Rochford Life:  Anne, how did you become a councillor and why would you want to be a councillor?
Anne: I became a councillor because Keith and Richard, on the Council already, wanted input on the Council from business people in the local area, who knew everyone, knew what was going on and wanted to help, and that’s virtually what it was. We were all elected and I was asked to take on the chairmanship of St. Mark’s Hall Management Committee. I knew nothing about running halls; I run a very successful dog boarding business, and I’ve had a background in business and so I said, yes I would. I enjoy doing things, I enjoy helping out and if I enjoy what I do and can help in any way, I think it’s just lovely to do something. Part of my job is meeting people and I have a very good feel for what people say and what they would like to see and can apply that much more than if I was simply stuck in the house all day.  I wouldn’t get to see that side of life and I think it’s nice when people say, for example, “Oh look at those fences! Why doesn’t someone do something about it?” and then you can do something about it. I’ve got all the time in the world, I’m retired, and so it’s nice that I can do this. Also, for instance, in the Summer I came up here and saw Jackie with all the kids, it’s lovely, because there are so many people in the world who just want to take, and I think it’s nice, if you are in the position to give back, to do that.  This  is the reason I voted for not ever being paid, because I think once you pay people, you don’t get the best out of them, because I think people who volunteer to do things have their heart and soul in it.  You get to know what is going on and it’s lovely, it gives you an interest and stops you being bored.

RL:  I believe you’re on the Christmas Committee?
Anne: Yes, and I’m also on the Finance Committee and that is good because you get insight into what is being spent and I have a great thing about saving money. I think when you are spending other people’s money you should seek to get the best value for them and not just push things through. I come here to St. Marks Hall with my handyman and I’ve put doors on, because I can, because it’s a thing I can do and it helps here, which is the great thing. My handyman is a friend of mine, he’s seventy four now, and if ever I’m stuck to do something in the house, he’s a professional carpenter  and builder, he comes up and he helps. I’ve also got a friend who is disabled but he also comes up and helps me and he came and did all the work for me here on the fence at St. Marks. I know loads of people through the kennels and all the customers have different abilities and so I say, I want to borrow you, can you come up and do something at St. Marks Hall and they are more than willing to do it.   

RL:  You said earlier on that you’ve got all this spare time, but you run a kennels, so how do you manage that? That must be pretty full-time?
Anne: Yes, it is, because I’ve got to be there all day, because you can’t leave the animals and you’re also responsible for buying food and bits and pieces, but I’ve got my daughter and I’ve got people working for me.

RL:  How long have you had the kennels?
Anne: Since 1984 and we’ve just rebuilt them all; my husband died three years ago and he built the original ones. You do have to be on call, answering the phone and so on, but you have quite a lot of spare time, (see www.woodviewkennels.co.uk) but I really enjoy Council meetings and I’m now in my second term.  You’d be amazed at the input and questions I get from my customers. They sometimes ask about planning matters but that is one thing I don’t have anything to do with. I am limited by my dog training which is on Wednesday evenings. I go to full Council but can’t get involved in other things that would encroach on that. I think it’s lovely to know where you live and to know the people. I represent the Eastwood ward. There’s been quite a turnover of people on the Council since I’ve been on it; there are some who have been on it a long time, but there are a good number of newcomers which is good because you get a fresh input.   

RL:  You say you are retired and yet you run kennels. What have you retired from?
Anne: I had always been in the fashion business, I was a model-girl, I worked for Hardy Amis and at Fortnum & Mason, I used to show clothes and so on. Yes, I do run the kennels but I retired from fashion and my husband ran the kennels and I carried on when he died, and with the Council it gives me something to do!    

RL: Thank you very much for your time and, indeed, thank you for all you do for the community here.