Simon works for the NHS, managing the Covid vaccination sites in Buckinghamshire, something he describes as ‘a great challenge…but a worthwhile task’. He joined the ESU in 1993 and is now Chair of the Buckinghamshire branch and has judged and MC’ed at many of our competitions. Here he tells us a little more about himself.
Why did you join the ESU?
I was auditing the National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds and the Chief Exec invited us along to her club – which was Dartmouth House. I was very impressed and definitely had an interest in the work that the ESU was doing so signed up that evening.
Tell us a little about your branch.
We have a limited number of social events, focusing instead on supporting Buckinghamshire schools entering and competing in the three national ESU competitions: the Schools’ Mace, Performing Shakespeare and the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition. We identify and source judges for all of these competitions and support any local hosts.
What do you get out of the experiences?
We are loving being part of the competitions and are very proud of the achievements of our local schools. I just like seeing people try things and succeed. There are so many talented young people around, it restores a lot of faith in the future.
What words of advice do you have for other members?
Just get involved – you will both enjoy and benefit from the experience.
Whom do you admire and why?
Marcus Rashford – he has done a fantastic amount of work linking young people, communities, football and others around a common agenda which is delivering change in our society.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I love car boot sales – you just never know what you are going to find!
Tell us something surprising about you.
I won the Watford Music Festival for speaking poetry in 1971. I was very nervous and had to repeat the winning entry!
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you?
You never know enough not to be able to learn from others.
