Please do get in touch and tell us a bit about yourself if you want to get involved: bladoncommunitypub@gmail.com
Chair – John Anson
John grew up in South Oxfordshire, and moved back to the county in 2006 to work at the Begbroke Science Park. He has recently retired from being Chief Executive of a company that develops diagnostic tests for cancer and rare inherited diseases. John and his family have lived in Bladon since this time, inhabiting a “project” 17th century property that used to be the Kings Arms pub. This was once one of many such establishments in the village, and as such John has always been a strong supporter of the project to save the last remaining pub in the village. He is highly appreciative of the hard work and achievements of the original committee, and is keen to lend his business experience to help the Community Pub to continue to develop and grow into a fantastic local asset.
Treasurer – Linda Oliver
Linda has lived in the village from birth until marrying Clive in 1973 at St Martin’s Church. As a member of the church choir until that date she went from Sunday evensong straight to the pub for a celebratory drink, vicar included. When her mother passed away in 2006 she rebuilt her house and returned to the village to live. Linda worked as a management accountant at Oxford Brookes University for 23 years before semi-retiring to run a holiday cottage letting company locally. Now fully retired she is active in the community as the Secretary of the Oxfordshire branch of the RSPCA and also a Wildlife Casualty volunteer plus Treasurer for an Arts Development Agency in Oxford. She is excited that the pub has been bought by the community and hopes to see it prosper as the hub of the village bringing all residents together of all ages and backgrounds.
Secretary – Gwyn Bevan
Gwyn has been living in Bladon for over 40 years and has the good fortune to live very close to the White House. His two sons went to Bladon school but also supports the Welsh rugby team. He is a (mostly) retired professor of the London School of Economics & Political Science. He’s keen to help develop the pub as a centre of the community and encourage use of the magnificent Boules court in the village recreation ground.
Committee member – Mike Edwards
Despite being Welsh, Mike managed to marry the pub rescue instigator, Clare, and lives in Bladon with his two daughters. Part of the original team you may have seen him down the drains of the pub or up a ladder or reconstructing the garden during renovation. Mike set up, and runs, the aviation heritage operations for the Indian and Jordanian Air Forces, training the Indian Test Pilots. Mike is hindering a major production company with the adaptation of his book into a film whilst working on his 2nd historical biography. Due to a clerical error at the Palace he was awarded the MBE in 2011. As long as Wales are not playing rugby he flies as a long haul Captain for British Airways.
Committee Member – Robin Jones
Robin has been retired for some years and moved to Bladon in 2017 and has become involved in the village community and feels very strongly that The White House should become the focal point of Village life where friends and interest groups can meet and enjoy the hospitality offered by Johnny and his team. Robin also hopes that once the lockdowns are eased groups can be established to play crib, dominoes and other traditional Pub Games.
Committee Member – Liz Owen
Liz moved to Bladon a couple of years ago, but has been ‘hanging around’ since her parents moved here about 15 years ago. Liz is often seen pushing a wheelbarrow through the churchyard (to and from the allotments) or to the community orchard. She is partly responsible for the sound of the church bells on a Sunday morning. All this is thirsty work, but apart from serving suitable refreshments in a pleasant environment, she believes the community pub should be somewhere for everyone in the village and provide a focal point for village activities. Having previously moaned about the lack of such a place, Liz thought it was time to step up to the plate and help continue the excellent work that’s been done so far. Liz and her small gardening team is responsible for upkeep of the pub garden.
Committee Member – Clare Edwards
Clare lives in Bladon, a founder member of the Society’s Management Committee, she has been persuaded to return to the committee once again, and will keep the show on the road by being Vice Everything, covering for absences of other committee members. She works in the world of medical research, and is a lover of all sport, playing netball, and is a fully paid up member of England cricket’s Barmy Army.
Committee Member – Andrea Main
Andrea has lived in Bladon for over 20 years, and counts The White House as her second home. With an artistic bent, she enjoys having a go a many creative pursuits, some of which might even be useful in the pub. She has worked in textiles, publishing, and most recently in marketing. Having been talked into joining the committee, she has been scratching her head trying to remember how to build websites, having retired from doing all this in 2019.
Committee Member – Nolan Richmond