The Wooldale Co-operative Board
The board members are all volunteers living locally who recognise the value of the stores to our local community and therefore give their time freely.
Mike Bly
Chartered Engineer, retired from board of public company, living with Shirley in New Mill.
Shirley Bly
Retired from working in accounts and buying offices, living with Mike in New Mill.
Alison Carthy
Prior to early retirement Alison was Group Finance Director at Chevin Housing Group, a charitable housing association based in Wakefield, working throughout Yorkshire. She has also worked in local Government and completed her accountancy training and qualifications at Birmingham Co-operative Society. After a life time in financial management she went back to college and retrained to become a textile artist. She is currently setting-up her own textile art practice.
Mark Lewis (Chair)
Board member since 2007
Self-employed management consultant, resident of Wooldale for 20 years, also involved with Keep Holmfirth Special, The Fair Traders Co-operative, and Holmfirth Community Forum.
Andrew Stainton
Andrew became a board member in 2011 and has lived in Wooldale for the past five years. Currently working at the University of Huddersfield and previous experience in Recruitment and Retail Management. A firm believer in the principles of co-operatives, Andrew joined the board to offer ideas and commitment to securing the future success of the 3 stores.
Elaine Thelier
I’ve been a resident in Holmfirth since 1999 though I have been visiting family in Netherthong for over 35 years. I entered teacher training in the late seventies and lived taught in Bath for 16 years at Primary, Higher and Advisory level . I moved to France with my family where I taught English, ran a B&B and supported a young girl with major head trauma. After 4 years I returned to live in Holmfirth and taught in local schools and became a tutor at Kirklees College.
I have retrained in health, fitness and well being with a focus on social and therapeutic horticulture. I run a volunteer allotment project with the Charity at the Womencentre in Huddersfield for women as a way of managing mental health and well being. In 2009 I co-founded Holme Valley Gardening Network. The project has created 22 allotment sized growing plots on the field leased to us by the Coop in consultation with local residents. Two of the plots have been awarded funding to set up gardens for use by the community – an accessible fruit and vegetable garden and an edible woodland garden, along with a third plot on Royd’s Avenue. These are currently being set up as a Limited Company by Guarantee and will provide GP surgeries with outdoor facilities for preventative health care activities based on growing, cooking and creative arts.
I have supported other areas of Kirklees set up community growing initiatives through the Altogether Better adult services team and community engagement activities. I have also recently completed an MA in Spiritual Practice.
Joyce Whitworth
Background in catering and retail. Chair of Trustees of Lydgate Chapel. Resident of Wooldale for 40+ years.
We are allowed up to nine directors under our rules and would welcome hearing from anyone who is prepared to devote a bit of time and energy to help develop the Society. Just call the office and ask Mark or George to call back or email director@wooldale.coop
