Who’s Who? Pen Portraits

Philippa Bellows: Foundation Governor

I am currently the assistant curate at West Dartmoor Mission Community. Before ordination I worked as a primary school teacher before becoming a theological educator and university lecturer in teacher education. My doctorate focusses on practical theology from an educational perspective. My academic research centres on education outside the formal environment and theology. 

I was born and brought up in Devon and have spent most of my adult life in the Dartmoor area. I’m the mother of three, now adult, children and grandmother of one teenager, one tweenager and a toddler. I have a passion for rural ministry, rural schools and the environment.  I am interested in facilitating cohesion between church schools and local communities for the flourishing of children and families. 

Philip Gasche:  Foundation Governor

I have been a governor for the West Dartmoor Federation since December 2019. Before retiring, I worked in the IT industry and business within the public and private sectors. I was fortunate that during my career I had the opportunity of working overseas before moving to Devon in 1991.

My three children attended Meavy school where my late wife was clerk to the governors for many years. Meavy provided all my children with such a well-rounded start both in education and in life that I wanted to play a small part in ensuring that today’s young people have a similar experience at Lady Modiford’s and Meavy schools. 

I enjoy playing tennis, cycling, walking, and skiing

Shirley Herod:  Foundation Governor

I was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and lived there until I went to Keswick Hall C of E Teacher Training College in Norwich, Norfolk. When qualified I remained in Norfolk teaching there for the next 35 years. I taught in First Schools and Primary and my love has always been teaching Early Years and KS1 children. I have a son who is a Surgeon Commander in the Royal Navy and a daughter who is Assistant Principal at Tavistock College. I moved to Devon after my Partner passed away so that I could be near to my family. I have three grandsons, two of them at Meavy and one at Penmoor Nursery. I played in a Senior Netball Team whilst living in Norfolk and enjoy skiing and walking. My other hobbies are gardening and reading, and I love spending time with my grandchildren.

Alison Rogers: Parent Governor

Hi, I'm Alison, a parent governor at Lady Modiford's and Meavy schools. My son, George, joined Lady Modifords in Reception in September 2021, the day after we moved to Devon from Kent! 

I became a parent governor here in January 2022. 

I am enjoying getting to know the schools and the beautiful Dartmoor scenery. I love walking on the moors with my husband, Ian, and George. Since moving here, I have joined a local Morris dancing side which is great fun. This has taken me to lots of local villages to perform as well as Widecombe Fair, Buckland Abbey and The Royal Cornwall Show. 

Sarah Milne: Foundation Governor

I was born in Buckinghamshire and lived there until 2018, when I came down to Devon to be nearer to my three adult children and five small grandchildren.   

I have spent my working life as a court and parliamentary reporter, mainly in London, which I now do on a part-time basis.  When not working, I am a Family and Criminal Magistrate, a Parish Councillor on Burrator Parish Council and I help out with the local allotment group called Blooming Idiots. 

My partner is Andrew, a retired graphic designer.  We live in Walkhampton with our two dogs, Skippy and Murphy.  I also enjoy spending time with Andrew's Grandson Alexander, who is six and lives with his family in Yelverton. 

It has been my great pleasure to work with and for children over a long period of time both in my working life and on a voluntary basis.  Now that I am settled in Walkhampton, I look forward to learning more of the life of the children and staff at Meavy and St Modiford Schools.

Kirsty Sidgreaves:  Foundation Governor (Chair)

I was born up in the bonnie Highlands of Scotland.  We left Scotland when I was quite young and moved from country to county.  The longest stays included America, Germany and Austria.  We returned to the UK when I was a teenager and I later graduated in European Business Studies with German and Spanish.  I followed my dad’s footsteps into the world of business. I spent all my career in the corporate world working my way up the career ladder.  Working in industry gave me the great opportunity to travel the world mainly across Europe and included time in Chicago and China.  During this time, I also graduated from Exeter University with a Masters in Business.  After 25 years I decided to follow one of my life time’s ambitions to create and build my own business.  I am now the Founder and Owner of a children’s lifestyle brand Sid and Tumble. 

In other parts of my life, I am married to Martin and we have a pony, tractor loving son Alex who attends Meavy School.  We love travelling, eating out and spending time with our friends and family.

Andrew Thomas:  Ex Officio Priest in Charge (Vice Chair)

Link:  http://www.westdartmoor.church

I was brought up and schooled in Surrey. Following a career as a nurse in paediatric cardio thoracic medicine, I attended theological college at Westcott House, Cambridge. Ordained in 2010 I served my curacy at Cookham, Berkshire, which included being the governor of 2 church schools. Following my curacy I took up a post as a Royal Naval Chaplain, attending basic officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. In 2014, I became the Rector of five rural parishes on Exmoor in Somerset, where I built a ministry team, and served as a governor of the local church primary school. I came to be the Rector of the West Dartmoor Mission Community at the beginning of the Pandemic in 2020, and as well as being the parish priest for our communities, I’m delighted to be a governor and take an active part in the life of our schools.

If all this didn’t keep me busy enough, I am also a retained Firefighter with the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service based at Yelverton. My partner Mark and I, share the custody of a naughty Dachshund called Monty.