John Harfield

Nominated by: Bedfordshire Parish Councils

I have been a Harlington Parish Councillor for some 40 years and chaired the council when Harlington became the first burial authority to introduce a new and badly needed cemetery within the severe restrictions imposed by the then NRA.

I frequently attended the training and planning workshop sessions organised by the CCB for local councillors as well as the sessions on restoration of waterways and other countryside matters, linking CCB projects with our local groups and businesses.  A group of us were instrumental in helping Harlington Parish Council buy for the village, the hilltop stand of woodland that echoes on a small scale,  Sharpenhoe Clappers on the far side of the valley, saving it from asset stripping of its trees.

I have always hoped my feedback at CCB planning workshops has helped the CCB scrutinise development plans for those items not shown in applications, as well as evaluating those that are.

To me, the Chilterns represent the epitome of the English countryside and I have spent 40 years trying to keep my own village much as I know my fellow residents want  – semi-rural; not an extension of an urban area such as Dunstable or Luton.

Background:

Now retired from a scientific career first in fluoropolymer research and then in microparticle and cell technology during which I became an “expert” in sub-clinical mastitis in cattle which introduced me to many in the farming community in the Chilterns, as well as internationally.

My wife and I moved to Harlington in 1973 and have lived here ever since. We have a daughter now living in a Northamptonshire village.