About us

Meet the Turntable Committee

Ginny Cooper

Chairman

Ginny moved to Wheathampstead in May 2015 from Harpenden where her children grew up. She wanted to become part of the community so joined WEB as through her job at St Albans Enterprise Agency, she has gained a wealth of knowledge to help small businesses start, grow and develop so hopes that her knowledge will be put to good use in helping Wheathampstead businesses. In April 2018 Ginny took over the organisation of the networking meetings and has seen a steady growth in the number of attendees who have all benefitted from informative speakers and increased sales through contacts made at these meetings. In April 2021 Ginny took over the Chairman’s role and said: “I am really pleased to take on this role but it really is a team effort and I’m very fortunate to lead a committee of dedicated and passionate people whose aim is to promote, support and protect Wheathampstead businesses”.

Richard Brett

Secretary

Richard Brett has lived in Wheathampstead for 25 years. “I joined WEB when we were running our own insurance consultancy but I am now retired and enjoy volunteering for various local organisations. I have been secretary of WEB for several years.

Claire Farley

Treasurer

Claire Farley has been an active committee member (and ex-chair of Wheathampstead Businesses) and is now offering to support us as our Treasurer. Claire has run 2by2 Holidays for many years and knows what a business needs to underatand about its finances.

Julie Bell

Committee member

Julie Bell has lived in Wheathampstead for 25 years. Julie says: “I have been a member of WEB for many years – largely representing Wheathampstead & District Preservation Society as my main occupation has been in London. I am particularly interested in the Buy It Locally campaign. I have recently retired and looking forward to getting to know village life all the more”.

Claire Farley

Committee member

Claire is the founder of two travel companies – Auriel Holidays, which sells luxury holidays worldwide and 2by2 Holidays, which sells wildlife holidays to Africa, Latin America & India.

Claire has been a member of the WEB committee for 12 years and her invaluable role is fundraising for events, seeking sponsorship and arranging Village Day marquees.

Chantal Fisher

Committee member

Chantal from Chantal’s Gifts is a member of WEB Turntable and she handles all the marketing and social media. She is also on the BILLY (Buy It LocaLY) sub group. Chantal is also a regular attendee at the lunchtime networking events and has been known to wield her litter picker while walking her dog!

Iain Begg

Committee member

Iain has lived in the village since 2004 and ran a successful coffee shop and art gallery on Wheathampstead High St for a few years before returning to his city based Project Management consulting business. Iain’s other business ventures have included a recruitment service, a luggage venture (patenting his invention and designing bespoke business luggage) and building a property portfolio.

Iain is heavily involved in several local volunteer organisations, is a Councillor on Wheathampstead Parish Council and was a major contributor to the Wheathampstead Neighbourhood Plan.

A sample of our recent achievements in 2023

Invited our MP to visit to show him the difficulties of viewing CcTv footage after a petty crime

Had a stall at Village day which attracted lots of children & dog lovers

Crowd-funded £4,600 which was donated to the Post Office to enable them to buy a new security shutter

Held 20 networking events where local businesses were promoted & recommended

Celebrated 20 years of promoting, supporting & protecting local businesses and the economy

Participated in the Remembrance Day parade & our Chairman read the roll call

Had a stall at the village Lights up & gave away (free) chocolate dipped strawberries & marshmallows

Donated to Mind Herts & Cancer Hair Care through a postbox topper which gave much joy all round