Our staff: Support staff

Student veterinary nurses

Aimee Salter
Sally Wilson

Nursing assistants

Alison Dewing (Kennels)
Lyndsey Kemp (Kennels)
Stephanie Cooke (Kennels)
Kristina Crewe (Instrument preparation & sterilisation)

These staff members work behind the scenes caring for the in-patients and helping the nurses with general cleaning duties. In addition to this they have the responsibility for driving the practice ambulance around the branch surgeries on a daily basis.

Kristina Crewe has a vital role helping behind the scenes with instrument preparation and maintenance, and knows her way around the total hip replacement kit as well as the surgeons!

Eve Melsom - Head Receptionist (Fakenham)

Eve has worked at the practice since 1999, originally starting at Gillham House before the move to the present location. She is the Head receptionist to a team of 4 at the Fakenham surgery and has the added responsibilty for stock control. She has an adorable black Labrador called Bruce and 3 cats, Pimms, Paris and Peach, they are her “best buddies” along with her 2 daughters, her eldest being a trainee veterinary nurse and youngest who makes her own greetings cards.

Penny Ripton - Receptionist (Fakenham)

Penny joined The Grove in the latter part of 2006 and it was here she met her partner Mark, a Veterinary Surgeon. They live together in an old cottage on the idyllic North Norfolk coast with an array of four legged friends! The family includes 5 “stunningly fabulous” dogs and 3 “equally fabulous” cats. Penny is currently on maternity leave following the birth of their first child.

Macala Grimmer - Receptionist (Fakenham)

Macala joined the Grove in January 2007. She shares her home with her 2 children, 2 cats and her 2 dogs Harvey and Lottie.

Gemma Lawson - Receptionist (Fakenham)

I started working at The Grove as a receptionist on 20th July 2009. My hobbies are drawing, reading, pets and socialising with friends. I have 4 cats (Matilda, Wilf, Sienna & Monkey) and 4 gerbils (Bee, Haley, Tyson & Delilah). I live with my boyfriend of nearly 2 years, Liam, who is in the RAF.

Rebecca Davies - Receptionist (Fakenham)

I started working at The Grove in January 2010, so am relatively new here. My hobbies are painting wildlife and pets, both digitally and traditionally, horse riding and looking after my 4 ferrets, Panda, Otto, Skibba and Shabba. I live my partner Rory who I have been with for 7 years and counting.

Susie Harrison - Senior Receptionist (Swaffham)

Susie re-joined the Grove in May 2008. She lives at home with her husband Chris, 2 grown up children and 1 cat.

Melanie Welbourne - Receptionist (Swaffham)

Melanie has worked at the practice since 2005, originally based at the Dereham branch, she now works in the busy Swaffham practice. She has 3 cats and a jack Russell.

Rebecca Billman - Receptionist (Swaffham)

Rebecca joined the Grove in February 2005. She holds an HNC in Animal Science & Welfare and is considering pursuing a career in Veterinary Nursing. She has 2 lovely daughters, 2 dogs and 4 cats.

Tracey Adcock - Receptionist (Swaffham)

Tracey has worked at The Grove since February 2007, she has 2 children, but no pets. She enjoys comedy, cinema and reading in her free time.

Suzanne Frost - Receptionist (Dereham)

Sue has 2 adult daughters and 1 grandson, she lives in Toftwood with her husband Terry and has worked at the Grove practice in Dereham since July 2007. She currently has no pets but a puppy is likely to be the next addition to the family.

Claire Kearns - Receptionist (Dereham)

Claire has worked at the Grove since 2004, she lives in Dereham with her husband and 2 children, she also has 2 rabbits and some fish.

Tracey Francis - Practice Manager

Tracey has a “long-standing” record with the practice, she has worked for The Grove for over 20 years. She lives in Fakenham with her husband Jamie and her two boys Oliver & Edward. Her responsibilities in the practice are the daily running of the business and dealing with Health & Safety and HR issues. Tracey also has one dog and three cats and a great love of Springer Spaniels.

Joanne Francis - Administrative Assistant/Insurance Administrator

Joanne joined the Grove in February 2008 as a receptionist, but has recently moved into the administration side of the practice. She is responsible for the daily banking and general office admin, including helping with the pet insurance claims. She lives with her fiancée Daniel and has 3 cats Shadow, Morag & Ebony, and a hamster called Patch.

Laura Johnson - Orthopaedic Referral Secretary

Laura joined the practice in December 2005, she is responsible for administering the busy orthopaedic referral practice and typing the many letters generated everyday by the surgeons Simon Gilbert, Gordon Brown, James Tattersall and the Ophthalmologist Lorraine Fleming. This is done to update the referring vets from all over East Anglia on cases that have been sent for specialized treatment. She is married to Chris and has a cat called Ella and is expecting her first child in the summer.

Click on the links below to find out more about our staff

Veterinary surgeons
Veterinary nurses
Support staff