Philip Lee - You've Been COGGED!

"You've been Cogged!" is a peek into someone else's world, hearing their stories, appreciating the work they do and their life too. Alorah, our You've Been Cogged! writer, met with Philip Lee, magistrate, Rotarian, and Secretary to the Farmers Union. Here's what Philip had to say.

Describe yourself in three words:

Caring, considerate, thoughtful.

Are you a member of any groups?

Yes, over the years I've belonged to many groups. At the moment, I’m a member of The Cheadle Rotary Club, which I have been since I came to Cheadle, and Draycott Sports Centre. I’m the last surviving member of the group that changed it from a wooden shed to a multi-million-pound sports centre. It’s been a great pleasure in my life for the last 40 years.

What do you do for work?

I’ve been retired for 25 years, but I was Secretary to the National Farmers Union originally. I would sort out the legal matters - the farmers would ring with an issue they couldn’t sort out, and I would try to resolve their problems. Hence my passion for collecting evidence properly. It’s essential. I was dealing with people’s lives, their businesses.

How do you start your day?

I set off on a 5 km walk around the town. I meet the same people most days. I enjoy the sound of people enjoying themselves.

Name 3 things you can’t live without.

It’d be my sports bag and the two rackets for the sports I play, because without these I’d feel I’d had my arms cut off!

What’s your proudest moment?

I dabbled in politics, it wasn’t for me, but I feel public service is important. So I asked to be a Magistrate. Much to my surprise, I was accepted. The first thing that is required is to attend Crown Court and swear allegiance to the Sovereign and their heirs and successors (so you only have to do it once). This was my proudest moment. Every member of parliament takes the same oath too. I always said the human bottom is shaped exactly so that you can sit on the fence, and this is where a Magistrate or a Judge belongs. Neither with the police nor the defendant.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt from a difficult time?

I think it’s to ‘pick your fights’. Sometimes you’ve got a good case, and sometimes you just haven’t. Maybe the evidence isn’t there or for various other reasons.

What’s your biggest fear?

Alzheimer’s. I’m not bothered about dying; I’ll take that as it comes.

If you could give your younger self a piece of advice what would it be?

It’d be the same advice I gave to my two sons:-.

’First to thine own self be true’

What’s your biggest weakness?

I think I care too much about people’s predicament - caring too much diverts from the job I had to do. Caring gets in the way of objectivity.

What keeps you motivated when things get tough?

I suppose it’s self-belief. You’ve got to have a belief that what you’re doing is right. Certainly in the legal sense of being a Magistrate. When my sons were little, they’d want an apple, one would cut it in half, and the other would choose. That’s being objective - because the one cutting it would be most careful!

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What do you love about life in Cheadle?

The people who do things to make Cheadle a great place to live.

What would you like to see in Cheadle?

To see things how they were, but we’ll not see that again. When I came to Cheadle in ‘67, there was a wonderful community spirit of sharing. We made things happen. I don’t think people are less community-spirited, I think they’re less able to be like that.

What’s disappeared that you would bring back immediately if you were Mayor / King.

A 30-minute free parking. To quickly pop to a shop in town if you need something.

About Home Link: I always thought it was a great way of helping the community. It was such a great self-help group. We’re about to find out what it’s like without it.

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One thing you always wanted to try?

A parachute jump.

Who did you have a secret crush on in your youth?

Doris Day.

Which song can you listen to on repeat and not tire of hearing?

You are the sunshine of my life by Stevie Wonder.

If you were in a TV show/film which role would you most like to play?

Steed in the Avengers.

Books/films/Music - What are your favourites:

Book & film: Treasure Island.

Music: the works of Edward Elgar.

What’s for dinner?

Steak, onions, and chips.

If you were having a dinner party and could invite up to 5 guests, anyone past or present, real or fiction who would they be?

Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Moses, Isaac Newton.

What’s your greatest motto to live by:

Phone calls ain’t worth the paper they’re not written on.

Philip Lee - You've Been COGGED! - created 9th June 2026