Chairlady

I have lived in the Rayleigh area all my life with the brief exception of living in Spain for 5 years.  I have been a dancer for the past 50 years and have taught many different styles including Ballroom and Latin American, line and sequence dancing. I currently teach ballroom dancing in couples and in singles in many halls around the area. My Dancers love the huge new amazing dance floor at Ashingdon Memorial Hall which is brilliant for any type of dancing.  Such a rarity and to think it’s right here on our doorstep! I very much look forward to running events to help fund the ongoing improvements in the hall!

Vice Chairlady

I have worked as a volunteer at the hall for a couple of years now with my husband.  As the hall was in need of some Trustees to keep it running for the community I decided to step up.

I instigated the Giggle Patrol with Lin and Helen and so far it has definitely supported our community with so much laughter. I arranged a Tuck Shop called 'Summer Daze' this Summer to raise the profile of the hall and to offer some sustenance to the community whilst entertaining their children at a reasonable price.

I look forward to continuing bringing the profile of the hall to the forefront of the community,

Bookings Manager and Charity Administrator  

I have worked at the hall since 2020.  I started during Covid as a Representative Trustee to help keep the hall running for the community.  I offered my skills and qualifications to build an online presence and booking system with Hallmaster,

In 2023 the Hall employed me to run the Hallmaster system as it was taking so many hours of my time.  So I stepped down as Trustee and became Charity Administrator.

In my role I arrange all the hires within the hall, design the website, control the CCTV, design any artwork that we may need, and automate the hall so it can be run as remotely as we can.  This enables Trustees and volunteers can still have a home life.

Council Representative Trustee

I have lived in Hockley for 50 years, and have been a Ashingdon Parish Councillor for 4 years.

I am newly elected to be the Parish Councillor representing the Council on the board of Trustees for the Memorial Hall.

I look forward to supporting the other Trustees, in their sterling efforts to improve the hall and ensure it is a valuable asset to the local community.

Legal Support 

As Ashingdon Residents of nearly 30 years, my wife and I have loved being able to have the use of the hall and the park to assist us in bringing up our son and three daughters. 

I found myself the chair of a very talented and committed team who are doing their best to ensure the Ashingdon and East Hawkwell Memorial Hall is a village hall for our local community, run by our community, for the benefit of our community.  Moreover, our aim is that it should again be the venue of choice and a central hub for our community.

My aim since my election to the role of Chairman has been to bring the community together by bringing the hall back to it’s former glory so that my grandchildren can have the same pleasure. 

Bringing the hall back will be a big job, it needs a dedicated team, and it needs all of you, your views, your support and your time. It also needs money, lots of money, far more than has been achieved heretofore.  The new team have already secured two grants, one for equipment and one to repair and refurbish our beautiful dance floor.  We have some super plans and I am looking forward to sharing them with you.  I hope you will join us on our journey. 

Fund Raising Events Organiser

An Ashingdon resident for 14 years with a total of 37 years living and working in the Rochford District. Dance Instructor with Mrs Dickie Bows School of Retro Dance and regular hall user. Retired from full time work, worked for Rochford District Council at Rayleigh and Rochford also local secondary school before moving on to a work based learning provider. However, Dance is where her heart lies. She has many years of dancing Jive and has taught many people to dance over the last 8 years within the local area being involved in many events locally for charity with display dancing. The floor in the Ashingdon Hall is amazing and definitely one of the best you will find in the area, there really are not many left of this size and quality. Very excited for the recent refurbishment of the floor and hope to see it put to its best use for the local community.

Trustee

I am a retired nurse of 47 years. The last 21 years of which I ran  a health service for students. As a specialist nurse practitioner I worked within the University but alongside the NHS in providing healthcare and support for the student community. I was also the safeguarding lead for the University.

I moved to Ashingdon from London 12 years ago and the hall has played a big part in helping me fit into the community. I am happy to be part of the team of trustees to help promote our community hall and raise funds to make the improvements needed.

Trustee

A Life Built One Brick at a Time

I’ve spent most of my life as a general builder, getting my hands dirty, fixing things up, and helping shape the homes and streets of the local area. These days, I’m semi-retired, which means I get to enjoy life at a more relaxed pace—though I’m never too far from a toolbox when someone needs a hand.

Over the years, I’ve worked on everything from humble garden walls to full-on home renovations. I’ve always believed in doing the job right—no shortcuts, just solid, honest work. That mindset’s earned me more than just a living; it’s earned me friendships, trust, and a real connection to the community.

When I’m not helping out with the odd project, you’ll usually find me out on two wheels—either on my motorcycle, touring through the countryside, or pedaling down quiet country lanes on my bicycle. There’s something about the open road, whether powered by engine or leg, that clears the mind and stirs the soul.

Life’s been a good ride so far—and I’m still enjoying every mile of it

Trustee

I am a Retired Mechanical Engineer, Manager, Director and Linguist in the Aviation and Telecomms Industries.

My work was in the Aviation Industry with airlines and aircraft maintenance and in Telecoms, radio and radar with Marconi. In later years, I translated aviation technical manuals.