Meet the Trustees

“Like many other adults, I was introduced to the Kingcombe Centre by my two children who visited as part of their school party. I quickly became enchanted by the work of the Centre, its spectacular location and tranquillity.

The need for teaching people, of all ages, about our natural world has never been greater, so I was delighted to become a Trustee and to eventually take the role as Chair.

Professionally, I am a solicitor in Bridport and have been practicing for over 20 years. I am experienced in running a business and understand the regulations and constraints that apply. Being a solicitor also involves a great deal of careful communication and understanding with people from all backgrounds and requires a practical approach to resolve their requirements and concerns.

These experiences are pertinent to the diverse nature of Kingcombe’s business of offering quality accommodation, courses and food. Kingcombe is a wonderful place attracting inspiring people, I am delighted to be part of its journey”.

“I have a BA in Typography and am an established botanical artist and illustrator. I was the first Hon Secretary of the Society of Botanical Artists and have won awards both for painting and writing.

My association with the Centre has been since 1990 as tutor, course attendee and volunteer. I have been a trustee since 1996 and was instrumental in starting the Friends’ Group. This included producing and editing the early newsletters, and organising successful Friends’ Weekends. I co-founded the Christmas Bazaar and have helped run bazaars and fairs ever since. I have also produced Kingcombe Christmas and Anniversary greetings cards.

Recently I complied and produced the Kingcombe Recipe Book, and organised an anniversary art exhibition. I retire as a trustee at the end of 2009, but hope to continue volunteering as much as my work allows”.

“On leaving University, I spent nearly twenty years in marketing and strategy development in consumer, retail and industrial businesses. I am married to Chris and we have three boys. While they were young we spent five years in Sweden where I set up my own marketing consultancy.

Back in the UK I moved into education spending 18 years as a classroom teacher, a deputy head and a schools’ inspector. For 9 years I have been a school governor. I have always had a strong interest in environmental education and over 11 years introduced parties of children to Kingcombe on residential environmental study courses.

This interest currently extends to the sustainable house and garden that Chris and I are building.

As a trustee I bring experience of strategic decision making, an understanding of the needs of schools and a commitment to the success of the Kingcombe Environmental Study Centre”.

“I was born and raised in Dorset, then spent 25 years in West London. I yearned to return to the county where my ancestors tilled the land for centuries.

My background in mechanical engineering, gained working as an aircraft engineer for British Aerospace and British Airways, gave me skills to develop my own business after qualifying as a Corgi heating engineer. In 2007, my wife Claire and our daughters moved to West Dorset. This area was selected for its virtually unspoilt countryside, superb community atmosphere and opportunity for our daughters to grow up in a rural location with the freedom and experiences it brings. I built my business Wessex Ecoheat on the ethos of lessening environmental impacts while utilising my technical expertise.

In 2008, I became a Trustee of the Kingcombe Centre after completing a sustainable fuel heating solution on the ‘Cow Shed’ accommodation block. I offer practical levels of support about buildings and maintenance supporting the ideals of the environmental Centre ensuring Kingcombe remains a showcase of sustainability”.

“I became interested in wildlife through my passion for mountaineering and visiting wild places, particularly in the Arctic. Initially I was a keen bird watcher but, since retirement in 2003, wanted to become a competent all round naturalist.

Professionally, I trained as a statistician and spent the first part of my career in the Government Statistical Service, finally as the Chief Statistician in the Department of Employment responsible for unemployment figures. I moved into management and became Director of Personnel at the Health and Safety Executive between 1994 and 1998.

Afterwards I became a member of the Board for the Valuation Office Agency, serving for five years as its Director of Business Services. I became a trustee of Kingcombe in 2005 and also hold this role for the Dorset Wildlife Trust”.