Dorset Youth

I was raised in North Dorset. My father, from a family with a strong military tradition, settled in the County on retirement from the Army in 1949. I was educated in Dorset and Devon, and emigrated to New Zealand in 1970 to work for the Auckland Herd Improvement Association at the age of 20 and gained my Private Pilot’s Licence whilst working in that country.

Returning to the UK after my two year contract was completed; I applied to join the Army with a view to flying. I was Commissioned into the Army as one of the first direct-entry Army Air Corps Pilots and served in West Germany, United Nations Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Canada and finally as Second in Command of 16 Flight Army Air Corps in Cyprus before retiring at the end of this Short Service Commission. I continued as a Territorial Army Pilot until 1982.

On retiring from the Army, I returned to the family farm near Iwerne Minster in North Dorset and diversified my farming activities with an interest in running several Game Shooting enterprises.

Drawn into local politics for four years 1989/93 when elected to be the Dorset County Council Member for Blandford Forum, I became Vice-Chairman of the Education Committee but did not stand for re-election in 1993. However, I returned to local politics on election to the North Dorset District Council in 1999 serving as Leader for the first four and a half years. Standing for Dorset County Council again in 2001, I became Deputy Leader from 2002 to 2006 and then Leader for the seven years between 2006 and 2013. In 2013 I stood down from local politics.

Whilst serving within Local Government in Dorset, for five years I also Chaired the Strategic Leaders Board for the South West that became South West Councils, and represented the South West on the Local Government Association’s Executive Board. I was also Chairman of the Dorset Olympic Board (2006 - 2012) with responsibility for the delivery of the Olympic Sailing Events in Weymouth and Portland in summer 2012.

In January 2014 I was appointed by The Queen to represent Her Majesty as Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset.

I live with my wife Carola in Iwerne Minster and have two daughters. My interests include; Archaeology, History, Country Sports and Writing.

Dorset Youth Association has a proud history of supporting the young people of Dorset. It is vitally important that such organisations are supported so that they can continue to improve the life chances of our youth. It is a huge honour to be their President.

I was born in Manchester but from an early age moved around the country – school in Cumbria, university in London and the world during a 34 year career in the British Army. I have lived in Dorset since 2003.

My military career was spent with The Queen’s Royal Hussars, the early years of which were largely spent in Germany in the days of the Cold War; and I saw active service in Cyprus, Beirut and the first Gulf War. I commanded my regiment, based in Germany 2000-2002, and led it through a six month deployment to Kosovo. Shortly after command I was promoted to Colonel and undertook two assignments in Dorset and my final military appointment was as the Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Kabul 2012-2014. After the Army I was first the Chambers Director for a family law barristers’ set in London and subsequently the Clerk of the Worshipful Company of Engineers.

I have been associated with the DYA since serving as the Commander of the Armour Centre and Bovington Garrison in 2008. In challenging times, the vision, and objectives of the DYA are just as important as they have been throughout its 70-year history. I am pleased to help in the charity’s governance.

I have lived in Dorset for over 20 years with my wife & family and originally moved to the area due to my work in the Watercress Industry. I studied at Writtle agricultural college and prior to that was an early user of the YTS Vocational Scheme in 1991 after leaving school and gaining employment in horticulture. I have a keen interest in the fulfilment potential and opportunity provided to youngsters both in and out of school but also in those transitional years between leaving school and further education and full-time employment. My role in business has allowed me to gain invaluable experience on how youngsters can integrate into employment and succeed through vocational training and achieve and exceed in personal improvement and happiness.

I joined Dorset Youth Association as a Trustee in 2009 and I feel most honoured to be Chair of this organisation since 2011. I have lived in the great County of Dorset all my life. I left school at the age of 16years to become a Police Cadet and joined the Force as a Constable in 1969. I served in Poole, Lyme Regis and Bridport and in 1981 I became a specialist Juvenile Liaison Officer. This involved working in a multi-disciplinary setting with both professional and voluntary organisations. I retired from the Dorset Police in 1999 and became a Dyslexia Therapist working in local schools. Although retiring some four years ago I still have a private practice.

I started voluntary youth work in 1966 when I helped run a Cub Pack. I eventually became a Group Scout Leader. Over the years I have supported young people in a variety of ways. I have run a Church Youth Group, been a manager of some County Youth Clubs, a school Governor, Chairman of the Board for a local prep-school, and Child Protection Officer for Dorset Athletic Association and also St John Ambulance.

I am engaged in other charitable work. I am a Director of Dorchester Football Club, now a Community Club, A Lay Minister in the Church of England and President of the Dorchester Disabled Association.

I believe in investing in young people, especially those who are disadvantaged in some way. This is just one way we can ensure a healthy future for our society.

The treasurer role for Dorset Youth is currently vacant. If you are interested or would like some more information about the role, please email info@dorsetyouth.com

Hi, my name is Nola. I am proud to be a trustee for Dorset Youth from September 2023.

I currently work as the NEETs Re-engagement Manager at Weymouth College and am part of the Safeguarding team. I work with NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people that have been out of education or find mainstream very overwhelming due to their mental health. I do my best, with my team, to give them tools and skills needed to build resilience and re-engage with education, employment or training. I am person centred, and create a bespoke and tailored programme to meet the needs of those I support. I have also completed my CET Level 4 so teach within my current role. Using the resilience framework, I have developed a programme that incorporates regulated and non-regulated learning, with progression to achieve a qualification.

I am also responsible for the delivery and expansion of the RSPH Young Health Champions qualification throughout Dorset, which enables young people to train to become Peer Mentors, as well as gives them skills and knowledge around health and resilience. I also run a T-Group at Weymouth college for our Male Trans students which I am immensely proud of, and am Practice Supervisor for our Social Work Students that come on placement from Bournemouth and Southampton Uni.

I achieved a 1^st class Hons in BSc Psychology back in 2005, which underpins much of the work I do today. In 2016, I trained as a Social Worker and I have 22years experience of working with young people and their families in a variety of backgrounds. I am passionate about the youth voices and empowering the next generation. I also have an assistant dog called Charity that works at the college supporting anxious students, and occasionally taking their socks off to show off.

Outside of work, I manage a netball club with two teams which I absolutely love and is like an extended and wonderful family. I love sea swimming, longs walks and spending time with my friends and family. The sea is my happy place and I feel very blessed to have the life I do.