About Us
Nick Corke - CEO
Nick was born in Hertfordshire (a long time ago) but moved to Suffolk when he was 4 and lived here ever since. Nick has spent most of his working live in the property business.
In 1999 Nick was invited to join his local Rotary club and to a degree the old adage of from there he never looked back, would probably sum up the last 20 yrs. Since joining Rotary Nick rose quite quickly through the ranks and ended up as District Governor for East Anglia in 2014/15. He also was involved in a number of international projects that took him to Belarus, Poland ,France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and most recently India where he has been 4 times and helped set up two Microfinance Projects, a cataract project and a sanitary napkin project in Rural communities on the outskirts of Bangalore.
All the time that Nick was involved in international projects, addressing the needs of the less fortunate, he was mindful of the needs of those closer to home, and In 2010 Nick along with 25 other like-minded people formed the Rotary club of Framlingham and their first job was to establish a community project to address the needs of people in the community. Hour Community was formed with a view to doing a few odd Jobs for people – they had no idea what it would grow into!!
Nick does not have much time for Hobbies but he is a long suffering Ipswich Town Season ticket holder – it must improve soon.
Nick is supported by his in credibly understanding wife Anne, who when asked recently what she has to do to support Nick she said “WORK.”
Sharon Norman - Trustee
I have been involved with the Rotary Club, through my partner, for over 10 years. I became a Rotarian 2 years ago and have been involved with their community projects ever since.
I have 25 years of experience as a carer, which has involved working in Dementia care for the past 6 years at Mills Meadow care home in Framlingham and hold an NVQ III in Dementia Care and End of Life Care.
Currently I am involved in a number of services in a voluntary capacity, including working for the Forget-Me-Not club for those with Dementia and memory difficulties, enabling them and their carers to socialize within the community.
I am a volunteer driver for Hour Community's Hospital Transport Service and I have set up the Hour Community Dementia Befriending Service with a group of experienced carers.
Stuart Stanford - Support Manager
Stuart is born and bred Suffolk, starting life in the south of the county. He currently lives by the sea with his dogs and can be seen on his daily walks, keeping fit and topping up his tan!
His working life began in retail, managing shops, before making a change in 1995, commencing work for Social Services, working with adults with learning disabilities in and around Ipswich. This culminated in 5 years, helping to set up and work at a horticultural training project in Claydon. After moving to Framlingham in 2002, Stuart began working for a Framlingham based Mental Health service in 2005. He continued to work for Mental Heath charities until 2012. Following spells working in residential care and, again, Social Services, he found himself volunteering for Framlingham's Community Car Scheme. It was during this time he was introduced to Hour Community, in a fateful meeting with Nick Corke in 2015.
Stuart Now divides his time between working from home, keeping administrative aspects of Hour Community up to date, and supporting much of Hour Community's work by 'chipping in' where needed. He particularly enjoys the weekly Trishaw outings, and can be seen struggling up the Market Hill on Friday mornings.
Stuart's passions include, the importance and undeniable benefits of volunteering, walking (always with dogs in tow), and collecting and creating unusual items with which he has festooned his house. All of this and an unhealthy attachment to doughnuts.
Walkies!!!!
Richard Mays - Trustee
Richard’s family are local to Framlingham. He went to school in Framlingham and he and his wife Ruth eventually set up home in Framlingham some thirty years ago. Richard is owner / director of a local Chartered Quantity Surveying practice.
Richard was a member of Saxmundham and District Round Table for many years, raising money and helping the local community as part of that club. He joined Framlingham Rotary Club not long after it’s formation and has actively participated in the club’s fundraising and community projects ever since, including being involved with Hour Community at it’s inception.
In what spare time he has, Richard enjoys being outdoors, either in the garden, walking the family Labradors or looking after his bees.
Michael Salmon
Mike moved to Framlingham in December 2019 after taking early retirement from a successful 40 year career in Banking.
Mike’s experience in banking included roles as a branch and area manager, project management and leading a national peripatetic Learning and Development team that necessitated UK wide travel on a daily / weekly basis. One of the highlights of his career was being awarded the honour of Top branch manager in the UK when leading a team in one of the biggest and busiest branches in London.
Being born and raised in London and living most of his life in Essex, it was always Mike and his wife Lynne’s ambition to retire to Suffolk. When his daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren moved to Framlingham, they fell in love with the town and knew they wanted to join them here.
It was always Mike’s ambition when he retired, to give time back supporting the local community and a month after moving to Framlingham, the Covid 19 pandemic was upon us and he volunteered to support Hour Community and the town as a shopper and driver. Since then he has been involved in other initiatives within the charity and was asked to become a trustee in November 2020.
Mike’s passions and interests are first and foremost his wife and family including his little Westie dog Skye and he loves spending time with his 2 very young grandchildren. He is a life long West Ham United supporter and season ticket holder, attending games with his friends. He enjoys socialising with wider family and friends and loves fast cars with a keen interest in all forms of motor sport. He enjoys travel and gardening and claims to be a mean BBQ chef.
Becky Eglington
I joined Hour Community as a trustee having carried out some volunteering and so loved the idea and loved helping people in my community that was keen to add to this in any way I can.
I own a business in Framlingham so get to meet people from all walks of life and love my job helping people to move into new homes and enjoy everything that this great town has to offer.
I am proud to be a part of Hour Community for as long as they will have me!
Rachel Chesman - Trustee
Rachel has lived in Framlingham nearly all her life and became an Hour Community Trustee because of the wonderful community spirit we have in Framlingham.
Rachel runs a small housekeeping business around the Framlingham area and in her spare time she spends time with her family and pets.
She is the Tower Captain at St Michaels Church and as well as bell ringing her hobbies include photography, buying and selling antiques, holidays, and attending concerts and festivals.
Jack Fairweather - Trustee
Jack’s family have deep roots in Framlingham having been in the town itself or nearby Brandeston for several hundred years. Before that the family can be traced about 600 years back to Debenham. Jack was born in Suffolk but moved to Essex and then London as a teenager. Having spent time living in Brazil, Jack returned to Suffolk after completing his legal studies when he was 24 whereupon he joined the family legal practice. There are now two offices in Framlingham where Jack has lived with his wife, daughter and dog since 2018.
Jack has volunteered for various charities since he was 18. Whether that be with young people in football stadiums or professional cricket grounds, homeless people in Kings Cross or helping out in his local Oxfam shop: volunteering has always been an important part of his life. These days Jack is the the chairman of another local charity, Young People Taking Action based in Leiston, and is looking forward to giving more time to Hour Community as a trustee.
James Tanner - Chair of Trustees
James was born in Melton, outside Woodbridge and grew up in Framlingham, attending Thomas Mill Hill School. After studying at University and a 15 year stint working in London, James returned to Framlingham where he now lives with his wife and two children.
He works as a Surveyor in a Framlingham based practice and enjoys - spending time with his family, cooking, motorbikes and trying to improve his limited ukulele skills!
Rachael Sheen - Administrator
Rachael has lived in Framlingham for four years and still feels like she is on holiday! She lives her with her husband, two daughters and their beloved cats. Her working career has been varied starting with jobs in shops, moving on to Childminding for ten years and then ten years volunteering in the church both of which worked well alongside raising two children.
She loves to read, walk and occasionally braves the North Sea on a paddleboard with the family.
Rachael loves working for Hour Community, there is never a dull day!
To find out more about us call 01728 440511
