Adrian Watney

Nominated by: Hertfordshire Parish Councils

I was born in Yorkshire but grew up in Sawbridgeworth in East Herts. I am married with 3 very grown-up children & 3 grandchildren. Part of my family were farmers in Essex and other family members farmed in Ireland.  I developed a strong bond with the countryside and farming as a result, which persists to this day.  I follow closely the debates concerning the future of farming.

I have lived in Bovingdon for nearly 10 years, I am now retired, and I feel very much a part of the Chilterns community.

I have been a parish councillor for Bovingdon Parish Council for over three years and have been particularly active on their planning committee. We are constantly battling to prevent encroachment on the green belt. I am also a member of the Berkshire Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire wildlife trust.

I trained as a solicitor in London and then spent three years as a lawyer in Zambia where I travelled extensively.  My time in Africa helped to develop my strong interest in wildlife and the countryside. Following my time in Africa I worked as a solicitor in Maidenhead where I dealt with a number of planning issues involving some major building projects, development of farmland, including encroachment into the greenbelt and, on occasion, the effect on AONBs.

I was also at this time the secretary of the Maidenhead chamber of commerce, and this has helped me in dealing with, and understanding, the workings of committees.

I believe my experiences as above and legal training have enabled me to develop good communication skills and furthermore an understanding of both, or indeed all sides of an argument which has been has been useful in Parish council meetings.

I am passionate about the protecting the countryside and in particular AONBs and I look forward to being  a part of the Chilterns Conservation Board.