Meet The Team

Tom Gliddon BVSc CertEP MRCVS.

I graduated from the University of Bristol in 1992 and joined White Lodge in 1996, after stints in Shropshire, North Wales and North Devon. I then became a partner here in 1999 and have since passed the RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice, which has progressed onto being an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Equine Practice. I have been on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons panel of examiners for the postgraduate certificate in Equine Practice and have recently been appointed to the prestigious role of RVS for the farriers registration council disciplinary committee.

My major interests are general equine practice, particularly stud work and lameness investigation, as well as farm animal practice. Outside of work, my interests include horse riding, cricket including Somerset over 50s!, rugby and enjoying family life with my wife Kate and our three children.. The family doesn't stop there though, we also have 3 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats, 50 ewes & 6 chickens.

Paul Gannon BVetMed MRCVS.

I graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2003, and after 18 months working in West Wales I returned home to Somerset and have been at White Lodge ever since! I became a partner in 2014, alongside Philip, Tom and Simon. I embrace all aspects of traditional general practice, but would have to say my main interests lay within small animal surgery and preventative medicine, as well as obstetrics on the farm side. I have become particularly proficient at TB testing, and widely studied all aspects on intra-handling system behaviour of the bovine!  

Old machinery has become a real interest to me in recent years, the long spoken of tractor restoration has taken periodic breaks in favour of an emergency lawnmower rescue! More conventionally, I am a keen cyclist on and off the road, so watch out for me on the strava leader board!

Dr Elsa Lewis BVSc MRCVS

Elsa qualified from Liverpool University in 2016, and worked in Herefordshire for two years before moving down to Minehead. Having spent a lot of time at White Lodge as a student I was really excited to be given the opportunity to join the practice! 

Out of work she keeps herself busy with three dogs (two small lurchers and a crazy spaniel), two horses (one rideable and one drivable), and a cat. She's a keen triathlete, and luckily the lurchers particularly enjoy long distance runs across Exmoor, although neither are quite so keen on the sea swimming!

Charlotte Wood BVSc MRCVS

I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2022 and after spending time over the previous few years at White Lodge as a student, I was very excited to return as a qualified vet to begin my career. I enjoy seeing a mix of large and companion animals, with particular interests in small animal surgery, equine stud work and general farm practice.

Animals have always been a big part of my life and we currently have four horses and two crazy Dalmatians to keep entertained. If I’m not riding I also keep active wild swimming, running or doing yoga and most recently, surfing.

Hannah May Martin BVM BVS MRCVS

Hannah graduated from the university of Nottingham in 2019.

After initially working in Oxfordshire in a large animal practice she joined White Lodge in March 2021 where she was a popular member of the large animal team.

In August 2022 Hannah fled the country to seek new experiences in Australia where she worked in a busy Racehorse practice and even had the opportunity to do some Companion animal work.

Hannah has now returned to White Lodge and looking forward to catching up with all the clients and their animals.

Ashleigh Bevis BSc (Hons) BVMSci MRCVS

Ashleigh is the newest member of the large animal team having joined the practice in 2023.

Prior to graduating from the University of Surrey, she spent a number of years dairy farming and nursing at a busy equine referral hospital in Hampshire. She enjoys all aspects of general farm and equine practice, and is looking forward to eventually getting to know all of our clients.

Outside of work you will find her looking after her animals on the farm at home, getting stuck into a building project, or enjoying the local countryside and all the pubs along the way!

Catharine Binding, Practice Manager.

I first started work at White Lodge in 1984. The practice was attached to George Carters home at Whitegate Road. We had an office upstairs and a small waiting room and operating theatre downstairs, the dispensary was in the cupboard under the stairs! We used a garage for lambing and dehorning, and across the yard there were a couple of stables which on occasion were used for cow caesareans.

My role involved assisting the vet with x-raying, operations, making lunches, sending invoices, TB testing, and more! During this time I trained in laboratory techniques and radiology. I am now solely based at Ellicombe, where I manage the financial aspects of all three practices. 

When I do manage to sneak away, in my spare time I enjoy photography. I feel very lucky to live within a National park where I enjoy birdwatching

Claire Godfrey RVN, R-SQP. Farm and Equine Manager.

I have worked at White Lodge since 1994. Originally, I was in a nursing role and gained my Veterinary Nursing qualification in 2000. My nursing work was mainly involved on the equine side of the practice. In 2015 I moved across to the Ellicombe Clinic to be the manager on the Farm & Equine side. It's certainly a challenging and busy role trying to keep the vet’s day running as smoothly as possible and keeping the clients happy. This is made so much easier as I have a great team to assist me.

In my spare time I enjoy socialising with friend and watching Horse Racing and Rugby. You really can’t beat a good day out at a local Point to Point or at Twickenham.

Lucy Kidner VCA, J-SQP. Equine and Farm Administration.

I have worked at White Lodge since January 2010, before joining the team I worked at the local racing yard. I help out in all manner of ways in the clinic, but I am particularly keen on the equine work.

I now work full time at the new Equine and Farm Clinic in Ellicombe, where I assist with the daily running of the practice and Feed Store as well as my usual Nursing Assistant duties for our Equine and Farm patients. I have taken a hands-on role in the Feed Store, where I take care of stock, ensuring we provide a variety of feed and bedding for all our clients, from dogs, to horses and even alpacas. I have also recently gained my Fork Life Drivers Licence.

In my spare time I am usually found stomping over Exmoor with my 2 dogs and horse, Ryan.

Marie McLean-Foreman. Receptionist and Administration.

I joined White Lodge in April 2010, my main roles include managing the equine accounts, and working on reception at our Farm & Equine Clinic. Before White Lodge, I worked as a farm secretary, also looking after point-to-point horses, and then spent many years working within the medical profession before returning to animals.

My spare time is mainly spent out and about in our fantastic countryside either walking my terrier, a real live wire who is full of fun, or on my recently acquired ex-racehorse with whom I hope to be doing some low level competing once again.

Laura Dobson RVN. Head Equine Nurse

I first joined White Lodge in 2009, and have since become a qualified Vet Nurse. I now spend most of my time seeing to our equine and farm patients at the Ellicombe Clinic.

I am always busy outside of work looking after my menagerie which includes 2 horses, 3 dogs and a cat. I am often found out on one of my horses and am an avid follower of the local hunts. I am usually deeply involved in organising hunt social events.

Mr Geoff Lane BVetMed DESTS FRCVS. Visiting Surgeon

Geoff is a regular visiting surgeon at White Lodge. He is a world-renowned leader in the field of head and neck surgery and in particular upper respiratory tract surgery.

Having previously been a senior clinician at Bristol Veterinary School for many years he currently works with a number of clinics in the UK and further afield. He is widely published in the field and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Liz Welsh, Receptionist

I joined the White Lodge team in January 2023 as a receptionist. Before joining White Lodge I worked with racehorses for thirty years incorporating roles as head girl and Equine Massage Therapist.

Outside of work my passions are golf and martial arts. My job here is very much like my golf swing, different every day, but so much fun