Who's Who
Godfrey Bloom employs no immediate members of his family on his secretarial allowance unlike most other MEPs (Non-UKIP). Also, he returns any committee attendance allowances to Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire charities. Charities wishing to be placed on the selected list should apply to his office.
Emma, 28, was educated at Ripon Grammar School where she successfully attained A-Levels in Maths, Chemistry, Biology and General Studies. After making the decision not to go to University she spent a year at the North of England College where she was taught secretarial skills including Pitman’s Shorthand.
On leaving the college Emma was offered a full-time secretarial position to a Partner in one of the country’s leading firm of solicitors in Leeds. She spent two years there until Godfrey approached her to work for him as his Personal Assistant. Emma has worked for Godfrey since his election in 2004.
Emma is married to Tom, a farmer and joiner who runs his own business. She is of farming stock and is keen on the horses bred on the farm, taking on a large part of the work involved with the bringing on of the young stock who progress through hunting to point-to-pointing in which she competed.
After national service in the RAF, Eric, born in North Lincolnshire, worked as a pianist in London nightclubs and was also a church organist. Then in the early 1960s he studied for the ministry of the Church of England, and worked as a priest in Cambridge and Peterborough. Joining the Missions to Seamen, he worked in Flying Angel clubs in Holland, Belgium, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and on the Thames. In Sri Lanka he learned a good deal about Buddhism through his friendship with leading Buddhist clergy and scholars. With a Moorish Jeweller in the Colombo Mission he was also privileged to share in Moslem family life there. Working with seafarers regardless of their nationality Eric gained a wide knowledge of national customs, and also learned how to drink vodka the Russian way.
He returned to the UK to look after Seafarers Clubs on the Thames, and later decided to take a parish for the sake of the stability of his family life. Working in parishes in East Yorkshire he also became Archbishop's Adviser on Rural Affairs, and later a Canon of York Minster. Escorting tours of Palestine and Israel for many years he learned a good deal about Judaism from the fountain-head. He also belonged to the Territorial Army working with 150 Regiment RCT based in Hull, Doncaster, Leeds, and Tynemouth, and became familiar with the diversity of outlook in such a small area. His military service concluded as Senior Chaplain of the TA.
In the mid 1990s he joined the Orthodox Church, and since that time has travelled extensively in the Balkans and Italy. In addition he has spent much time in Syria and Lebanon, living with friends and colleagues, gaining experience of total immersion in the Arab community. Eric brings his wide experience of communication, cultures, politics, and religions, to play in his capacity as an assistant to Godfrey Bloom.
Eric is a Member of the Institute of Horticulture, (MIHort) and an office holder. He is also a contributing member of the Society of Chemical Industry.
Regional Organiser and political Agent for Godfrey Bloom MEP since 2004.
Jane is married with one child, Rebecca, who is 15 years old.
Jane is a well known and accomplished horsewoman who became involved in politics after the birth of her Daughter. She is a dedicated UKIP supporter along with the well being of the Country her daughter is being brought up in.
I have been a professional journalist after education at a grammar school and college. After training on the Ormskirk Advertiser in West Lancashire - the area where I grew up - I worked for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo for 20 years.
During that time I spent seven years as a district reporter followed by 11 years as court reporter at Liverpool Magistrates and Crown Courts. I also had my own weekly feature column in the Daily Post and wrote TV reviews and theatre reviews.
The year after my husband, the father of my two daughters, died I took the plunge and became a freelance and took over the news agency at Liverpool Crown Court.
Along the way I have done some PR work for various solicitors firms and barristers' chambers and was the (unpaid) press officer for the Red Cross on Merseyside.
My involvement with publishing includes writing Liverpool City Council's official guide for the city, writing for the council's internal magazine, editing web pages for the same local authority, compiling a book of newspaper columns and producing an annual legal wall chart.
I have also been involved for many years in training journalists- several now in very senior positions - and would-be journalists.
I began working for UKIP about three years ago as press officer for Dr John Whittaker, then North West MEP.
Involvement in the community has included Red Cross first aid duties, charity collecting for the Lifeboat Institution and helping produce church magazines.
I have stood in local council elections as a UKIP candidate.
Hobbies include looking after my allotment, spending time with my granddaughter, reading, listening to music, cooking and socialising.