Dilys Gartside

Having opted out of grammar school, I learned that one kind person’s actions can change a life and we have a duty to serve each other.  Trained and working by 17 as a legal secretary, I qualified and practised as a solicitor for three decades and married later to raise two children while running my own practice.  I experienced and recovered from long term illness which had a profound effect on my attitude to others’ problems.

In my 50s, I re-trained as a DfT Road Cycling Instructor to pursue my passion of cycling and enable others to travel more sustainably. Trading as Cyclewise, I deliver all ages Bikeability across Dorset to Southampton.

Always competitive, I was a Hampshire over50 10k road race champion and aged 61 ticked off another ‘to do’ by cycling 1,000miles from the Orkneys to Southampton with a friend, camping wild down the length of our beautiful country.

On moving with husband Jeremy from 30yrs of city life to Dorset in Dec13, I have served the parish community for four years in which role as councillor for highways and rights of way, I obtained European funding to bring about the Little Lane Link project providing a direct and safer route for walkers and cyclists to the North Dorset Trailway. I am currently working with Highways to provide a safer crossing of A357 as phase2 of that Project.

As a member of the Parochial Church Council, I trust God will continue to guide my actions  words and thoughts.