Parish Councillors
Matt Craker
Matt was co-opted onto Musbury Parish Council at the October 2019 meeting. He was born in the fishing village of Beer and spent his first 23 years there before moving to Colyford and subsequently Colyton prior to the move to Musbury in 2018. He is married to Michelle and they have two boys aged 27 and 15. Matt runs an electrical contracting business and 2019 sees his 30th anniversary as an electrical engineer.
Apart from being a keen amateur builder, Matt enjoys singing in his spare time as part of a Shanty group and is also a keen cyclist in the fair weather as part of a team of four!
Matt was overwhelmed with the welcome he and his family received moving into Musbury; it was quickly apparent that this would be a happy place to put down our roots. He hopes to be a positive addition to the parish and is looking forward to working with the community. (2019).
Special Responsibility: Musbury Community Playing Field.
Contact: 07725 895099.
Frances Belcher
Frances was born and spent her childhood in the hills of West Yorkshire, and subsequently lived in London and Oxfordshire following a career researching the causes and therapeutics for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Her last role was in South Oxfordshire, where she led a team growing immune cells from stem cells and programming them to treat cancers.
Frances has two children, Helena and Felix and two step daughters. The family have always enjoyed holidays in Dorset and Devon, and always had a dream of moving to live by the sea. Frances and Colin retired to Musbury in August 2023 and received a very warm and friendly welcome. She is keen to be more involved in village life and make a positive contribution through her role on the Parish Council.
Frances loves flower arranging, gardening, running, reading and walking our dog Bertie. She is passionate about the natural environment and understanding the impact we all have on nature and the climate, and how to make changes to our lifestyle to protect our children’s future. (2024)
Special Responsibility: Musbury Allotments, Finance
Andrew Moulding
Born in Axminster, Andrew was educated locally and directed his own company in Axminster for 24 years. He is married to Mary and retired six years ago from his employment for 16 years with Somerset County Cricket Club.
Andrew has been Chairman of East Devon District Council, where he was a District Councillor for 36 years & is a former Chairman of Devon County Council.
Andrew served as a Governor at Axe Valley Community College for over 20 years and led the development of Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre which offers sporting and social opportunities for people of all ages.
Andrew is a trustee of Axminster Heritage and Patron of ARC Bereavement Service.
Andrew and Mary have now lived in Musbury for 30 years. Andrew loves life in the village and now that he has retired as a District and County Councillor, he is delighted that he has been co-opted onto Musbury Parish Council. (2024).
Special Responsibility: Planning and Development
Shane Smitham
Shane originated from the seaside village of Praa Sands in Cornwall. He moved to Axmouth at the age of 16 to begin his career in gamekeeping, later joining the Powderham Castle Estate two years afterwards, where he met his now wife, Lyndsay. In 2000, Shane returned to Axmouth, and together they have two children, Rebecca and Lilley. The family purchased a home in Musbury in 2014 and moved into the village in 2017 following Shane’s retirement from gamekeeping after 27 years of service.
Shane is currently a property groundsman and small‑scale gardener, working across Musbury and neighbouring villages. He is pleased to be part of such a warm and welcoming community. In his spare time, Shane enjoys walking the family’s springer spaniel, countryside pursuits, growing plants, and supporting his wife in fundraising efforts for the Church Bell Tower Restoration Fund.
Special Responsibility: P3 Footpaths
Janet Albano
Janet moved to Musbury in 1944 with her family and attended Musbury Primary School, Axe Valley Community College (as it is now known), and Exeter Technical College.
In the early 1960s she relocated to London to study the use of radioisotopes in medicine at the newly built Institute of Nuclear Medicine at the Middlesex Hospital. Her academic work in London and Cambridge led to the award of her doctorate and the beginning of a long and distinguished research career. This included posts at the Medical Schools of Bristol and Southampton Universities, during which she published numerous scientific papers in learned journals, including Nature.
Although her career took her across the country, Janet always maintained a base in Musbury and returned permanently in 2003, joining the Parish Council later that year. Now “retired”, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen rather than the laboratory.
Janet rejoined the Parish Council in 2025.