As a youngster, I loved the countryside and was fascinated by nature on my great uncle’s smallholding on my holidays. I graduated in Business Studies and had three careers: in Industrial Relations, as a lecturer in Management, and as an Independent District Councillor. I blended my professional skills and experience with those of an amateur naturalist as a Trustee and Vice Chair of Avon Wildlife Trust. Inspired by Local Agenda 21, my vision was to make a difference for wildlife at parish level and formed local conservation groups that eventually led to the purchase of Ten Acres and the foundation of YACWAG in 1999. In 2005, I was awarded ITV West’s second Local Hero prize and, in 2011, I received the Marsh Award for Community Wetland Conservation.
Tony is also Safeguarding Officer and a member of the Finance & Admin Committee and Land Management Committee.