Exec Committee Biogs

Executive Committee Biographies

Rosemary Lockyer

Rosemary was born in Kent. Her career started by her being offered an apprenticeship at local Botanical and Biological Laboratories. After further studies, she taught related subjects in a Comprehensive School in Hertfordshire and later in various schools in Berkshire. She then gained a position lecturing in Biology and associated subjects –Dowsing, Divining, Feng Shui and Holistic Health at Colleges of Further Education. Rosemary opened her own private school in the 1970’s. She set up a business in 1980 which has become the longest-established Holistic Health Centre in the county www.bhhc.me.uk She continues to run this Centre. Rosemary has one daughter and two grandchildren. Her interests are swimming and music which she has also taught successfully. Rosemary founded the Kennet Valley Probus Club in October 2008. RFL.24.11.10

Rob Purr

Born and bred in West London, attempts at education were bravely made by St. Clement Danes School and the London School of Economics. National Service in the Education Branch of the RAF was followed by jobs at BOAC (including learning to fly at Croydon), Dunlop Rubber Company, Reed Paper Group and finally Esso Petroleum for 27 years, all in the so called “management services” area, i.e. “living by one’s wits”! Ultimately they say, “everyone goes west” and I have landed up in Newbury. I am married with three children and six grandchildren. Main interests are aviation combined with family history. I detest gardening but enjoy travel - especially abroad. RP 3.12.10

Carol Grundy

Carol was born and educated in Berkshire and after leaving school attended the Dorothy Smith Secretarial College in Reading. She worked briefly as Typing pool Supervisor for a local company and then PA to the Executive Director of a large company in Reading. In January 1971 she joined the University of Reading as Secretarial/Personnel Assistant to the Personnel Officer. In due course she was promoted, to join a team of four, as Senior Administrative Assistant (Personnel) responsible for the Personnel function in connection with Library/Secretarial/Clerical/ Senior Halls and Nursing Staff (640 in total). She remained at the University for almost 30 years, until December 1997, when she took early retirement in order to spend more time with her husband. Her interests have included dressmaking, oil/watercolour painting, classical music, gardening, rambling, aerobics, holidays abroad and helping her husband with DIY. She joined KVPC on 26th November 2008. CAG 30.5.11

Vic Parry

Vic was born in South London and attended St. Olaves’s Grammar School before joining a London firm of Chartered Accountants. He qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 1967 and moved to Berkshire when he got married. Shortly after qualifying he left professional practice to pursue a career in industry and commerce. In 1989, as Finance Director of a privately-owned manufacturing and distribution company in the materials handling industry he led a management buy-out and took on the role of Managing Director. Subsequently the company was acquired by the UK subsidiary of a leading American company in the same industry and initially Vic became Finance Director of the combined UK group before again assuming the MD role until his retirement. His career afforded the opportunity to travel on business to Japan and America in addition to frequent trips to Europe. Travel remains a keen interest together with golf and walking. Vic is married with three children. He joined Probus in January 2009. VP 1.12.10

Barry Kitson

Barry was born on the Isle of Wight and attended Sandown Grammar School. He joined the Royal Navy and travelled the world. He undertook training as an Electronic Artificer Apprentice, passing out as top Apprentice for his year. Later he passed the promotion board for a pilot but resigned his commission. He pursued a civilian career in electronics before transferring to Personnel and Training work. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has a Diploma in Management Studies. Most of his later career in “Human Resources” was as a Training Manager and Career Consultant in ICL. Barry is married and resided for the first 18 years in Cheshire and has lived in Chieveley since 1984. Hobbies include walking, watercolour painting, meeting friends and nurturing his 25 bonsai trees. He joined KVPC in 2009. BRK 24.11.10

Dennis Grundy

Dennis was born in Surrey and attended Croydon Polytechnical College. He joined the RAF as an Instrument Maker for an initial 3-year apprenticeship at No.1 School of Technical Training at Halton. Thereafter his duties took him all over the UK and the Far East until his 12 year engagement finished. He was then invited to join the Civil Service as an Aircraft Defect Investigator and this took him all over the world sorting out aircraft problems. He gained various technical qualifications and finished his 30 years in the Civil Service at AWE, Aldermaston and ROF, Burghfield as a Quality Manager in charge of an explosives department. Dennis is married and resides in Newbury with his wife Carol. Hobbies have included refurbishment of industrial machines (i.e. mostly old lathes and pillar drills), Rambling and DIY (mending things for Carol). Holidays play a major role in his life where he enjoys lots of Egyptian PT (lying horizontal). He joined KVPC on 26th November 2008. DMG 30.5.11.