I am very proud to remain in the role of chair of the Parish Council for my 6th Year. Having lived in the village for over 25 years with my husband, Andy, and our New Zealand Hunterway Pi, I feel that I understand the issues experienced by the community.

Having retired from the Devon and Cornwall Police, I have taken up sheep farming as a hobby and spend my spare time keeping fit through riding and gardening and enjoying my lifelong outdoor pursuits by guiding visitors across Dartmoor on horseback.

As chair I hope that my experiences from my previous career, dealing with people and solving problems, will help me be a good and supportive chair of the council, working closely and collaboratively with the members of other committees and parish groups to support people living in and visiting the Parish.

The priorities that are set for the Parish are based on what is important to you, and you can hold me and the Parish Council accountable for delivering against those priorities.  But we can only do that if you work to support us, so I look forward to continue to work with you to make the Parish a successful and prosperous place both now and for the future.

I moved to Langdale, Sampford Courtenay in 2017 from the Midlands with my wife Julie, after running a regional Chartered Surveyors practice for 30 years.

Since moving here, I have embraced the community spirit of the village, spending time on the Village Hall Committee as a Trustee.  During that time, I was lead for the campaign to replace the Village Hall Roof, being successful in obtaining National Lottery funding.

As a Parish Councillor this will be my second term. During my first term I was responsible for footpaths and led the refurbishment of the public toilets which is still an ongoing project.

At Langdale we have developed self-catering holiday accommodation and have a wide variety of livestock including miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, sheep and chickens. 

In my spare time!! I enjoy landscape painting and am passionate about the wildlife here, having set up wildlife cameras around the property for us and our guests to enjoy.

Now technically retired, My wife and I  live on the family farm at Honeychurch, where she was born, tending a small flock of sheep and many acres of wild flowers.  

Having been aware of climate change for many years I am very interested in renewable energy and environmental issues and have successfully driven a fully electric car since 2014.

Previously a Parish Councillor in a nearby parish and having served on Torridge District Council for 12 years, I have some understanding and experience of local council work. I am pleased to continue to serve the community of Sampford Courteney and Honeychurch.

Philip Collins

Glebe Farm

Honeychurch

North Tawton

EX20 2AG

e-mail Cllr.Collins.SCPC@gmail.com 

tel 07938 500024

Having lived all my life within the parish, mainly in Sampford Courtenay, I look forward to being able to draw on my local experience and that of disability issues where relevant, to assist the community going forwards.

I am currently working at the Exeter Chiefs and am also the Secretary and a player for the West Country Hawks Wheelchair Rugby Club.

I have lived with my family at Solland in Sampford Courtenay for the last 26 years where we have 50 acres of cider apple treas. I am a cider maker by trade having been making cider since I studied plant biology and microbiology at Newcastle University in the mid 1980’s.

Although new to the Parish Council I have some experience in the ‘Not for Profit’ sector. For ten years I was a director of an international children’s charity. I have also served as trustee for a number of smaller charities and churches over the years.

I am currently the Chairman of the Small Independent Cidermakers Association CIC. 

Parishioners may know me or my wife Alison from our farm shop, The Cider Vat, at Solland where you are always welcome to drop in for a cup of tea and a chat about any concerns you may have.

After 24  years of a fairly nomadic existence while serving an Army Chaplain, my family and I moved in Sampford Courtenay in February 2023. I am honoured to have been elected as Parish Councillor so early in my tenure! Having moved into our 'forever' home, I am keen to play a full role in support of our community.  As a Church of England clergyman, a former Army officer and a management consultant I am experienced in community and Government work, and decision-making and hope to bring my skills to bear in service to the  Parish Council. I am also playing a part in the life of St. Andrew's and I am keen to see all those things that support our community life -  Parish Council, Church, Village Hall and Pub - working together in support of the whole community.
 

I, and my family, enjoy countryside pursuits be it on foot or horseback. I am married to Claudia, a born and bred Devonian, and have twin boys. 

I haved lived in the parish my whole life in Honeychurch at Slade farm, Where we have around 200 sheep and around 50 cattle.

I'm passionate about farming and caring for the environment, I joined the Parish to be able to support local farmers and local businesses to encourage sustainability in the parish.

Being a part of YFC I am able to put my desires of helping local businesses and charities into action through fund-raising and charity events and stay connected with farming communities beyond Sampford Courtenay. 

I returned to Devon in 2005 after many years following a career in Leisure Management . I had a childhood in Exeter and Bristol. I started my early career as the Leisure Manager for Torridge District Council and then returned to the Council to finish my working life in Community Development. On retirement, I have enjoyed working in several Parishes in Devon – some were interim posts, specifically to provide support and guidance, and others were long term engagements that allowed me to work on parish plans, policy documents and community projects. Outside of work - my interests have always been focused upon sport, and I was fortunate to have a swimming scholarship at Millfield School in Somerset and spend my school days training in the pool! Nowadays I walk as often as I can in this beautiful part of Devon and swim only when I find a warm sea!