Meet our dedicated team

Andrew Melling B.V.Sc MRCVS

Andrew qualified from Liverpool in 1981. He then worked in mixed practice in Kirkham for 3 years, before moving to Macclesfield to work in a mixed practice for a further 5 years. Andrew then came home to Bolton and ran a small animal branch for 3 years before deciding to set up his own large animal practice.

Andrew is a keen fisherman and in his spare time can be found in the Scottish Highlands.

Andrew has a particular interest in surgery, and carries out the majority of our operations, in between vettings and riding schools inspections.

Stuart Bradburn BVetMed MRCVS

Stuart started working for Andrew the day after he graduated in July 2005 from the RVC in London. He now tries to concentrate predominantly on the farm side of the practice, being keen on all aspects of cattle and sheep work. His main interests include herd/flock health, cattle fertility, lameness and Johnes disease.

Stuart spends his free time working on his family's dairy farm. He is also a keen fan of Wigan Rugby League.

Vikki Fowler BVetMed MRCVS

Vikki began working for Andrew in August 2010 after finishing university at the RVC in London. Vikki is also a qualified BHSAI instructor and paid her way through university by working at one of London's largest riding schools. Vikki's family own a riding school in Darwen and she grew up riding and caring for the horses there, owning her own pony from the age of 10. As a teenager, she enjoyed show jumping but now competes showing natives and in dressage.

Vikki owns 4 horses, 2 Shires Jack and Hope, a Welsh section D called Boo and a KWPN warmblood called Icarus. She can usually be seen with her dog Marble travelling in the car on her rounds.

Vikki takes a special interest in equine dentistry and diagnostic imaging, including radiography, ultrasonography and endoscopy.

Mhairi Grieve BVM&S MRCVS

Mhairi graduated from RDSVS in Edinburgh in 2016 and started working for Andrew in August 2016.

She enjoys all large animal work, and has a particular interest in equine medicine. Mhairi grew up around horses and has competed from pony club up to 1* eventing with her coloured Irish sports horse Pod.

In her spare time she is a keen rugby player and is a currently playing for Eccles ladies & Scotland women.

Layna Campbell BVM&S MRCVS

Layna graduated from RDSVS in Edinburgh in 2015. She worked in a mixed practice in Preston for 1 year and now is a full time large animal vet for Andrew. Layna enjoys all aspects of large animal work in particular farm animal medicine, but has a love for ponies from her university days with the Exmoor Pony Society.

During her spare time she enjoys baking, cycling and is a regular member of her local church.

Dorothy Longworth

Dorothy started working for Andrew in June 2000. In her free time Dorothy enjoys walking her dog Evie, reading, drinking wine and spending time with her grandchildren Harriet and Lewis.

She also travels to Belgium whenever she gets chance to visit family and friends, including her grand-daughter Lisa. Dorothy loves music, particularly jazz and classical.

Jill Skermer

Jill started working for Andrew in November 2002. Jill has 2 children, Harriet and Lewis who take up a large amount of her time. But when she does get a spare minute, Jill enjoys walking her dog Evie, playing with her cat Poppy and tending to her fish.

Elaine Macdonald

Elaine began working for Andrew in October 2008. Outside of work she enjoys going to the gym for various classes, swimming and travelling abroad, especially to Greece. She also regularly attends Zoo Keeper for a day courses, learning how to care for the more exotic species

Claire McDermott

Claire started working for Andrew in 2014. She has previously been in the RAF. Claire lives with her husband Lee and has a young son Teddy along with 2 cats.

Claire loves horse power of a different kind...motorbikes! She has a brilliant sense of humour and keeps us all in stitches on a daily basis! As you can see, she is also rather camera shy.