Councillors

Geoff Hand

When I was interviewed at County Hall in 1974, I was warned that if we moved here we would never want to move anywhere else – a forecast that has proved happily true!

After taking early retirement from the Education Department as a result of having M.E., I enjoyed a new involvement in local activities and I have been a school governor at two Chichester schools including Portfield Community Primary School where I am currently Chair of Governors. I am also an Associate Governor Trainer.

I was a late recruit to parish council work – and was surprised to discover how much Fishbourne Parish Council was doing to maintain and develop the quality of life in the village. Somehow, I soon found myself involved in preparing a bid to the Big Lottery Fund in support of the Fishbourne Community Project and it has been really rewarding to work with so many enthusiastic supporters in the village – a real “community” project. As co-ordinator of the Village Plan 2010-14, I appreciate the commitment that so many of our residents have to Fishbourne and I am particularly grateful to our hard-working task groups.

Andy Relf

I came to Chichester in 1980 as the Police Traffic Inspector until I was promoted and worked as Chief Inspector Uniformed Operations at Police HQ at Lewes. In that role I have been involved in the planning and operation of a large number of events and for Force wide contingency planning for major incidents.  I was transferred to traffic to be national organiser and convoy command for the Tour de France, and finished my career in Brighton Command.      I worked for the Association of Chief Constables Traffic Committee for many years and post Hillsborough I was co-opted onto a Home Office working party on the safety of events outside of stadiums. When I retired I became secretary of the committee and Author of the national Small and Sporting Events Safety Guide that has now been incorporated into the HSE documentation.     I also operated many of the national sporting events as route director and safety officer before retiring.  These include the 2^nd Tour de France visit, London Triathlon, Liverpool Triathlon, Manchester Marathon, Tour of Britain Cycle Race etc, and test events for the London Olympics.     I do have a breadth of experience that I feel could be of benefit to the Parish Council, and for many years have worked for Geoff Hand on the Infrastructure Committee on traffic matters.    I was involved with Lynda Hunter on the BABA27 initiative, as I have been involved since 1980 and have asked questions and made presentations to the District Council on our highway Problems and infrastructure to fight the building demands.

Helen Marshall

I have been living  in Fishbourne for just over 8 years and before that I lived in Chichester.  My immediate family also live locally .. so I am pretty much rooted in this part of the world.

My professional background is in retail…where I have spent 25 years or so working with many high street brands, mainly on the operations and commercial side.

I have a huge interest in wildlife and the environment and am actively involved in a number of local wildlife conservation projects here in Fishbourne.

I also love walking and cycling  – especially around the harbour and in the nearby South Downs National Park.

Whilst living here in Fishbourne, I have found the enthusiasm and commitment to village life to be very inspiring. This lead me to want to be more involved and I am really looking forward to doing my bit to support the village.

Richard Bates

My family moved to Fishbourne in 1974 and has lived here ever since. I graduated from university with a Law degree but chose not to practise. Instead I got a postgraduate degree in Modern Drama, then started a small publishing business 30 years ago. Books, authors and publishing are my career, and it has taken me around the world. I enjoy designing books as well as other print publications.
When my dad developed dementia I closed my office in London to become his full-time caregiver. I kept him in the family home and looked after him until he passed away. Since then I have re-engaged in the local community. We have always taken an interest in local issues, especially planning and the environment. Spare time activities include theatre, music and cycling.

Paul Stone

I moved to Fishbourne with my wife Sue in 1997 whilst serving in the Royal Navy as an electrical and electronic engineer. During my 22-year service in the Royal Navy I travelled extensively, and I continue to enjoy travelling. I am an active member and President of the Chichester Branch of the Royal Naval Association.

I started archery approximately five years ago at the Bourne 55 Archery Club, who shoot in Southbourne Community College. Last year I qualified as a coach as I help with the clubs’ beginner courses and various “have a go sessions”. I have also joined a local gym to improve my general fitness.

I have recently reduced my working hours in preparation for early retirement. I volunteered to become a Parish Councillor so that I can use my newly obtained spare time to help support my local community.

