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The Beaconsfield Society's Committee consists of the Officers, chairs of Subcommittees responsible for the different activities of the Society and other elected members. The Officers consist of the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer who are eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting for a maximum period of five years. The Committee is delighted to have the benefit of advice from Les Davies, our President, who is a former Chairman. The current Committee consists of the following members: |
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John Milne, Chair My wife and I moved to Beaconsfield in 1990 when my employer relocated their offices to the north-west of London. We chose to live in Beaconsfield because of the beautiful countryside in the surrounding Chiltern Hills and the ease of access to London. Several overseas postings followed and we returned to Beaconsfield permanently in 2018. I am a geologist by training and have worked in several local companies overseas. During this time I participated in establishing a business school, including being a member of the Board, and strengthening and lecturing in geology departments in various universities. I have also contributed to improving the lives of children in local orphanages. I have always had a keen interest in the natural environment. I joined the Beaconsfield Society six years ago to participate in Beaconsfield cultural life and because I was concerned about the potential reduction in the Green Belt around Beaconsfield which so strongly contributes to our quality of life. I am a strong believer that towns have to evolve through time as has happened successfully in Beaconsfield while maintaining or enhancing the surrounding natural environment. I was invited to join the Society Planning Team four years ago and have been involved in various campaigns to save the Green Belt, particularly to the East of Beaconsfield. Most recently I have been a member of the team preparing the Society’s response to the Bucks Council Local Plan consultation. I am married to Hilary and we have 3 sons living and working in the UK. I enjoy travel, skiing and walking in the Chiltern Hills. |
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Les Davies, President We have lived in Beaconsfield since 1983 when my employment with a blue-chip multi-national healthcare company brought me to the area. My children were educated in Holtspur and my support for the school’s parent association drew me into service in the local community. My wife is a retired teacher, my son is serving with the Army and my daughter lives and teaches locally. I served on Beaconsfield Town Council for 20 years and was Mayor in 1998-99. I have seen many changes in the town and like to think that I have contributed to improvements such as replacing roadside trees, upgrading children’s playgrounds and installing CCTV in the town. Conservation of the built and natural environment is important to me and I am a keen allotment gardener. I have been involved with the impressive Holtspur Bank Local Nature Reserve since it was designated in 1995 and I am an active Friend of Holtspur Bank. My willingness to get involved with the local community and an interest in healthcare has led to an understanding of the challenges faced by community groups, the voluntary sector and local government in delivering high quality value added services. I have been Chairman of Holtspur Scouts, was a governor of Holtspur School for 10 years and was a member of the Buckinghamshire Primary Care Patient and Public Involvement Forum for four years. I have been a member of the Beaconsfield Society since 1998 and was its Chairman 1999-2004. I have also served as its Vice-President before being appointed President in 2008. I am also Chairman of Carers Bucks, a Buckinghamshire charity which provides support to unpaid family carers, and a member of the Woodlands District Scouts. |
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Alison Wheelhouse After reading Law at King's College London, I practised as a solicitor in the City of London for many years before moving to Beaconsfield where I have lived for the past 25 years. I have more recently worked in Maidenhead as Head of Property for a firm of solicitors and now work as a Consultant solicitor specialising in property and planning law. I led the Society's highly successful Save Our Green Belt Campaign for the past 10 years, opposing the (now withdrawn) Local Plan which sought to develop 117 hectares of Beaconsfield Green Belt for a business park, a housing estate of 1600 homes and a travellers' site. The Plan was defeated and as we wait to see what shape a new Bucks Local Plan will take, my particular interest is in protecting our Green Belt and keeping residents informed about planning issues in the town. I am very proud of our fantastic Committee who work so hard as volunteers to keep our town an attractive place to live and also our wonderful members. I aim to keep our community at the heart of what we do and protect the special character of Beaconsfield. I have two sons and in my spare time I am a keen rugby supporter, enjoy cinema and exploring our beautiful countryside. |
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I lived and worked in London for nearly 20 years before moving out to Beaconsfield 10 years ago with my husband and two young daughters. We were drawn to Beaconsfield’s history, beautiful countryside and sense of community, and after getting involved in the Vision for Beaconsfield project I joined the Beaconsfield Society committee to continue to support and preserve the things I love about living here. I am a strong advocate of volunteering and community engagement, both personally and through my career in HR and business management, and am keen to help in promoting these through the Society. |
Rachel Ferguson