1. Yvette Elliott  - Chair

Yvette has lived in Widecombe all her life and has been both self-employed and employed since graduating.  Responsibilities included project management, volunteer management, project administration and book-keeping, staff management and directorship of limited companies. Some experience of construction projects with joint responsibility for the budgets, planning and delivery of these.

Yvette has undertaken regular voluntary work since 2000, becoming a charity trustee in 2003, holding positions of Secretary, Vice-Chair and Chair of various organisations. She was a former member of both the Leusdon Memorial Hall and Church House Management Committees. As a Chair & trustee at the local Pre-school over a 7 year period, responsibilities also included staff management.

As a member, and the current Chair, of Widecombe Parish Council, there are clear links with community activities and plans.

 

2. Polly McAfee - Vice-Chair

Polly is a freelance counsellor and group facilitator who lives in the parish with her partner and children. She brings previous experience as co-founder of The Funding Network charity and trustee of The Nature Effect. She has also substantially renovated a property and run a small, part time arts venue.

 

3. Sarah Reeve  - Secretary

Sarah has lived in the area for 21 years and has experience of voluntary work on local committees including two Village Halls (Treasurer) and Pre-School & Primary School fundraising committee (Chair & Treasurer).

Sarah’s Employment background is in Graphic Design, Photography and Book keeping.  Sarah’s hobbies include Photography & Music.

 

4. Chris Elliott - Trustee

Chris has lived in the village for the past 18 years and in his working life as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer has been an employee and Owner/Director of renewable energy businesses. He has run many civil engineering projects of a similar scale to the construction of a village hall.  This covered aspects such as seeking planning permission, detailed design and contract management.  Chris has first-hand experience of how these projects often have diverse stakeholders with differing opinions and aims.

Chris has been a trustee of a local Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), and also on the Finance and HR sub-committee of the same organisation - a MAT of 8 schools.  He has been Chair of Governors at the Primary School and is a trustee of the Widecombe Education Foundation, a small grant awarding organisation.

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5. Alan Peake - Trustee

Alan has lived in the area for 40 years.  From 1963 to 2010 he worked in the construction industry both in the UK and Overseas.  Positions held include Technical Director & General Manager of companies in Africa and the Middle East.

For the last 20+ years Alan has worked as a Consultant Project Manager in the UK & Ireland for civil engineering and building projects.  He has experience of project planning, financial control, health and safety and risk management.

Alan was a Governor of Dartington College of Arts for 5 years until the college moved from Totnes to Falmouth

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6. Lloyd Mortimore - Trustee

Lloyd is a farmer born and bred in the parish of Widecombe, living with his wife Rosemary with whom he has always been heavily involved in village activities. They are currently a trustee and secretary of the village’s existing Church House.

As an organic beef farmer with the practical skills that that go with the job, Lloyd is able to offer a practical and common-sense approach to this project. He is involved with the Widecombe Fair event each year, a retired Parish councillor and on numerous advisory groups within and including the Dartmoor National Park Authority.

Lloyd is a firm believer in cooperative spirit, being involved with many such groups in the farming circle and has always been involved in the Young Farmers Movement being a member, leader and finally being their President, as the years have progressed.

Hobbies include the local drama group, stone engraving and trying to master a sense of humour!

7. Chris Mayhead - Trustee

Chris has lived in Widecombe for 26 years. His employment background is in hotel and estate management and he served on the industry advisory board for South Devon College. As an estate manager he has been responsible for numerous building projects and maintenance, commercial lettings of multiple properties, security and hospitality. More recent experience has focused on auditing of quality, health & safety and environmental management systems, product security and export controls. 

Chris was a governor at Widecombe Primary School for six years, a member of the local history group and regular Merrymakers member. Hobbies include walking, tennis, sailing and riding

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8. Iain Russell - Trustee

Iain is a relative newcomer to Dartmoor having only lived on the moor since 2020. He has worked in the property & construction industry for over 20 years, mainly focused on the residential sector. With a passion for sustainability and wildlife, Iain’s businesses incorporate a strong environmental ethos. He sits on the ZSL NextGen committee, advising on new projects and fundraising initiatives. 

When relaxing Iain likes to spend time with his family. He also enjoys trail running, climbing, dog walking, wildlife observation, cooking and reading. Last year heralded his first run-in with the Merrymakers!

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