Sue and her dog Otto first met in 2018, since then he’s barely left her side.  They walk the Common most days and love the smells, sights and meeting other dogs (and their owners) when out. 

Sue has lived at Beech Ridge, a short walk from the Common, since 2014. She is a Chartered Surveyor and has worked for most of her career on the construction of public buildings, mostly schools. She has previously been Chair of Governors at her children’s school and also a trustee of a local Multi Academy Trust.  

Good financial management, land legals and general land management are central to her work and she intends to bring all of this experience to the role of Chair of trustees for the Friends of Kinsbourne Green Common.  

Having previously lived in St Albans, Rachel only moved to Kinsbourne Green earlier in 2023, but she has enjoyed walking on the Common every day with her dogs Raisin and Coco ever since. Raisin enjoys sniffing and bounding around with other dogs whilst Coco enjoys barking hello at everyone whilst Rachel tries to say hello to their owners! 

Rachel and her family live at the newly renovated Kinsbourne House which is only a stones throw away from the Common and its position overlooking the Common was one of the main attractions of moving to Kinsbourne Green.

She is a qualified teacher, although she has taken a break from teaching in recent years to look after her family and she helps out in a number of community volunteer positions. She is very excited to be part of the Friends of Kinsbourne Green Common and its protection is of paramount importance to Rachel to ensure that both humans and their four legged friends can continue to enjoy it for years to come.

A Yorkshire lass born and bred, Rachel was beguiled by the bright lights of the big smoke, living in London for several years before moving to Harpenden in 2002. Yearning for the green fields of her childhood, Rachel moved to Annables Lane in 2009 with her husband, Ken, and their son, Nathan, while heavily pregnant with their second child. Annabel was born in the lounge, hence her name! Rachel also enjoys being step-mum to Ken’s two sons, now grown up, and she and Ken are delighted to have recently become grandparents, although clearly far too young for that title!

A woolly whirlwind blew into their lives a few years ago, and as the first furry love of her adult life, Dexter the cockapoo became Rachel’s muse and inspiration behind retraining to become a dog groomer. Rachel opened Dexter’s Grooming Shed in January 2018, a small garden salon at her home, The Willows, where she is the sole groomer, happily working 1-1 with many dogs from the local area and beyond. Prior to that Rachel worked in graphic design, and still keeps her hand in on a voluntary basis producing flyers and posters for other charitable organisations.

Rachel can often be seen on the Common walking Dexter and his younger “brother” Tommy. Tommy is a very naughty border terrier and locals may have come across him independently while on one of his many escapades! Living up to his rockstar namesake, Tommy Lee has even been known to take a trot to The Fox resulting in terrified calls from the punters supping their drinks.

Rachel loves Kinsbourne Green Common and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the local community to preserve our wonderful green space for all to enjoy, both now and in the future, whether they be two or four (or more!) legged.

Kate moved to Kinsbourne Green five years ago with her husband Simon, two daughters and a dog called Watson.  Since then she's also collected a cat, four sheep, a horse, some chickens and a very large puppy called Grace.

Kate spends much of her time in fields or up trees since moving to the Old Dairy, and has spent the past few years learning about growing and caring for the countryside through volunteering, researching and practicing at home! 

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Kate is a member of Harpenden Rural Parish Council and has enjoyed getting to know many people in Kinsbourne Green over the past few years when out walking the dogs or delivering Parish Council leaflets.

Community is paramount to Kate, and she enjoys nothing more than getting together with others to work towards a common goal - whether it's fundraising, litter picking or organising events.  She has worked in PR for most of her career to date, and was previously chair of the PTA at her primary school in St Albans before moving to Harpenden. 

Tim moved to Kinsbourne Green in 2015 after his wife, Claire, fell in love with Whip Cottage and the surrounding common. Having grown up in St Albans, Tim spent many years living in London before being drawn back to Hertfordshire with his young family including two daughters, two cats, and Nala the Chow Chow. He's significantly outnumbered!

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Tim works as a technology manager for a US-based proprietary trading firm, which makes him the resident geek for the charity. Looking after the technology and security for the organisation is familiar territory.

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Outside of work, Tim enjoys getting away from his desk, whether he's in the garage or outside. He loves learning new skills, whether that's DIY on a listed building, underneath a car, or anything that requires some thought. He's excited to get stuck in on the Common and meet like-minded people that want to build a thriving community around it.