Our Team

We are a group of Timsbury folk who believe wholeheartedly in the importance of community. Read on to learn a little more about each of us. 

Deborah Griffin

Originally from Belfast, it was the move to rural Somerset that sparked my interest in food and farming. I pursued this growing interest through involvement with a number of animal welfare charities, setting up a food sharing project and being part of the Taste of Timsbury team running an annual food and drink festival as well as legacy activities. My love of the outdoors has continued to blossom and although still a ‘learner’, I have become a heartfelt advocate of locally grown food and a food system that is kind to animals. 

I have worked in the public and HE sectors in HR and Organisational Development, and currently work at the University of Bath. 
 
Susan Walker
 
Hello, I am Sue Walker, a retired environmental community worker who spent over 25 years working for a health and wellbeing charity, based in a South Bristol community with high social and health needs.

As part of my work I set up a successful community market garden and orchard. The produce was sold at low cost to local people through a food cooperative and it was also used in our teaching kitchen, where residents learnt how to cook healthy low cost meals.

I hope my professional experience will prove useful in the development of Grow Timsbury, which has similar aspirations to my previous work.

 

Jacqui Grainger

Originally from Manchester, my love of the natural world started from riding my bike around Lancashire and Cheshire when I was younger. 

After teaching in secondary schools for a few years, I wanted to use my teaching skills to help connect people to the nature around them and I moved into the field of environmental education. I moved to the South-West for a post with Avon Wildlife Trust and have been here ever since.

I have worked for a variety of third sector sustainability organisations and also run my own environmental education consultancy with a partner.  I have always been involved in volunteering in the community including supporting Timsbury Pre-school, St Mary’s school, and Radford Mill Farm before becoming involved in Grow Timsbury.