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. Currently the WRA is undergoing much-needed reform which is bringing it up to date, a task undertaken by a fresh and skilled team under the Chairmanship of Robert Broad.

Our Association’s future is thus assured. But more than that: I am confident that the WRA will become stronger and more active in championing the interests of Wickham residents. My leadership of the Association is over, but I am proud and honoured to have been asked to become its Honorary President. Anton Hanney

YOUR COMMITTEE

ROBERT BROAD – Chairman
With an engineering background Robert has worked for Ministry of Defence in research, the NHS and subsequently international healthcare companies delivering hospital & healthcare projects worldwide. Robert and Susie moved to the beautiful village of Wickham in 2018. Since November 2021 he has chaired the Wickham Residents Association increasing membership & raising awareness by championing local issues of concern to residents.

In May 2023 Robert was elected to Wickham & Knowle Parish council and serves as vice-chair of the council and chair of the Millennium Green Water Meadows Trust. Robert also serves on planning, recreation and human resources committees.

KATHRYN HOLLADAY – Secretary
Kathryn has lived in Wickham for 16 years and has an educational background, including as a Headteacher. Since retirement, she has been actively involved in a number of local roles. In 2019, she was commissioned by the Parish Council to Chair the Parish Plan Steering Group to do a survey of local residents to get opinions on the future of the parish. She was a founder member of the WRA. In May 2023, she was elected to Wickham & Knowle Parish Council and Chairs the General Purposes sub-committee. She is also a Governor of Wickham Primary School and serves as a Community Care volunteer.

WENDY HOUSE – 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 – Membership Secretary
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 local drainage issues and the effect that new developments have on natural water courses. He is also putting his IT skills to good use in collating our residents opinions with online surveys and our website. 

NIC HOLLADAY – Committee Member
Nic is the founding Chair of Wickham Community Land Trust, which now provides 18 affordable homes in Wickham for local people. He led the WRA Mill Lane Sports Site survey (2021) and analysis of the ‘Fieldform’ draft Needs Assessment. He led a challenge, upheld by the Ombudsman, regarding traffic issues in relation to the surgery extension. Committee member of WRA since 2022 and elected to Parish Council May 2023, where he Chairs the Recreation Committee. He has lived in Wickham for 42years. Before retirement worked in the pharmaceutical industry.

SUSIE BROAD – Committee Member
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 & Press Officer
Mike moved from Yorkshire to Wickham with his wife two 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

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.

DARREN JOHNSON – Committee Member
Originally from West Sussex, Darren and his wife moved to Wickham in 2022. Having served in the Royal Military Police at nearby Southwick Park, it did not take long for Wickham to stand out as an appealing place to live and put down roots. Darren has subsequent experience in the Home Office and more recently as a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence. He is keen to promote community cohesion and preserve quintessential British village life. 

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.