Your committee

Graham and Barbara Valentine purchased their house on the edge of Somerford Lagoon in April 2018. They chose Lower Mill because of the natural environment, the facilities and the opportunity to explore the Cotswolds. Graham is a semi-retired businessman and Barbara is a retired teacher. They previously lived in Switzerland for almost 30 years before returning to the UK.

A keen swimmer, Graham can be regularly seen at the Spa while Barbara is more focused on the nature and in particular the bird life around Lower Mill.

Graham’s interest in joining the LMEHA committee is to develop the Lower Mill community of second-home owners and to maintain and develop Lower Mill as a special place.
Graham is a member of the Somerford Keynes Parish Council. As a parish councillor, he is hoping to build good relationships between the parish and the LMEHA as well as being the LMEHA voice on the parish council.

Stuart has the dual role of treasurer and social secretary for LMEHA.

Stuart and his wife purchased their cottage in Mill Village in 2007 as a base for family and friends.

Thirteen years on it is still doing just that and we enjoy Lower Mill just as much now as when we bought it.


Hilary and her husband Jim moved back to the UK after 30+ years living in Bermuda, California, and Colorado. Being retired, keen walkers and wildlife watchers, they were drawn to Lower Mill because it offered the ability to spend time surrounded by beautiful lakes, wildflower meadows, and wildlife. Conscious that Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries, they were very happy to invest in a development that bucks the trend and puts nature first. After a detour which involved buying a plot on Minety Lake, Hilary and Jim purchased a property on Howells Mere, overlooking Swillbrook Lakes.

Hilary joined the committee in 2021. She is the lead on the rural subcommittee and the Nature Club. Her interests include ensuring that the estate continues to prioritise wildlife habitat, pushing for more green and sustainable practices, and using her career experience to help LME’s waste collection system be more user-friendly and efficient.

Tim is the committee member who reviews the budgets and expenditures on the estate on behalf of LMEHA.

Tim (and Suzanne) have owned their property in Clearwater since 2013 and self-manage renting it out to family groups, as well as using it for themselves and their families. Tim has lived locally for 15 years and knows the area well, enjoying many local walks and village life.

Tim is involved with Whitefriars Sailing Club, which is just down the road from LME, where he is a sailing instructor and also runs the training group.

Jo and her husband, Steve, have owned their Clearwater house since 2005. Over the years it has provided a welcome escape from work and city life. Jo is a regular early morning swimmer at the spa and enjoys getting out and about on the estate and surrounding countryside by bike and foot.

Jo joined the committee in 2021 having recently retired from a career in finance and project management. She is keen to help build on the community spirit and sustainable enjoyment of the leisure facilities that make Lower Mill a special place to relax and unwind.

Ryan joined the committee in 2018, a year after buying a house in Howells Mere. 

Ryan, with his wife Sally and young daughter Amber, uses their house as an escape from their home in central London and have enjoyed meeting so many neighbours. 

Ryan bought a house at Lower Mill as a second home in a secure environment with a family-centric neighbourly community. Through his involvement in LMEHA, he aims to ensure this element of Lower Mill continues.

Andy and his wife Fiona purchased their plot on Howells Mere in 2011.  With their teenage family (Ella and Jasper) have been regular visitors to LME, and have entertained their wider family and friends at the house since it was completed in Sept 2012.  Andy and Fiona are professional geologists and this is reflected in their interest in the Cotswold landscapes and the natural world. Both are also active and enjoy exploring the trails within and beyond the estate on foot and cycle. Andy is also a keen swimmer and can be regularly seen at the Spa in the early mornings.

Andy has been a committee member since 2016 and was chairman from 2017-2021 when he strived to improve communication with members and used the official status of the association to influence the landlord and its agents on matters related to the management of the estate.  Andy is a passionate advocate that the service charges have to be controlled to a level that they do not have a negative influence on property resales and that the costs have to be fairly distributed amongst homeowners.  At the same time, Andy is seeking ways to promote the neighbourly spirit between homeowners so that the estate remains a thriving community of second homeowners and does not become a holiday complex approaching the likes of ‘Center Parcs’.

Reg has recently (May 2019) become a member of the committee but has lived in Howells Mere since 2009.

Reg and his wife Sue bought “off plan” in 2007 having been lured by the thought of a peaceful retreat where they could relax, and spend time enjoying the expanse of the estate and spa with their children and grandchildren.
The estate, its location in the Cotswolds and its proximity to Cirencester never disappoint, it is a wonderful part of the world.

They both enjoy sports, especially rugby and cricket, travelling and gardening.

Reg worked in the city of London as an IT manager/director for an investment manager until retiring in 2017 after some 35 years.