Meet the Members

Andrew Battarbee

I have lived in Grindleford since 2000, when we moved here from SW London. Our kids are now grown up, but we were parents at Grindleford School for a decade, and this has helped us put down deep roots here. I live just inside the village boundary on Sir William Hill Road, so I am happy to speak for Sir William or Bank Top Lane interests.

More widely, I would see the two main challenges for the village being (i) a cluster of environmental issues: how do we work to reduce carbon footprint, can we collectively work towards cleaner transport and energy, can we mitigate the effects of car use on the village, and can we address our disappointing levels of biodiversity (ii) promoting quality of life for young people, for whom growing up away from the city can have its downsides, and who in recent months have taken the biggest hit through Covid restrictions.

I have lived in Grindleford since 2000, when we moved here from SW London. Our kids are now grown up, but we were parents at Grindleford School for a decade, and this has helped us put down deep roots here. I live just inside the village boundary on Sir William Hill Road, so I am happy to speak for Sir William or Bank Top Lane interests.

More widely, I would see the two main challenges for the village being (i) a cluster of environmental issues: how do we work to reduce carbon footprint, can we collectively work towards cleaner transport and energy, can we mitigate the effects of car use on the village, and can we address our disappointing levels of biodiversity (ii) promoting quality of life for young people, for whom growing up away from the city can have its downsides, and who in recent months have taken the biggest hit through Covid restrictions.

Elizabeth Coe

I became a parish councillor to help, guide and support the community where I could.  Hopefully to have some influence on decisions that benefit the people of the place I call home.

I have considerable experience working with government, and public services so have an understanding of how this works.  I am enjoying the role of vice chair, and working with some very dedicated people all of whom try extremely hard to ensure the safety of residents, and that the environment is safeguarded.

Hilary Hart

I have lived in the small community of Stoke, Grindleford for over 30 years. I am a professional classical musician and, along with free-lancing internationally, I enjoyed tutoring at Sheffield university and a private teaching practice. Whilst bringing up a family, I became a dedicated environmentalist and support all genuine initiatives to safeguard our planet, from our rural community to our world biodiversity. Local issues are of great importance to me and I am intolerant of injustice. 

The garden is a haven for wildlife (some more welcome than others) and I delight in dog walking in the area in addition to a passion for chamber music, opera and Portugal. 

Alex Erskine

I grew up in nearby Matlock and following graduating from university in Newcastle looked to move closer to home, moving to Grindleford in 2017.

Working in Sheffield as an architect I have developed an interest for building conservation particularly and how we can improve the environmental efficiency of historic buildings. I have a young family and we can usually be found exploring the village and surrounding area.
I hope to provide a representation for younger members and families of the village and assist in climate change initiatives.

Ray Whiteley

I have been associated with Grindleford for almost 50 years and have lived here for 43, residing in 3 separate areas of the village. I have a wife, Alison and two daughters, both of whom attended the village school.

Over the years I have had the privilege of being involved with the cricket club, not only playing, but as their chairman and groundsman. I also enjoyed my time as chairman of the carnival committee and my years spent as manager of country choice.

I enjoy watching cricket, football and holidays!
I have been associated with Grindleford for almost 50 years and have lived here for 43, residing in 3 separate areas of the village. I have a wife, Alison and two daughters, both of whom attended the village school.

Over the years I have had the privilege of being involved with the cricket club, not only playing, but as their chairman and groundsman. I also enjoyed my time as chairman of the carnival committee and my years spent as manager of country choice.

I enjoy watching cricket, football and holidays!

Simon Hutchinson

I am a senior lecturer in environmental science at Salford University. I’m married to Gill, and we have a daughter who attended Grindleford school. We have lived in Upper Padley since 2004.

I am a keen environmentalist and hope to have much to offer on the climate and biodiversity action work the Council has committed to.

Esther Stewart

I have lived in Grindleford for 38 years. Both my sons went the local school and are still involved with the cricket club.

I worked in the Civil Service as a senior project manager and when I retired I volunteered with the National Trust as a tour guide. I love living in Grindleford and I am involved with the Goat and community shop.

I am particularly interested in looking at traffic issues in the village.

Peter O’Brien

I have been a Parish Councillor for 9 years and have lived on Sir William Hill Road for over 20 years.

I am also a Governor of Grindleford Primary School, a member of Hope Valley Climate Action, and a volunteer driver and Trustee with Bakewell and Eyam Community Transport. 

In 2023, I was re-elected as a District Councillor, representing Grindleford along with Abney, Eyam and Hathersage.

Sarah Battarbee

I’m the Parish Clerk for the Council, starting in 2019. I’ve lived in the village since 2000 and my children both went to Grindleford primary school.  Andy and I feel very lucky to live in such a warm, involved community and we are pleased to be able to be part of the village through our work with the parish council.