David Copestake

My wife Gill and I moved to Fishbourne in late 2018 having spent the previous 14 years in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I am Chartered Electrical Engineer having worked in various roles in the UK electrical distribution and supply industry. In 2003 I moved to Abu Dhabi to work for the UAE government as Managing Director of the Transmission power and water company. Having spent 13 years helping to develop the UAE Power and Water sector I set up as an independent Asset Management consultant initially in the middle east then in Europe and South America. Now happily retired I enjoy the more sedate easy life of cycling, gym, keeping fit and travelling. With my engineering business experience and having worked in multifunctional and diverse teams I hope to bring many complementary benefits to support the local community as a parish councillor.

Lynda Hunter

I have been married for nearly 34 years and we have 2 sons of 25 and 27 who both live and work around the Camberley area where my husband and I moved in 2015.

I was a senior Management Consultant and Project Manager for over 25 years working with various private and public organisations helping to improve the way they work.

Now semi retired, and enjoying this new life in Fishbourne, joining the Parish Council has opened up a new field of interest and an opportunity for me to get involved in Village life.

I am now a member of the Fishbourne Tennis club and recently joined the Hunston Golf Club, both of which are new challenges and are taking time to gain some level of proficiency. I also enjoy walking in and around the harbour, canal and the local areas in both rain and shine.

Adam Porter

I have lived in Fishbourne since 2003. I was a founder member of the committee of the Flavian Fields Residents’ Association in 2006, and have been chairman  since 2009. I have also been part of the Fishbourne Infrastructure Panel.

I work in London as a broadcast journalist for the BBC network radio. Spare time is spent on our narrowboat, which is moored in Northamptonsire.

Gary Mason

Adrian Moss

Adrian moved to Fishbourne in 1993 and raised his family in the village.  His children attended school in Fishbourne and he has been continually involved in the local community.  He was elected to the Parish Council, served on the Fishbourne Playing Fields Association, and was first elected to the District Council in 2003 standing down in 2011.  He is committed to working across the community to ensure Fishbourne remains a village and retains its sense of community.  He is a committed environmentalist.  When not at work or on Council duty he enjoys sailing his boat, which is kept in Chichester Harbour

Richard Bates

My family moved to Fishbourne in 1974 and has lived here ever since. I graduated from university with a Law degree but chose not to practise. Instead I got a postgraduate degree in Modern Drama, then started a small publishing business 30 years ago. Books, authors and publishing are my career, and it has taken me around the world. I enjoy designing books as well as other print publications.
When my dad developed dementia I closed my office in London to become his full-time caregiver. I kept him in the family home and looked after him until he passed away. Since then I have re-engaged in the local community. We have always taken an interest in local issues, especially planning and the environment. Spare time activities include theatre, music and cycling.

Stephen Johnson

I have lived in Chidham for 40 years. I am married, with children and grandchildren living in Bosham. I have always been interested and involved in the Environment, the Harbour, the local church and community. I have been chair of Maybush Copse Friends since it started in 2009. Maybush Copse is a community woodland in Chidham. Active concerns about inappropriate development, and an interest in planning are a natural consequence. I am a member C&H Parish Council and recently elected to the District Council, and Chair of the Planning Committee. I am the CDC member of the Harbour Conservancy, and enjoy sailing when I can.

Julian Joy

Julian Joy has lived in Chichester all his life, apart from his University years. His first school was Chichester Lancastrian Infants moving through to Chichester High School for Boys where his father, Paul Joy, was his Art Teacher.  With three sisters and two brothers, they were raised in the now St Martins Tea Rooms so it’s very nostalgic for him to go back and have a cup of tea in his old living room. Julian’s mother was a nurse at St Richard’s Hospital where he worked at the age of 16 for a year as a hospital porter. He was thinking of medicine before architecture at the time – he went to Chichester College for A-Levels.

He works in the health sector creating master plans and estate rationalisations for County Primary and Mental Health Trusts and is a Design Quality Indicator Assessor for the Construction Industry Council.

Julian is Deputy Mayor of Chichester City Council and a Trustee for the Business 2 Schools Charity. He plays the classical guitar, loves sailing and watching his three sons grow into men. His partner is a National Theatre Actress and CNS Nurse.