‘We are so lucky to have so much on our doorstep’
Carol Anne Nutkins has deep roots in Tring, and that sense of belonging runs through everything she does. Installed as Mayor of Tring in May, she brings to the role not only years of public service, but also a lifelong connection to the town, its people and its traditions.
Born in Meadow Close, Carol is Tring through and through. Her father, Pete, was born in the town, as were many members of his family, while her mother, Vi, came from Hemel Hempstead and the canal boat community. Her maternal family later settled in Marsworth, where her grandfather worked as a lock keeper. It is a family story woven into the local landscape – one that gives Carol a strong sense of pride in the place she calls home.
That connection continued into adulthood. She married her husband Nigel at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, and the couple bought their first home in Brook Street. They then spent five years in Marsworth, and returned to Tring 15 years later. Today they are a well-known local couple: Nigel is also a town councillor and a former Mayor of Tring. Together they have three children and two elderly cats, Merlin and Tommy.
Carol’s memories of growing up in Tring are full of familiar local landmarks and happy experiences. She attended Goldfield Infants, Bishop Wood Primary and Tring School, and was a Brownie and Girl Guide. She remembers loving sport, particularly hockey, netball and rounders, and says her height helped her become a successful high jumper – ‘I won several competitions but the introduction of the Fosbury Flop [a technique where the jumper goes backwards over the bar] was my downfall!’ As a child she also persuaded her parents to let her learn to ride, spending many happy hours at local riding schools that have sadly since disappeared.
Service and community involvement have long been central to Carol’s life. For a number of years she was an adult member of Tring St John’s Ambulance Brigade, taking part in local first aid duties at events such as Pendley Shakespeare Festival, and sporting fixtures. That willingness to pitch in and support others has remained a constant thread throughout her life and career.
As Mayor, Carol sees her role as one of representation, encouragement and connection. Much of her time will be spent attending local events, supporting the town council and championing the many businesses, societies and community groups that make Tring such a vibrant place to live. She chairs the monthly full council meetings and is also involved in the Climate Action Working Party, the local Patient Participation Group and Tring Together.
One of the issues closest to her heart is dementia awareness. Having been a carer for a family member living with dementia, Carol feels strongly that people should be encouraged to think early about how theycan protect both their mental and physical health. She has already been linking up with local groups that support people living with memory loss and those who care for them. Her hope is that by shining a light on these organisations, more residents will know where to turn for support, advice and practical help. She is also part of ongoing work to make the council dementia friendly, with the wider ambition of helping Tring become a Dementia Friendly Town.
At the same time, Carol is clear-eyed about the challenges facing the area. She believes one of the biggest issues for Tring in the coming year will be the prospect of large-scale housing development and the impact this could have on the environment, the character of the town and its unique identity.
Her professional life reflects the same strong commitment to people and community. Carol has recently retired from the NHS, where she worked as a social prescriber, supporting patients with non-medical needs including housing, finances, social isolation and mental health. ‘It’s a challenging role but I loved every day of it.’
Before that, she was a community project officer, helping communities in Buckinghamshire develop community-led plans, and also spent time in adult social care. Earlier still, she spent nearly 30 years in the Civil Service, having joined at just 17.
Outside her formal roles, Carol remains deeply involved in local life. She is a member of the growing Tidy Tring Team and feels passionately about protecting the local area: ‘It makes me sad and angry to see how some have no respect for our local environment.’ She has also taken part for the past three years, as Nigel’s pillion passenger, in the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, helping raise awareness of men’s mental health and prostate cancer. The Tring ride has so far raised more than £75,000 – a figure she says reflects the generosity and spirit of the local community. (Make a note in your diary for the 2027 ride on 16 May.)
Away from council duties, Carol enjoys family time, baking (‘though my cake decorating skills are somewhat lacking’), and walking with friends. She likes to read too: ‘If I get into a series of books I can’t stop until I’ve finished them all, then go through a period of not reading at all.’
She loves exploring the town’s woodlands, parks, canals and reservoirs, and values the chance to step away from the bustle and reconnect with nature. She occasionally helps with Nigel’s apple juice business by picking apples at a local orchard – ‘It’s incredibly therapeutic standing in amongst apple trees, especially on a nice sunny day, and picking beautifully fragrant ripe apples’ – but struggles to resist the temptation to eat too many straight from the tree. She also confesses to being a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation and enjoys flying kites, even if, by her own admission, she is not especially good at it. The kite festival at Dunstable Downs is a favourite outing.
About the area
What do you like most about living in Tring?
Being able to walk into town and enjoy the variety of independent shops and regular markets. We have parks, woodlands, social/sports groups and various community events, great places to eat and drink, a theatre, and museums. All these make Tring a very special place to live. We are so incredibly lucky to have so much on our doorstep, it’s difficult to choose a favourite spot.