Trustees

Deirdre McCarthy

Chair of Trustees

I have had a varied work life which has seen me do many things from secretary at the BBC to running my own catering business to managing a large breakfast and after school club in a primary school. I am always keen to learn new things so, whilst my children were at secondary school, I studied and gained a law degree with the Open University. I have also had some volunteering roles including working with Riding for the Disabled which was very interesting. My hobbies include cooking, gardening, reading and travelling.

In June 2022, having lived in our old home for almost 25 years, my husband and I upped sticks from Kent and moved to Hampshire. We decided that with retirement on the horizon we were ready for an adventure and to explore new parts of the country. Our grown up children and our grandchildren now live close by which is a bonus, but we all have our own lives.
6 months later after unpacking and various works being done on the house and garden, my husband retired fully and embraced his newfound freedom.

After all the excitement of moving I suddenly realised I didn’t know anybody I was feeling a bit lost and wondering how to make friends and meet new people when a local magazine dropped through my door. In it was an advert for the NWR. I had never heard of the organisation so I contacted my local organiser and met her for a coffee. She told me about the NWR and invited me to join an upcoming meeting. So in February 2023 I attended my 1st meeting and everyone was so welcoming. We all have different interests and different life stories so it makes a fascinating group. Since joining I have attended lots of meetings with a huge variety of topics, been on outings to new places, met for coffee and lunches and joined the book club section. To me NWR has been a lifeline and without it I’m not sure what I would have done.

When I saw the opportunity to become a Trustee I was very keen to become more involved with the organisation. I am the youngest in my group and looking at various NWR Facebook pages, I realised we are a little light on younger members ! So one of my main aims is to encourage younger members to join and to find ways that this can be achieved. NWR is such a great concept but we need to keep it going and to me it has been a fantastic way to meet new people, make friends and discover new places of interest. I’m looking forward to joining the trustee team and helping move the NWR onwards and upwards over the next 4 years.

Jan Fuller

Trustee/Honorary Treasurer

Like many members, I joined NWR when my five children were small and my husband’s job took our family to different parts of the country every few years.

When we moved to Lincolnshire, finding a new group to join was a priority for me, and The Deepings group did not disappoint! I found the same lively minded and enthusiastic women as I had in my first group, who welcomed me with friendship, support and stimulation. When I returned to paid work, I found NWR just as important to me as an activity that was mine and representative of my interests.

Local group meetings, and area and national conferences sustained me over those years of house moves and family upheaval.

My local group, The Deepings, has been particularly active in organising several day conferences, as well being part of the committees for the annual conferences in Nottingham and Lincoln. There is always something to get involved in and have fun on the way. I enjoy lively meetings, especially the ones where I have limited subject knowledge, always coming away with some new learned information.

Away from NWR I love restoring and upcycling neglected furniture, (partly because I can’t bear to throw anything away), I love the sense of achievement it brings.

Being very recently retired, and luckily in good health, I was expecting to do lots of travel in 2020/21, however so many plans abandoned now means we have lots to plan for in 2022/23.

I have applied my professional experience as a business analyst to supporting NWR as a trustee, through composing member surveys and writing handbooks for local organisers  and those starting-up new groups.

As a trustee, I enjoy playing my part in setting the course for the organisation going forward. Like all the trustees and staff, I take my role in supporting such a vital organisation very seriously. I feel that the most important asset I can bring to NWR is my enthusiasm and commitment to the NWR of the future.

I have been a member of NWR for over 30 years, and the organisation still excites me.

Marion Watts

Trustee

I was first introduced to NWR in 1996 when a job relocation took us to Beccles. I shook with nerves until my turn to describe a favourite painting was over and I could observe fellow members. And what an interesting, talkative and welcoming bunch they were! The group continues to embody the strapline that NWR members can talk about anything and everything, and my confidence within it has grown enough so that I no longer shake when it’s my turn to speak. In such a supportive environment I was able to take on the role of AO and am now delighted to be joining the trustees.

My working life was varied and included teaching EFL at home and abroad, selling Red House books and being a teaching assistant. Now retired and my four children have grown up I’m rediscovering hobbies and interests. I enjoy knitting and embroidery, and am an avid on-line word gamer.  Having restarted keyboard lessons a few years ago I am trying to get to grips with Bach, although others in the house prefer me to use my headphones. Spending time with NWR friends has been particularly important, especially through the ‘pandemic era’, and we have supported each other through the good and bad times. My husband and I are keen theatre and baroque concert enthusiasts, and we also like to spend time in our caravan on the N. Norfolk coast. Looking after my daughter’s dog has got me walking and he considers himself an honorary NWR member.

I have had six years experience of being a trustee as until 2022 was involved with Clinks Care Farm, a local farm for those with varying mental health issues. I also wrote their quarterly newsletter. I hope to bring some of the things I’ve learnt to my new role within NWR.

I’m looking forward to being part of a strong team, and taking on the many challenges ahead as NWR continues to evolve and change with the times.

Heather de Lacey

Trustee

I spent nearly 40 years in commercial organisations learning and using a range of secretarial and managerial skills. When I moved to Leighton Buzzard I wanted to join a women’s group and found NWR – I found ‘my tribe.’

Our group mantra at Leighton Buzzard is ‘we’re never full’ and ‘you’re always welcome’ which I passionately believe in, both as a member and during my terms as LO. We don’t do things just because ‘that’s how we’ve always done them.’ Membership has almost doubled, we’ve retained our members and are continually evolving.

About five years ago, I joined the NWR Facebook admin team, working hard at encouraging more members to join the groups.

I also became an Area Supporter for groups in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Towards the end of 2024 with the LB group getting so large, it seemed time to start a second group. Nine months on, we have Leighton Buzzard 2 which already has almost 30 members. It’s been demanding work but extremely rewarding to see the group reaching the stage where they are now flying solo. I shall consider my job well done when they don’t need me any more – well, just for a bit of support!

I enjoy attending national conferences and going to regional events. I now know lots of members and feel we all benefit from our shared experiences and knowledge.

I’m now ready to take on a new role and the opportunity to be considered as a trustee came at the perfect time. I think with my commitment to NWR, my desire to see it not only continue but flourish, I feel I have much to offer. I’m confident I can bring fresh ideas to the table – I’m always willing to learn and am not afraid to venture an opinion.