HOTV Management Committee
A Community Benefit Society like Heart of the Village is run by a Management Committee. Initially this committee consisted of those who signed the application for registration and others appointed by them, but from June 2020 the Management Committee has been elected by the Members. According to the Rules of the Society (10.4), those elected at the first election will serve for between one and three years depending on the size of their vote, with an election being held at the Annual Members’ Meeting each year to elect (or re-elect) members of the committee on a rolling basis.
The members of the Management Committee as of the 2024 Annual Members’ meeting were as follows.
Paul Fielding (resigned)
Paul has made his mark on the village in many ways since his retirement in 2010, including as Village Hall and Scouts Treasurer, driver for Stoke St Gregory meals and refurbishment volunteer at the pub.
Simon Bale (Chair)
Simon has been the vicar of St. Gregory’s Church (and also of North Curry, Lyng and Burrowbridge) since February 2021. His vision is one of inclusion and encouragement. Simon has a background of community development and was elected in 2024.
Marilyn Clarke (resigned)
Marilyn has been involved with HOTV from the first public meeting of HOTV, recruiting, organising and supporting the first group of volunteers, acting for several years as volunteer coordinator, and setting up the Three Rings on-line system. A regular volunteer in the shop, Marilyn was elected in 2024.
Susan Crabbe (resigned)
Susan has lived in Stoke St Gregory for 12 years and volunteered in the early
days of HOTV. After some years running A & E departments, she moved into project management, mainly managing the rebuilding of NHS and independent hospitals. Susan was elected in 2024.
Tom Duxbury (resigned)
Tom and Vicky Duxbury came to Stoke with their two children over 20 years ago and have all been very involved in village life. Tom brings a wealth of experience in business to the committee, to which he was elected in 2023
Dave Evans (Secretary)
Having served on the first elected HOTV committeee, Dave was re-elected in 2024. He has volunteered over the last four years. He has been involved in various community projects during the 44 years he and Sarah have lived in Stoke.
Martin Keswick (resigned)
Martin move to Somerset with his wife Alison in 1986, living in Stoke since 2001. His background is in mechanical engineering with an extensive experience of company management. He is skilled in metalwork, runs a Somerset motorcycle club as well as being a director of its national organisation.
Julie Monro (resigned)
Julie has lived in the village for 13 years, and has recently stepped back from a busy corporate career. She has a background in food production, including senior management experience. Julie was elected in 2024.
Mary Nash (Treasurer)
Mary was born in the village and after a distinguished career in the RAF has returned to her roots.
Emma Simon (resigned)
Emma lives above the pub with her two boys. She also has wide experience in care homes and is thus in a position to contribute some unique insights to the committee, to which she was elected to in 2023.
Sam Smith (resigned)
Sam and Mark Smith have lived in Stoke since 2010 and Sam was elected in 2024. Her experience includes leadership of large teams, setting high levels of customer service and strategic planning.
The members of the first elected Management Committee in 2020 were
Graham Gleed (Chair)
Mike Blair (Vice-Chair)
David Crabbe (Treasurer)
John Davison (Operations Manager)
Chris Reah (community Liaison) co-opted 20 July 2020
Nick Sloan (Secretary)
Dave Evans resigned from the Management Committee on 11 July 2020, and Heather Venn on 15 July 2020.
