Cornishman has promoted Cornwall at many local and national events.
Riviera Produce farms over 8,000 acres in Cornwall supplying the major supermarkets with brassicas and courgettes, employing over 500 people. Riviera works with local schools promoting horticulture in Cornwall to both primary and secondary schools. Riviera sponsors many local organisations including food banks, as well as the national Vegpower scheme which encourages primary school children to eat more vegetables.
Riviera Produce is passionate about sustainable farming, growing cover crops, companion crops and using minimum tillage cultivations to improve soil health and the environment. Riviera is trialling methane and HVO tractors, uses solar panels and has a Ground Source Heat Pump to reduce its carbon impact on the environment.
Jane grew up on her parent’s dairy farm in St Hilary, she attended the local college and obtained a degree in business and finance through Plymouth University. Jane is the managing director at Southern England Farms Ltd where she has been head of HR and welfare for the last 28 years. Southern England Farms (SEF) grows over 7000 acres of Cornish brassicas and courgettes for the major retailers and export market. Jane has undertaken numerous courses alongside her work to better her understanding of workplace employment and staff welfare as well as undertaking qualifications in employment and immigration law and obtaining a distinction in NEBOSH Environmental Management. Jane has always had a passion for sailing since her days as a member of Mounts Bay Sailing Club and in 2019 undertook the huge challenge of sailing around the world in the Clipper Round the World Race. Unfortunately, her endeavour was cut short in the Philippines due to COVID but this didn’t stop people donating generously to her charity of choice, Cornwall Hospice Care. Jane is hoping to complete the race in the near future.
Having served Cornwall as a Commercial Bank Manager for Lloyds Bank for 15 years prior to join the Family Firm in 2002, this provided an excellent grounding for a Directorship. Whilst in the Bank, I was seconded to SWIG to be main administrator for the Rural Growth Fund at its creation in 1995. This fund successfully helped businesses looking to expand and create employment. I live locally and am passionate for helping local projects succeed.
The role of the Directors is to ensure…..
The Advisory Consultants are a group of professionals who will offer technical and specialised advice to the Directors on specific applications made.
Currently our consultants are : Jessica Cornish, Michael Lloyd, Fiona Tate and Stephen Hird.
Administrator for Gwinear Gwithian Sustainable Community Fund
Independent Examiner for Gwinear Gwithian Sustainable Community Fund
Francis Clark LLP, Lowin House, Tregolls Road, Truro, TR1 2NA
Borlase & Co. Solicitors, 45 Coinagehall Street, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 8EU
If you are interested in becoming either a Director or an Advisory Consultant please get in touch
