HAWKHURST SURGERY

Hawkhurst Team

Caroline Frederix -MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon
Caroline graduated from the University of Ghent (Belgium) in 2005.  After working in 100% small animal practices in Essex, she moved down to Sussex in 2009 to look after the small animal patients at the Hawkhurst branch.  She loves all aspects of her job but has a particular passion for feline medicine, hence, her 3 legged ginger tom Bracken, is spoilt rotten.

Richard Williams - BVetMed, MRCVS - Veterinary Surgeon and Partner.
With deep familial ties in the Rye area, Richard originally came to the Practice even before his qualification which was in 1983.
Richard worked in several practices including a period in specialist equine work all over the world before returning to his roots and joining the Practice in 1989. 

Richard quickly became a partner, and has continued to devote all his efforts to the development of the Practice.

Richard has been at the heart of the development of the Practice for many years.  In 2001 he led the way on the development of Kingsnorth Surgery and since then was integral to the joining of forces with Milbourn Equine and the development of our clinic in Sevington.  Richard continues to enjoy most of all contact with his clients and patients alike; and although surgery will always be his “forte” he also equally enjoys equine work.
Richard lives locally with his wife and four children.  In his spare time he enjoys swimming and sailing along with lifelong interests in architecture and photography.

Rita Dingwall - MCMI, CVPM - Group Practice Manager
Rita is a former president and regional organiser of the Veterinary Practice Management Association (VPMA), and was the VBJ practice manager of the year in 2008.  Rita is also a member of the RCVS Communications board and the BVA In Practice Editorial board.  Hobbies include reading, cycling, horse riding, skiing and she has a strong interest in technology.  Rita has in the past, produced show horses and competed in endurance riding events and crewed for the British teams abroad. She is also currently Chief Horse Steward for the Heathfield Agricultural Show.

Lesley Hallett - Branch Manager
Lesley started with Cinque Ports at the Rye branch in 2004, helping out at Lydd from time to time.   She then moved to the Hawkhurst branch in 2005 as Receptionist and became Branch Manager in 2009.  Her interests include portrait painting, yoga and walking.

Mel Hart -VN - Head Nurse
Mel qualified as a VN in 1996 and has been with Cinque Ports Veterinary Associates since  2005, spending seven months assisting Gary Clayton-Jones at our Tenterden branch before joining us at Hawkhurst.   She has recently qualified as an SQP and has completed a Certificate for Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species and when not working she enjoys running, cycling and walking Oskar, her Alaskan Malamute.

Fiona Andrews – VN - Nurse
Fiona began nursing in 2002, qualifying as a VN in 2004.   She has been at Hawkhurst since 2006 and runs the Youth Club for our junior patients. Fiona gained her Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor qualification in 2009 enabling her to advise on a wide range of beneficial healthcare issues
She has two rescue cats and in her spare time enjoys horse riding, using her local gym and going to the cinema.

Tara Evans - RVN -  Head Veterinary Nurse
Tara joined Cinque Ports in 2003 where she completed her veterinary nurse training and qualified in 2006.  She became head nurse in 2008 and went on to complete her assessor training to aid the future training of student veterinary nurses within practice.  She has a keen interest in nutrition, nurse clinics and caring for needy neonates. Tara gained her Royal Canin Pet Health Counsellor qualification in 2010 enabling her to advise on a wide range of beneficial healthcare issues. Her companions at home include three cats and a bearded dragon.
Tara is usually based at our Rye branch as their Head Veterinary Nurse but will be working here part time to help provide maternity leave cover.

Michelle Arthur - VN - Nurse
Michelle began nursing in 1999 and became qualified in 2002, she also has her AI assessor qualification.  She joined the Tenterden team in 2008 working for an orthopedic specialist and later transferred to the Hawkhurst branch after having a baby.  In her spare time she enjoys running when not chasing her toddler around!

Tina Evans – Receptionist
Tina has work in veterinary practice since 2007 and joined our Hawkhurst branch in 2010.  Her interest is in small animals and exotics, particularly rabbits.   Her spare time is taken up with trying to find new homes for some of her rescue bunnies.

Gill Hockney – Receptionist
Gill joined our Hawkhurst branch in 2009.  She and her daughter enjoy looking after their rescue dog Fred, a bearded collie x terrier, her main interest is making soft furnishings and she also enjoys Gardening.

Pippa Parr – Receptionist
Pippa has been with our Hawkhurst branch since 1992. She is kept busy running a small farm and stables and ferrying her daughter and son to and from Pony Club events.

Rebecca Friend
Personal Assistant and Equine Receptionist
Rebecca joined us in January 2011 as Personal Assistant to our Group Practice Manager, Rita Dingwall as well as working as an Equine receptionist.   She is a qualified Riding Instructor and spends her spare time riding and competing, with a passion for eventing.  She also enjoys skiing, cooking, gardening and walking her two dogs, Sue and Sweep.