Who We Are
History
Wickham Residents Association was formed in 2014 following an initial, well-attended public meeting. The Association’s main aim is to do all it can to give voice to issues affecting the welfare of our community when its needs and concerns are overlooked or under-estimated by authority. Acting, often in conjunction with other community groups such as Wickham Society, our focus has been largely to give voice to the need to provide adequate infrastructure to support the major planning changes going on around us, and to oppose those plans when they pose a threat to our community.
To that end, particularly over issues concerning traffic, drainage, flooding and environmental issues in general, our Association has been involved in meetings with Hampshire and Winchester Councils aswell as Wickham Parish Council, bringing pressure to bear when necessary.
YOUR COMMITTEE
WENDY HOUSE – Chair / Treasurer
Wendy was born locally and is long standing member of the WRA, having been its Treasurer since its founding in 2014. Wendy has a degree in Youth Work, she undertakes fostering and having lived in Wickham for 13 years, she brings valuable WRA experience to the committee.
STEVE BROWN – Committee Member / Membership Sec
Steve’s career has been in IT within the finance and construction industries. Since moving to Wickham in 2015 he has been active campaigner with regards to the negative impact that new developments have on our natural water courses. We are also benefiting from Steve’s IT skills with regards to our website and online surveys.
GEOFF BURTON – Committee Member
Geoff moved from Kent to Wickham in 2021 after he retired. Previously he lived and worked in Kent where he was a Partner in a practice of Architects, Engineers and Surveyors. He is a Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer and is particularly interested in the built environment and its impact on plants and animals as well as humans. On moving to Wickham he noted that traffic in the area was one of the main concerns of residents that he spoke to. Geoff decided to join the WRA and actively campaign for matters that they were raising. Since joining the committee he has been working on a traffic plan for the village and also was part of the working party that successfully helped to fight off the proposed landfill in Titchfield Lane.
After a period overseas due to her husbands’ work, Robert and Susie returned in 2018 and settled in Wickham. They love the village and are both passionate about retaining it’s character. Robert took over chairmanship of the WRA in 2021 & Susie joined in 2022 to support their work. She represents the association in the Glebe Working Party looking into the future management and preservation of Glebe Meadow – a site of historical importance.
MIKE PERKINS – Committee Member
Mike moved from Yorkshire to Wickham with his wife four years ago. A marketing and retail specialist he has been a Director in several UK and International Companies. “Embracing change whilst maintaining the rural village nature of Knowle and Wickham is a key challenge”. Mike has been closely involved with the successful campaign regarding the Funtley Tip Solar Farm.
Our Core Values
- To represent the interests of, and promote membership to all residents within the defined area.
- To promote the interests and rights of residents and to encourage them to be actively involved.
- To ensure that all residents are consulted and informed regularly.
- To work towards improving the quality of life for local residents and the local community.
- To be non-political
- To represent the majority view of the community and members.
- To take into account the views of children and young people who are not old enough to be voting member
Equalities and Diversity
The WICKHAM RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (WRA) is an unincorporated community interest, not-for-profit organisation, covering the geographical area defined as Wickham.
The WRA will ensure everybody has an equal opportunity, and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. The WRA will take into account the differences between people and groups of people and place positive value on those differences and will try and ensure venues and information sharing is as inclusive as possible.