Meet your Councillors
Sally Shorthose - Chair
I have lived in Churt with my husband Mike (and when not away, our grown up sons Matthew and Ollie) since 2013, having first moved to the area more than 30 years ago. Churt is a special village; vibrant, friendly and so close to many beautiful areas.
We have become somewhat involved in village life, in concerts, quizzes, safari suppers, making community lunches and a cameo role in CADS!
In my professional life, I am a senior partner at an international law firm, specialising in intellectual property and pharmaceutical regulatory law (less niche than it sounds!). I have also spent 11 years working as a lawyer in industry. Whilst based in London, I work from home regularly.
I have been involved in several local activities and associations, including the Woolmer Hill Sports Association, where I was not only MD but looked after Sunday morning catering and have made an inordinate number of bacon/sausage sandwiches, and vats of chilli, over the years.
My hobbies include music, (singing, flute, piano), walking (usually with our enormous and affectionate dogs), entertaining (the more guests the better) , fine wine, cooking, rugby (watching and enthusiastic club supporter!) & current affairs.
Stephen Wright - Vice Chair
I have lived and worked in the area for more than 15 years. I am a geologist, and having worked in many countries now work in Farnham for an energy consultancy mainly working on projects in Africa, Middle East and Central Asia.
When not working I enjoy walking in the local area, gardening, learning woodworking skills and in learning about the local environment and history.
Pippa Harrison - Councillor
I have lived in the village for 21 years with my husband and 3 children. I previously lived in Godalming and Guildford so have always regarded myself a local to Waverley area.
I have worked for the past 10 years as a part time Administrator for a small Chartered Equine Physiotherapy practice since having children.
I joined a couple of committees in the village when we first moved here including the Fete committee, which I am now back on representing the Parish Council. I enjoy all aspects of village life and try to help when and where I can.
I enjoy the country life and love spending time with our horses and dogs on the beautiful common land we have surrounding us.
Planning (Chair), Environment, Wicket Wood, Recreation Ground
Myra Johnson - Councillor
A resident of Churt for some 40 years, I worked in business process, systems and information management roles for ICL, Xerox and Imperial College. Now retired, I am delighted to have more time for voluntary roles as a governor of St. John’s School, a member of Surrey Wildlife Trust and as a Churt Parish Councillor, focusing on planning, environmental matters and the Net Zero for Churt initiative. I am also very pleased to have more time to enjoy the outstanding natural environment that surrounds Churt.
Concern for the environmental issues which we face globally prompted me to study Natural Science and Environmental Science topics with the Open University when I retired. I am a great believer in ‘think global, act local’ and that each and every small thing that we do to help the environment makes a difference.
Lisa Martin - Councillor
I grew up in Churt, leaving home for University and then working life in London. Nearly 20 years ago, I returned to live in the village with my husband and then young son, to enjoy the best of both worlds - the large open green spaces of Churt and the buzz of London (and beyond) for work. I work as a consultant in the transport planning and infrastructure space, striving to make towns and cities better places to live and work.
I joined the Parish Council in 2018, keen to lend my professional experience to the Planning and Roads and Transport portfolios. I served as Chair of the Council between 2021 and 2024. Having spent most of my life living in Churt, I am keen to contribute to maintaining a vibrant village community for future generations to enjoy.
Stephen Morgan - Councillor
I have lived in Churt with my wife Kate and three children for the past 16 years and previously 10 years in Frensham. We love the area and value the beauty of our local environment.
Now semi-retired, my day job is in support of our disabled son and in between trying to make use of the spare time I have now acquired, part of which I am delighted to contribute to our local community on the Parish Council.
Previously, my professional experience was in IT and Network sales and technical consultancy, mainly in and around London and with spells internationally.
Interests include anything to do with nature and our local environment, sailing at Frensham Pond, walking and cycling.
Dominic Raeside - Councillor
I have lived in Churt since 2000 with my wife Vivienne and our three daughters (who are now independent adults). We love village life and have been involved with: CADS, CHAPS, St John’s (church and school), Village hall, Tennis club, community lunch etc. Joining the parish council has therefore been an extension of my community involvement.
My professional background is as a Social worker and a Psychotherapist however I jointly formed a Family Law firm in the mid 1990’s where I head the mediation department. Recently I have moved to working part time as I gently head towards retirement.
I feel passionately about the importance of community, its place, its history and more importantly its people. To have a sense of belonging and to participate in community life is, I believe, a fundamental building block of good mental health and living life well.
Mike Shorthose - Councillor
I have lived in Churt for over 10 years and have been in the area since 1989. Over the years, as well as bringing up our two boys with Sally, I have been involved locally with Haslemere Rugby Club (I was chairman for a number of years) and St John’s School as a Governor until last year. In addition to my Parish responsibilities, I am the Treasurer of Grayshott Concerts.
Professionally I work in the aviation industry having built a consultancy business in the air traffic management and airport sector.
When Sally and I moved to Churt we were attracted by its strong sense of community. I am passionate about ensuring Churt continues to grow as a successful and sustainable rural community working in harmony with the larger towns in Waverley.
Julian Spence - Councillor
I was brought up in neighbouring Frensham but have lived in Churt for the last 24 years with my wife and two children.
For most of those years I was working working full time in London, latterly as Chief Risk Officer and then Chief Operating Officer for a major reinsurance company. However, now I have retired and the children have left home I am relishing the opportunity to help the village community.
I am a keen walker and cyclist and believe we are only custodians of this beautiful countryside and have a duty to our children and grandchildren to keep Churt the special place that it is.
In 2023 I was re-elected as Waverley Borough Councilor for the Hindhead and Beacon Hill Ward.
Clerk to the Council
Dawn Barrow
I have been a Churt resident since 2000 and in that time have been actively involved in many aspects of village life. I am currently Chair of the local Amdram society (CADS) as well as Parish Clerk, since 2012.
Originally trained as a chartered surveyor in London, I have been married to Roddy since 1991, have 3 grown up children and a menagerie of animals including 3 horses, 3 dogs, a parrot and a hand reared seagull!!!
Being Parish Clerk is an immensely rewarding role, I really feel I can 'make a difference' and improve village life.
This was especially evident during the Covid pandemic when a small team of councillors and myself set up the Churt Covid Support Group and were all honoured by Jeremy Hunt MP, as South West Surrey Heroes.
Waverley Borough Councillors
07493 2003
David Munro - Waverley Councillor
David was elected as a Waverley councillor in a by-election in May 2022. He has lived in the ward for over 30 years and has had a long career as a local councillor in Farnham, culminating in a spell as Chairman of Surrey County Council 2013-15. He was Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner 2016-2021.
He is active in local community affairs, serving as a volunteer in the Frensham Village Shop and as Treasurer of the Village Lunch. He is also a Trustee of the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, Treasurer of the Victoria Garden in Farnham, a Trustee and Treasurer of Wrecclesham Community Centre, and Chair of the national restorative justice charity 'Why Me?'
In his spare time he cycles, walks and rings church bells.
James Staunton - Waverley Councillor
James Staunton is the founder of Air Cover PR, a corporate PR consultancy specialising in thought-leadership and the creation of research content.
James started out at PriceWaterhouseCoopers before becoming an analyst at financial PR firm Tulchan.
Having shifted into reputation management, he started at the Wriglesworth Consultancy in 2006 and was appointed to the board in 2013. Having bought into the firm, when Wriglesworth was sold in January 2015, James became a partner in the new parent group, Instinctif.
He set up Air Cover PR in 2020, following the purchase of Instinctif Partners by LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group from previous backers Vetruvian.
He became a borough councillor in 2023.