David graduated from Sheffield University with a BA (Econ) Hons and married his soulmate, Joyce.  He was awarded a Postgraduate Scholarship, which 50 years later led to the publication in 3 volumes – the History of Frys of Bristol, 1728-1935.

For the first half of his career he was employed in the Electricity Generating Industry, with a two year gap as a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield. David has followed a number of varied career paths and opportunities: working on the privatisation of the mining industry, seconded to work in the USA on comparative workforce analysis and Group Personnel Manager – North National Power.  Appointed Head of Personnel and then Director of Personnel for West Yorkshire Police, he moved to Birmingham to take up the first civilian role for West Midlands Police until he retired (for the first time) in 2010.  He had also been appointed NED for Mid Staffordshire NHS to enquire into malpractices at the trust.

The family sadly lost Joyce in 1998.

David accepted a post with PWC working from Leeds and retired for a second time in 2014 but accepted a position Chairing a Clinical Commissioning Group in North Yorkshire before a third attempt to retire in 2017.

David says that his two daughters have been the joy of his life and now his 7 year old grandson does his level best to exhaust his ageing grandpa!  He has been a trustee for four years at Abbeyfield Ripon and admires the combined effort of all who create a happy and welcoming environment for residents and their families.

Kathryn retired to Ripon with her husband David in 2018.

She was an Occupational Therapist in her working life, based in a hospital with elective surgery patients, assessing them at home prior to surgery and preparing them for their return home.  She then moved into working with patients with acquired brain injury, re-educating them in becoming independent in activities for independent living. She took up a new role on a mental health ward for men with chronic long term conditions where again the emphasis was on independent living and ability to manage their daily activities. 

She has three grandchildren and knitting sweaters for them keeps her busy!  She enjoys gardening, music, cooking and most craft work.  She is a member of Holy Trinity Church in Ripon.

Jan moved to Ripon in 1999, loved the area and chose to stay here.

She spent most of her nursing career as a District Nurse supporting people in their own homes, working locally in Ripon and Nidderdale.  Since 2017 she has enjoyed working part time, nursing palliative care patients on the inpatient unit at a hospice in Harrogate, finding the job very rewarding.

Jan is one of the medical trustees able to use her nursing background and experience to assist with the assessment process and to support residents to live independently at Abbeyfield.

Jan has two grown up children, and a cockapoo dog called Poppy.  Her son and his wife live near Liverpool and her daughter is currently working in Australia.

In her free time, Jan travels to Dorset to visit and support her Mum. She is a member of Holy Trinity Church and enjoys walking, meeting friends, listening to the radio, gardening and visiting gardens and National Trust properties.

After studying Acting at Manchester School of Theatre, Jan followed a number of careers, including as a Police Officer in North Wales, before deciding on her eventual profession as a teacher.  

Jan moved to Yorkshire in 1978 and has made it her home since then.  She has an Honours degree in English from the University of Leeds and an MA in Educational Studies from The University of York.  She has taught in North Leeds but mostly in a large and highly successful secondary school in Harrogate where she was initially Head of Drama and subsequently appointed as Director of Sixth Form and Assistant Headteacher.  In 2014, a new build at the school was opened and named The Sherwood Wing in recognition of her work in the Sixth Form.

Jan is married to husband, Peter and they have two grown up children and three grandchildren.  They have lived in Ripon for 35 years and have loved being part of the Ripon community.  She is an avid reader and is enthusiastic about music, theatre and meeting friends.  She was appointed a trustee at Abbeyfield in February 2022.

Sue had a career in investment management working in the City of London for a national firm of accountants before starting her own financial services and investment management company with her husband David.

Since retiring, Sue has taken up a number of roles in the voluntary sector including helping out at a food bank.  She also volunteers at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal in a number of different areas.  She enjoys meeting visitors and sharing her knowledge of the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in her role as one of the volunteer guides.  Another favourite activity at the property is acting as one of Santa’s elves at Christmas!

When she is not volunteering, Sue is a keen seamstress and leads a fun social group of other keen sewers.  She is never happier than when she is rooting round a fabric or haberdashery shop.  She likes travelling to explore interesting and historic places and learning about the culture of the places she is visiting.

Jan became a Trustee of Abbeyfield, Ripon in December 2022.  Born in London, Jan and her husband have lived and worked across England from Dorset to Cumbria.  They moved to Ripon when Rod retired in 2017.  They have two adult children. Having worked as a teacher and manager in education Jan, ended her working life as a leadership development coach and consultant.  Jan is interested in travel, literature, theatre and music, cooking …. and people!

Jan has learned much from several extended visits overseas, mainly southern Africa, which have enriched her faith, philosophy and perspective on life.

Through the years, Jan has been involved with a range of church, charity and third sector organisations as a Trust and Board member and as the wife of a clergyman she has worked with community, childrens’ and youth groups.

Sandy has lived in Boroughbridge with his wife Christine and dog “Lottie” since 1991.  He spent 45 years in the NHS initially as a registered Mental Health and Registered General Nurse before entering Management in 1973.

During his managerial career Sandy worked in Trusts all over the country including Dorset, Bradford, Coventry and County Durham where he has overseen major shifts in care from Institutions to Community.

His time in the NHS made him aware of the value of facilities such as Abbeyfield Ripon, where residents retain independence whilst coming together for meals and social events.

In his spare time he strives to master the challenges of Ripon Golf Course and is a keen follower of Harrogate Town Football Club.

Paul retired to Ripon with his wife Julie in 2023.

For the last 14 years of his working life Paul was a senior manager for the Council for Voluntary Service.  Although the primary purpose of the organisation was to provide organisation development to local charities and community groups, the organisation also delivered services, where there were gaps in delivery locally.  This included hosting a Youth Cafe and delivering services for older people including Day Opportunities and Befriending.

Paul started his working life as a Primary School Teacher, living in Hereford, before moving to Yorkshire in 1986.  After 6 years working for a Local Authority he moved to a Learning and Development Consultancy, supporting organisations and individuals in areas such as trainer training and management development.

Paul has two grown up children.  His son and his wife live in Darlington and his daughter lives in York.

He regularly travels to Dorset to visit and support his Dad.  Since moving to Ripon he is getting used to retirement, particularly looking forward to exploring North Yorkshire. Paul enjoys walking and is looking forward to working with his wife on their allotment.

He is also a member of Holy Trinity Church in Ripon.