Lincolnshire Independents, Lincolnshire First
Hilltop Farm, Welbourn, Lincolnshire LN5 0QH 01400 273323
Email: cllrm.overton@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Marianne Overton
Marianne has long been a prominent figure in the political, educational and community life of Lincolnshire. Raised in East and South Africa, educated there and in London, she graduated in Zoology from Kings College, and spent some years teaching before marrying and moving to Lincolnshire.
Since then, she has devoted herself to public service, in local politics, in health
and in education. A long-
Marianne is a Trustee of Relate Lincolnshire, the relationship people, a former regional Chair of the Society of Biology, and is active in many local and community organisations.
Marianne is a Non-
These include persuading the Council to retain local respite homes for the recovering
sick, campaigning for library and heritage services, and taking forward the debate
on the Nocton Dairy scheme, a local controversy which has gained national standing
for its significance in the future of large-
In all her public service, Marianne has never forgotten her roots as a zoologist and teacher. She is passionately engaged with conservation issues, and in her role as Director of Biosearch, she brings together this passion with her commitment to education and young people.
Biosearch Expeditions organises expeditions for people to remote third world regions to do field research in conservation management. Only this last Christmas, she spent her time at a wildlife park in Malawi, leading a group of young people in helping the staff and scientists there with the identification of rare species and recording game populations.
She joined the Board of governors of the University at a very challenging period of their history. She brought her own distinctive style and approach, being never afraid to question, to delve deeper into issues, and to explore all options. Her contribution to securing the present success of the University as a Governor was very special. She stood down from the Board in 2009, having become leader of the official opposition group on the County Council, and has been much missed.
In the light of her real and lasting contribution to the wider education of young people of Lincolnshire and to the development of the University, and in anticipation of what she will continue to do for the people of this region into the future, the University of Lincoln conferred on Marianne Overton the award of Fellowship of the University Honoraria causa. (University of Lincoln)