John Nicholson has been a parish councillor since May 2013.
“I was born and grew up in Gurnard, educated at Holy Cross, East Cowes, then St John’s College, Southsea, spending my weekends at Gurnard Sailing Club. It was whilst living in Gurnard that I ventured into starting my own construction company, after some years of working for Island Builders and on their DOE gang, doing restoration work. For a number of years, I lived in Moorgreen Road, with my first partner, and expert cook, Dawn McIntyre, and where I further developed my business; then, when I moved to Northwood, my business went to the small industrial estate at Three Gates Road However, after a fire that destroyed everything, I moved it to my home in Pallance Road, before finding a suitable premises at Forest Road, where it is based today, and I now live in Pallance Lane (2 degrees colder and a lot quieter!) with my beautiful Cuban born wife, Oleima, and family.
Those who know me will also know that I am an avid Real Ale fan, having been Chairman for the local CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) branch for many years. CAMRA is, probably, the world’s most successful consumer campaign, and has resulted in the wonderful and diverse range of purely British Real Ales that we enjoy today. Under my Chairmanship, the IW branch have been innovators on a national scale, including being the first branch to form a liaison with the local Police Licensing Office, a relationship which the police have grown to find most useful and productive.
Apart from family life, I also hold an interest in yoga, psychology and eastern mysticism (something that is being recognised as having great significance as our western scientific progress increasingly confirms ancient knowledge and wisdom).
It was at the invitation and instigation of my friend Roger Mazillius that I decided to take on the role of Councillor, having had no political experience before. As owner of my own Company, I am used to dealing with people and solving “seemingly unsolvable” problems. During the election campaign, I really enjoyed meeting and talking to local people while out canvassing.
For me, now, it is about finding a balance between my duties as Councillor and responsibilities at work and maintaining a life at home with the ones I love.