CARE AND COMMUNITY
Debbie Hemmins is the manager of the Rainbow Corner Nursery in Watlington, which she founded 25 years ago. The nursery is a charity funded by fees and small grants. Debbie is also a committee member of the Royal British Legion and helps causes such as the Education Foundation, St Leonard’s Church and Watlington Care Home.
Susie Jordan, from Sonning Common, is a long-standing volunteer at the Sue Ryder Care sales. Now aged 87 and with failing eyesight, she has been sorting and ironing clothes since 1994, as well as being involved in recruitment and administration. She served in the WRNS during the Second World War, later becoming an air hostess. In later years, she organised holidays abroad for widows. She regularly gives lifts to elderly and isolated people.
Lizzie Webb worked at Huntercombe Young Offenders Institute for 16 months and created a not-for-profit company called Creativity in Sport. The former TV-am fitness expert works with excluded and disadvantaged teenagers at risk.
ARTS
Muffin Hurst has run the Henley Children’s Theatre Group for years. She holds two classes on Saturdays and puts on two productions a year at the Kenton Theatre.
Jo Southwell is an actor who founded the annual Henley Fringe last year. This year, the festival involved 30 shows at 15 venues.
RECREATION
Miriam Luke and Guin Batten, from Henley, rowed for Team GB in the Nineties and helped lift women’s rowing to the standard it is today. Although now retired, both are passionate about inspiring future generations.
EDUCATION AND ENTERPRISE
Robyn Jones started contract caterer Charlton House from a bedroom in 1991 with the help of a £50 weekly government enterprise allowance. Eighteen years later, the business turns over £80million a year.
Jane Lewis has been the brown owl for 1st Nettlebed brownies for more than 20 years. As a volunteer, she organises weekly meetings and activities for young girls.
Juliet Machan, from Henley, formed www.babyboomboom.com four years ago. The company produces award-winning multi-lingual music CDs that help babies and young children familiarise themselves with a second language.
Published on 30 November 2009
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