The Team
We are a friendly group of individuals from all different types of backgrounds and experiences, but one thing we have in common is a passion to improve the world we live in.
Maureen Dyroff
I am the Co-ordinator of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth. I have a Science degree and I been have concerned about the health of the planet since my early 20s. I have lived in Chinnor since 1978 and I retired as Supervisor of Jack and Jill Preschool in 2020. My passion is for children and safeguarding their future.
Graham Digby
Info coming soon
Catherine Campbell
I have been a member of Friends of the Earth for most of my life. I am a Climate Ambassador for Bucks Federation of Women’s Institutes and I am involved in Climate Action Alliance. I have a degree in Geography and I worked as an Exodus Trek Leader. I am a yoga teacher and sales representative for Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.
Charlotte Collins
It was the arrival of grandchildren that prompted me to join Chinnor Friends of the Earth. My background is in teaching, counselling, church ministry and mental health chaplaincy. As a Methodist, and Quaker, I value all life as sacred and interconnected. The group are very welcoming and practical, providing lots of opportunities for active involvement locally and nationally in response to our planetary crisis.
Cathy Gaulter-Carter
I have always enjoyed being outdoors and my main interest is in cycling and sustainable transport. I was involved in the development of the Phoenix Trail, the path between Thame and Princes Risborough and I am delighted that this has become especially popular recently. I am a qualified teacher and I have a degree in Social Anthropology.
Jackie Gunn
I have been involved with Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth from the beginning helping with tree planting, litter picking, organising Green Fayres, Bike Exchange and more. I also run Chinnor Open Gardens and I have an allotment.
Paul Martin
I am a musician and a photographer and a proud father. I have a passion for improving the way we live. I have been involved in the Neighbourhood Plan along with running the Wild Hedgerow Project in Chinnor which has been a great success.
Michele Pethers
I am a founder member of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth. I am a holistic therapist specialising in massage treatments. I am also involved in volunteering for Music in The Park, Thame Music Festival, Beacon Festival and running the Forget Me Knot café.
Jenny Rixon
I live in Thame and I have been a member of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth since 1988. I am very concerned about Climate Change and the loss of biodiversity. I try to do what I can to make a small difference. If everyone does their best, small becomes big!
Ruth Ruddock
I am a founder member of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth and have been very happy to meet up with similar-minded people. Becoming a parent focused me on what we are doing to our environment, even more so when I became a grandparent. I have a music degree, retired a few years ago from working in the classical music business and now enjoy community choir singing and music-making in general. I believe music enhances and supports life in all ways, and is used powerfully in environmental campaigning.
Maggie Smart
I grew up near open countryside, spending summer holidays at our caravan by the sea. In the 80s I bought from a refill shop and made my own yoghurt but it was considered a bit hippy in those days! I have been vegetarian for over 15 years.
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In the Midlands, I became aware of air quality affecting health and lobbied the council about pollution from a local foundry. I moved to Thame in the 90s and I buy most of what I need from our local refill and farm shops. My carbon footprint is enormous with daughters in Australia and Canada, although I plant trees on their land.
Maggie Westby
I am a founder member of Chinnor & Thame Friends of the Earth and I have been involved in various campaigns and activities, particularly the Green Fayres and the campaign against genetically modified crops and food. As a research scientist and a Christian, I am very interested in joining the dots between ecology, health, social inequalities, faith and politics.