Chairperson

Chairperson – Philippa Groves M.B.E.  F.R.S.A

Philippa trained as a ceramist in the 1970s, setting up and running her own pottery supplying local galleries and promotional work for companies such as International Spinners and The Gallaher Group.  She moved into the fabrics trade in the 1980s, designing and setting up major exhibitions at Earls Court and Olympia. Philippa later set up an equestrian business in Yorkshire, manufacturing and supplying goods to organisations such as The Metropolitan Police and Burberry where she advised and supplied all the goods for the launch of Burberry’s first Equestrian line. She worked closely with the International League for the Protection of Horses and the World Farriers Association coordinating sending goods abroad to alleviate the suffering of working animals in many countries

Mother of three sons, a doting grandmother and passionate about donkeys, Philippa moved to Cumbria in 2000 and became actively involved in the community volunteering with the Northern Fells Group, eventually being becoming one of the first village agents.  

A founder member of the Community First Responders team, she started her own charity, the Eden Lifeline Project which was set up to raise funds for defibrillators in schools and village halls and to educate and train people about defibrillators.  Philippa is the Chairperson of the Castle Sowerby Parish Council.  She was awarded an M.B.E. in 2021 for Services to Cumbria. She is trustee for the Northern Fells Group community charity. 

Treasurer – Martin Woodham

Martin’s early career was in the British Army where he attained the rank of Captain before retiring from the armed forces. 

His main career was as a management consultant at IBM, where he advised large businesses on transformational programmes of work, usually related to technical implementations or outsources in areas such as: retail, aerospace, engineering, distribution, government, chemicals and finance industries.

A former GP practice manager, Martin ran one of the top four highest-rated GP practices in England, rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.

Having recently retired, Martin currently does some part-time consultancy work for the local out-of-hours GP service, helping to run six daytime GP practices and focusing on improving Primary Care.

In his spare time Martin has his hands full with teenage children but manages to get out in the Cumbrian fells with the dog from time to time!

Treasurer

Community Liaison and Operational Support

Community Liaison and Operational Support – Martin Nicholson

Coming from a farming background, Martin trained at Askham Bryan Agricultural College before returning to the family farm from where he established a well-known herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle.  

Having achieved the appropriate technical and animal welfare related authorisations to transport livestock, alongside running the farm, Martin established and ran a successful bloodstock haulage business transporting animals across many countries.  

Regularly facilitating the complex procedures involved with the export of sport horses to America, Martin managed the associated challenges of coordinating the veterinary health certification, customs declarations and airport clearances.

Prior to retiring in 2019, Martin established and ran a successful farm animal feedstuffs business at the local market before relocating to Cumbria. 

Relocating to Cumbria just prior to the Covid pandemic, Martin quickly became involved with the Northern Fells Group as a Lend a Hand volunteer and found his way around the area by delivering lunches and afternoon teas from local hostelries and deliveries of papers and groceries from the Hesket Newmarket shop. 

In his spare time, Martin helps several older residents with heavier gardening and handyman odd jobs. Martin is on the Patient Participation Group for the Caldbeck Doctors Surgery.

Management Support Team

IT Consultant 

IT Consultant to the Management Committee – Izzy Garnsey

Isabel Garnsey, better known as Izzy, is fairly new to the village. She is a data scientist and software developer for a UK not-for-profit organisation that works to measure and improve the carbon footprints of farmers and supply chains. 

Izzy has a Masters in Statistics from the University of Strathclyde, and worked previously for the Scottish Government compiling the annual Agricultural Census of livestock and crops across Scotland. 

She is an active a member of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, and in her free time she loves to explore the amazing hills and crags of the Lake District.