Joe Bannister

I am the owner and managing director of Nathans Chartered Certified Accountants. Born and bred in Lytham St. Annes I have lived on the Fylde coast all my life and worked most of it there also. I live in Blackpool with my wife Kate while my daughters are studying in Huddersfield and London. I am a keen golfer and enjoy squash, taekwondo (2^nd Dan Black Belt), travel, literature and art.

Joy Killip

Joy was in the entertainment section of the Royal Air Force for 8 years and then spent 10 years in Repertory Theatre before becoming a hotelier in Blackpool.  Although now retired as a hotelier she has a remaining interest in a local hairdressing salon.

She was a founding member of the Society’s Talking Newspaper Service over 30 years ago, along with being a past Chairman of the Society’s Appeals Committee  (former name of our fund raising committee – now disbanded). Joy resigned from the Appeals Committee to become Vice-Chairman of the Talking Newspaper Sub-Committee a position she held until she became the Chairman of the Talking Newspaper in 1990.  Joy is a very active Chairman being greatly involved in the running of the Talking Newspaper Service and the ‘voice’ of the Searchlight programme.

Joy is also a member of the Social and Residential Care Sub-Committee and a Trustee of the Society.

Joy’s hobbies include  playing, directing and coaching for local drama groups.  She is a past Chairman of Blackpool Operatic Players and lead player.

Pat Lord

I am 68 years old and have lived locally all of my life. I have 5 children and 9 grandchildren. My hobbies include gardening, travelling, reading, music, theatre, enjoying days out with my friends and going to the gym.

I retired from the Nuclear Industry at the end of 2001 after nearly 30 years. I worked for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in the Accounts Department until 1994 and then for British Nuclear Fuels as a Contractor with the Decommissioning Team.

Since retiring I have worked as a volunteer for the PIP organization in a local nursery supporting children with special needs, sadly I had to resign because of a back injury. I then joined the Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Network as a member of the Cancer Partnership Group (CPG).

The CPG consists of people who are current or former patients, carers or family members of someone who has been affected by cancer and healthcare workers who provide cancer services. The group was set up to ensure that the views of people using cancer services are being heard. We work together with the shared aim of improving cancer services through shaping them at a local, regional and national level.

Local CPG meetings take place every other month and representatives from each local group attend the network meeting. As a CPG member I am also invited to attend various meetings within the network to represent patients and carers and speak up on their behalf.

I have attended various training courses since joining the CPG and I studied for a year to gain the Macmillan Cancer Support Certificate.

I also have CRB clearances to work as a volunteer at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and to help out in the classroom at Lancaster Lane Primary School in Leyland, where two of my grandchildren attend.

Beverley Garrity

I retired 2 years ago after working for DWP for over 30 years. I now enjoy going to the gym regularly and generally trying to keep fit. I also love travelling with my husband Mike who is also retired. I enjoy the occasional jaunt with the girls each year for some relaxation and fun.

I have been involved with the charity for many years in both a professional and voluntary way. I have a personal interest in helping the visually impaired because I have a sister who has suffered with poor eyesight since childhood and is now severely sight impaired.

I am looking forward to being able to support N-Vision in the future.

Alan Cantor

I am a retired actuary. I was born and married in London and my wife and I have lived in St Annes for over 35 years.

My main outside interests are music and languages and, until recently, tennis.

Mick Steel

I am a Chartered Engineer. My career to date has been in exclusively in the aerospace, with my early days having been in the Royal Air Force, followed by 30 years with BAE Systems, from where I retired in March 2019. I have lived and worked in the USA, Middle East, Germany and Cyprus, as well as travelling extensively in Europe, the Middle and Far East.

I am enthusiastic and have strong team-working skills, which I believe will help me become a useful & valued trustee.

My interests are ski-ing, cycling, walking in the Lake District, camping and motorcycle touring.

Terry Wright

I am retired and have lived in St Annes with my wife Kathy for nine years after moving here from the Midlands. We have a son and two grandchildren with whom we enjoy spending time.

I previously worked at an international aluminium tubing manufacturer for thirty-one years finishing up on the board.

Since living in Lancashire, I have been involved as a trustee with two other charitable organisations and look forward to making a useful contribution to N-Vision in the future.