Andy O’Neill

Representative roles:

• Climate working group
• Defibrillators
• Planning
• Policies
• Poor’s Land trustee

Career: Andy’s career started in the electronics industry, after which he worked in education, starting as a teacher in a primary school in Northamptonshire and eventually being head teacher in two schools. He thoroughly enjoyed his career and promoted health and well-being of self, colleagues and children within his care. He practised honesty, courage and wisdom with an adherence to strong moral and ethical values. These values were modelled by all staff to create a shared vision for children and parents. The experience he gained in industry provided him with a wider vision of education and the workplace, and as head teacher he encouraged awareness of community responsibility and global citizenship.

Local interests:

Mickleton Society

Mickleton Gardening Club

Mickleton Theatregoers

Hobbies:  Rugby, Football – especially Manchester City, Golf – he tries his best, Cricket – especially being at Lords with his son – and soon his grandchildren.  His daughter enjoys taking him shopping.  Walking in the Cotswolds – Red Kite conservation.

Andy is looking forward to joining the Bidford Gliding Club next spring

Family: Andy is now retired and recently moved to Mickleton with his wife Mairead. He has two children who both work and reside in west London. He currently has four grandchildren and one on the way. He is a previous owner of two black Labradors.

Reason for joining the parish council: To maintain and improve quality of life in the parish. Andy has always tried to support his local community wherever he has lived. One of his main successes was in establishing a voluntary group of people for his church. This supported the local community by providing assistance relating to housing, health, counselling and recreational activities. He is a friendly and warm person who will always listen to people’s concerns or ideas – and being a trustworthy and caring person he has a great sense of humour.

Interesting fact: For a number of years Andy was Father Christmas for his village and enjoyed arriving at Santa’s grotto on the village green in his neighbour’s 1930s Lagonda.