Mike Canham – chair
Now retired, I have become involved in a number of voluntary activities – In addition to the Parish Council I am Chairman of the Hall Committee, and a Trustee of both the Otterford Charity and the Blackdown Hills Trust.
I have also undertaken a range of projects for local organisations, and helped to run a kids club in Taunton.
I have also discovered beekeeping, Exeter Chiefs rugby, travelling, and two very good pubs in the parish.
I joined the Parish Council in 2011, and became chairman in 2015. I was – and still am – keen to see necessary works and projects undertaken (including some which the County Council can simply no longer afford) and to support social activities. I hope we have achieved that to date, and can continue to do so.
Pippa Vance – clerk
I grew up in Oxfordshire on the Chiltern Hills, and then moved to the West Country for my first job in 1990. I moved from Exeter to the Blackdowns in 2000 with my husband Trayton and our two daughters, who loved the freedom of growing up in such a beautiful part of the country. For me the hills are a home from home with the beech woods.
We are new to Bishopswood village, having only moved to the village in 2024 from the Devon side of the Blackdowns. I am looking forward to getting to know the parish and parishioners better. I have taken on the role of the Parish Clerk part time following Helen’s retirement, and am in the process of learning the ropes.
In my spare time l enjoy gardening, reading an walking my border terrier Peggy.
Emma Lupton
Somerset born and bred, I grew up on a farm on the Brendon Hills. After a few years away, in 1998, my husband Richard and I moved to live in Bishopswood with our two young sons.
I worked as the School Secretary at Buckland St Mary Primary School for 12 years, and served on the PTA. I also worked Front of House at The Candlelight Inn for 3 years. I know The Parish and many of the parishioners very well. I currently work in an operations role in Taunton.
Since living in Bishopswood, I have also served on the local Scout Group Committee, the Otterford Parish Hall Committee, and the PCC at Buckland St Mary.
I joined the Parish Council in September 2024, and am looking forward to using my past experience and knowledge of the area to make a useful contribution to our local community.
Mark Kemp
Mark relocated from London to Somerset in 1987 and moved to Bishopswood in 2014. He worked in the security industry for 30 years designing and installing electronic security systems for prestigious jewellers and fashion houses.
In 2015 he formed Bishopswood maintenance to provide general property maintenance services to people in The Blackdowns and surrounding areas.
Mark’s hobbies include Motor racing and motorcycles but his free time is in demand as granddaughter’s requirements take priority.
Eugenio Leijten
Eugenio, a man of Dutch descent, has called Somerset home since 1980. He moved to Otterford in 2019, after a long and fulfilling career in the shoe and IT industries. Now enjoying a well-deserved semi-retirement, Eugenio finds peace and contentment in the tranquil beauty of the Blackdown Hills, a landscape he deeply cherishes. “I adore this country,” he says, “and Somerset is where I truly feel at ease.” Married to Kim, Eugenio is also a proud father to two grown daughters. In his spare time, he likes to read, has a keen interest in politics and current affairs and loves walking his dog “Rufus”.
Charlie Field
Helen and I moved to the village of Bishopswood in 1999 and were married at St Leonard’s Church, Otterford. I am a Chartered Surveyor and work locally managing a large property portfolio for Somerset County Council.
I recently completed a 10-year stint on the Otterford Parish Hall committee and have been an Otterford Parish Councillor for over 10 years.
My spare time is largely taken care of watching my two sons’ show jumping exploits around the country and looking after our smallholding.