Jane Rintoul – Secretary
Prior to her retirement in 2017 Jane worked for the Department for International Development in Whitehall and abroad, joining in 2001 as a Senior Governance Adviser in Vietnam, before heading up their offices in Mozambique, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In Whitehall, she led the secretariat supporting DFID offices and programmes worldwide, interspersed with a stint as Director for East and Central Africa, Jane also worked in the former UK Department of Social Security as Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State and in a variety of policy and operational roles. During her time at DSS, she was seconded to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals UK and to the youth development NGO, Raleigh International (in Namibia), which kick-started her interest in international development. Following Raleigh, Jane left Whitehall to work for International Save the Children Alliance as the chief of staff to the International CEO based in London, and then moved to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the UK.
Jane was born and raised in Daventry and outside of work enjoys walking, horse-riding, and making glass art. She was awarded a CBE for public service in 2017 and is currently a foster carer and community litter-picker! She is married with one son.
Jane is a founder trustee of Buckby Library & Hub and currently has responsibility for reporting to and liaising with the Charity Commission and Long Buckby Parish Council and drafting numerous policies. She organises and records the minutes of trustee and management meetings and line-manages the BL&H manager and volunteers on library services and the events bar.
Jo Watson – Treasurer & Website
Jo has a background in both finance and corporate event management and design. Finance: starting in theatre in Oxford she moved to London to join Andrew Lloyd-Webbers Really Useful Group during its period of intense growth and expansion – no two days were ever the same and the excitement of a new show, theatre purchase and innovations certainly made doing sums more interesting! After a year travelling across Africa (camping!), India, Asia and Australia she returned to establish her own events management and design company working with clients such as Ofgem, NHS, EDF and Tube Lines (Northern/Piccadilly). She combined her love of theatre and passion for disability inclusion by supporting Extant, the UK’s leading professional performing arts charity that explores visual impairment to create unique and innovative artistic experiences and performances. She also ran Brixton Splash, an annual day street festival which regularly attracted over 22,000 visitors.
Having grown up on a farm in the Cotswolds and after twenty years in vibrant Brixton Jo moved to Long Buckby in 2014 to return to country living and crucially, access to a station as she doesn’t drive. When not working or volunteering Jo indulges in gardening, reading, cooking, drawing and heads off to gigs and theatre shows whenever she can.
Following other charity roles and being an avid volunteer (London Paralympics, Cricket and Athletics World Cups, the 2014 ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ poppy waterfall installation for example) Jo became a founder trustee of Buckby Library & Hub providing finance, charity, business planning, grant fundraising and events expertise. She also maintains the website.
Hazel Johnson – Fundraising
Hazel has 45 years’ experience of teaching, research and academic leadership and management at The Open University (OU). Now retired but with a continuing attachment to the OU, she held several different leadership roles in undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum and research supervision, building international partnerships, and consolidating her department’s role inside and out of the university. Her academic focus was on different aspects of global (international) development – such as the challenges of making a living and social organisation for meeting development needs. Her work before and at the OU took her to several countries in Central and South America, Africa and to India. Prior to the OU, Hazel worked in the non-governmental sector and social services. She has been a trustee of a number of non-governmental organisations, and was most recently on the board of the Co-operative College in Manchester.
Hazel has lived in Long Buckby since 2007. She sings with Long Buckby Community Choir and is also a member of the History Society. Hazel loves walking in the countryside, going to the cinema, seeing live performances of music and theatre, and going to art exhibitions. She is married to Daniel Tabor who chairs the Cotton End Park Committee and is a trustee of the Buckby Feast Trust.
As a founder trustee, Hazel has been closely involved with the development of Buckby Library & Hub. She raises money through grant applications and fundraising events to improve building infrastructure and services for the community, organises cultural and educational events, and writes material for the Buckby Buzz and other village newsletters.
John Peachey – H&S, Building Maintenance
John started and finished in building and related materials supply and distribution both as a supplier and a distributor. His forte was procurement, change management and people development. John retired early from Travis Perkins where he was Buying Director in 2013, having been diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2008.
Since retirement John has developed interests within the charity sector, putting his acquired skills to use, including from 2011-2022: Trustee for RC Diocese of Northampton, Chair for the Diocesan Health and Safety committee, link Trustee to the Safeguarding team and a local church-council member. Also a telephone advisor at Citizens Advice in 2014/15, Chair for the Northampton, Daventry and Towcester Parkinsons Branch and 121 Peer group member.
John has lived in the Long Buckby area for over 30 years, originating from Essex and has been married to Liz since 1974 with three 3 children and one grandchild.
Currently John has a role primarily in two charities, one national and one local. Nationally his Parkinsons role involves being a financial assistance team member, offering recruitment advice (both regionally and nationally) and a contributor to drug development. Locally, John became a trustee of Buckby Library & Hub in July 2022, a role that involves working with a dedicated team of volunteers to develop a true Hub for the residents of the village and its surroundings. He also has primary responsibility for maintenance of the building and outside spaces and all things health and safety. He also has an advisory role to West Northants Council as one of four appointed independent persons.