The Councillors

 

CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:  Sarah Brown 

I have been Clerk to the Council for Hopton Wafers since November 2023.  I have lived in the village  since 2001 and together with my husband we have brought our two children up here, who have both attended local schools and are now at University.

 

Hopton House, Hopton Wafers, Cleobury Mortimer, DY14 0NA
Tel: 07729 480201
Email: clerk@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

COUNCILLORS:

Mark Humpage – Chairman

I was born in Wolverhampton in 1961 and became a Parish Councillor in early 2020 having moved to Hopton Wafers village in 2016 from Ludlow where we had lived for over 30 years. I live with my wife Julie and we have three grown up daughters. We enjoy gardening, walking and golf and much of our free time is spent in the beautiful local countryside.

Before retirement in 2019 we had our own financial services business and before that I worked for 30 years for Lloyds Bank.

We have been impressed by the fantastic community spirit in Hopton Wafers village and I felt that by joining the Parish Council I could represent the community and try to have some influence on local matters for the wellbeing of the neighbourhood.

Tel: 07971 603316
Email: mark@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

Sue Turner – Vice-Chair

I have been a member of Hopton Wafers Parish Council since July 2013.

I have lived in the area for 30 years, firstly in Cleobury Mortimer before moving to Hopton Wafers. I live with my husband Nigel who is the 3rd generation of his family to live and work in Hopton Wafers. I have 2 children who have both attended the local schools.

A farmer’s daughter, I was born in Shropshire and I have lived and worked in this lovely rural county most of my life. I have worked at Ludlow and Kidderminster hospitals as a registered nurse and throughout the county of Shropshire as a trainer, teaching other students.

Twelve years ago I gave up my nursing career, as I wanted a change, to work fulltime with my husband, Nigel, who runs a joinery business in Hopton Wafers, manufacturing wooden gates.

As I work and live in Hopton Wafers, I am very keen to be involved in helping my local community ensuring our rural parish remains a pleasant place to live.

 

Barry Buffery 

I was born in Birmingham and lived most of my working life in Droitwich Spa with my wife Christine and our four sons. We have six wonderful Grandchildren and I have lived in Doddington since 2002.

I studied for a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and received a distinction, then became a design engineer specialising in special handling equipment and air conditioning. This led to a career in Technical Sales and became the UK Sales Manager for an International Company and travelled in the UK and parts of Europe.

I am passionate about road safety regarding speeding and the environment.

Tel: 07900 791028
Email: barry@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

Linda Clayton

I have resided in the parish of Hopton Wafers for the past 59 years, living in Doddington. I attended the local primary school at Hopton Wafers and then secondary school in Cleobury Mortimer. I was also the local post lady for the parish for 18 years until recently. I was a county council governor for 9 years and I have been a parish councillor for 25 years. Within this time I achieved, with the support of the then district councillor Mr M Cramp, the speed limit for Doddington and also getting the last remaining original squatters cottage listed, saving an historic cottage from being demolished, with support from Mr A Jenkins. I am passionate that the people’s voices of the parish should be heard and considered in important matters as our parish is very unique.

Tel: 01584 890071
Email: linda@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

Andy Jones

I have lived with my wife and daughter at Hopton Bank for 21 years and became Parish Councillor in 2022.  I work for Shropshire Council in Building Control.  As a family we enjoy travelling and sport. I have been a Councillor for Hopton Wafers since 2022 and I am particularly interested in conservation and oak framing work.

andy@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

Maria Cook

I was born in Birmingham and have lived most of my married life in        Halesowen with my husband and our 2 children. We moved to Hopton Wafers in 2018 where we’ve been made to feel very welcome.

I retired from West Midlands Police in 2019 after 30 years service.  I currently work part time for Christians Against Poverty as a debt coach.    

Since moving here I have been involved in litter picking within the Parish, collecting donations for our local food bank and the renovation of the telephone kiosk in Hopton, into a library.  I look forward to getting to know my neighbours within the Parish.

 

Email:  maria@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

 

Tracey Wood

My family have resided here in Doddington for generations and I attended Hopton Wafers Primary School and Lacon Childe School, so I have a good local knowledge and understanding of our beautiful and unique area.  I previously served as a local Policing Officer in charge of 2 Police Community Support Officers based at Tenbury Wells dealing with ongoing local issues working alongside parish councils to help resolve ASB, vandalism and improving community relations.
 
I have 2 teenagers and now work in education locally so I understand the needs of the young people within the parish.
 
I am community driven and as Parish Councillor wish to give something back to the community by being a voice and advocate for local residents helping resolve or signpost them to the right people, either at the local council or the local authority.
 
Email: tracey@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk
 

James Hilton

I have resided here at Crumpsbrook for 24years. I have two daughters who both attended Hopton Wafers Primary School and Lacon Childe in Cleobury Mortimer before going on to University.  My wife used to teach at Clee Hill Primary school and I am a partner at a cheese wholesaler based in Bridgnorth, where we employ four local ladies to support the business. 
 
Email: james@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

Paul Blakeway

Hello everybody, Let me tell you a little about myself.

I live in Doddington with my wife Jane. We have two grown up children, a son and daughter and 5 wonderful grandchildren.

Previously, I lived in Bromsgrove for many years prior to moving to Doddington in 2019 after a long search for the right home. Doddington and Hopton Wafers feel like home.

I have worked for a local authority for over 37 years, currently as a Senior Manager where I deal with many varied community matters and initiatives that help people live better lives, so I do have a sense of what local people want to improve their community. I also love motorcycles and raced nationally and now work as an instructor helping other motorcyclists to improve their race track skills and safety. 

I became a Parish Councillor in early 2021 with the hope of being able to support the community in regards to local issues that matter to you. There is a fantastic community spirit in Doddington and Hopton Wafers and I feel that the Parish Council can work to improve matters of concern, for all. 

Email: paul@hoptonwafersparishcouncil.org.uk

Andy Jones