Introducing the cathedral's fundraising officer

Truro Cathedral warmly welcomes Judith to the team who joined the team this month. Judith has taken on the role of fundraising officer for the cathedral, a position created thanks to recent funding. Here is a little about Judith's background:

Welcome to the cathedral! Why did you want to join the cathedral team?

Who wouldn’t want the chance to work in such a special place and for such a worthwhile cause as Truro Cathedral? I saw the advert purely by accident, but knew straight away I would regret it if I didn’t give it a go!

Tell us a little bit about your role with the cathedral:

I am the new Fundraising Officer. The cathedral needs to raise as much money as it can to sustain and develop all its activities – like worship, the choir, the building and serving our community. I will be doing my best to help the Cathedral grow its income, especially from donations and grants.

Can you tell us about your professional background?

I have done a lot of different jobs, including spells as a primary school teacher and as the equality and diversity officer for a college of further education. I have had three spells in local government. I worked on regeneration projects in Consett, County Durham straight after I left university, and more recently I have worked on improving services and customer experience for Lewes District and Cornwall Councils.

Have you always lived in Cornwall?

I am originally from Whitley Bay, near Newcastle on Tyne, so am one of the long-suffering supporters of Newcastle United FC. I have lived in a variety of places including Houston, Texas, Cambridge, London and Lewes near Brighton, before moving to Cornwall four years ago when my husband got a job at Exeter University at Penryn. He’s a bee and wasp expert!

List some favourite things about living in Cornwall

I can honestly say that the people I have met through work are my favourite thing about Cornwall – they are consistently kind and welcoming, and really care about their jobs. The beauty and wildlife of Cornwall are the other two things – being able to see bats fly over my garden in the twilight is really special.

What are your interests outside of work?

I love gardening, reading, watching sport and being a member of All Saints Church, Falmouth. The other biggie is keeping in touch with family and friends, especially my two grown-up daughters Miranda and Lydia. I also have a slightly irascible dog named Smudge.