First-hand experience

3:40pm Thursday 13th November 2008

THE new president of Hereford and District Multiple Sclerosis Society has first-hand experience of the progressive disease which attacks the central nervous system James Nicholas’ mother suffered from MS for 35 years and so he is well aware of the effect it has, both on those with the disease and on their families caring for them.

“I was, therefore, delighted to accept the invitation to be president and look forward to playing my part in helping the society develop the invaluable services it provides across the county,” he said.

He succeeds Lady Henrietta Dunne, president for more than 30 years, and wife of Sir Thomas Dunne, who has just retired as Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

Mr Nicholas, aged 58, and his wife, Rachael, live at Welsh Court, Yatton, near Ross-on-Wye, an arable farm.

He graduated from the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and for many years was involved in fish farming, both in Gloucestershire and at Michael church-on-Arrow, on the Welsh border.

A former High Sheriff of Hereford and Worcester, Mr Nicholas supports several charitable causes in the county, being a vice-president of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, a patron of MIND and has close links with the NSPCC and the Parkinson’s Society.

John Pitt, of Bromyard, chairman of the Hereford and District branch of the MS Society, said: “Our new president brings to the society personal and practical experience of MS and its effect on families, as well as his wider experience of business and community work, which will be of great benefit to the society and those we seek to help.