Meet the Trustees
Chairperson – Suzanne Lowe
Sue has been Chair since March 2020, following several years as a Friend and Trustee. She moved to Essex from Merseyside over 25 years ago and had enjoyed many visits to Cressing Temple prior to becoming involved in the work of the Friends. Sue is committed to continuing to grow the Friends group and the role we play in both protecting and sharing the heritage of this fantastic gem of a place.
Treasurer: Andy Bright
Treasurer – Andy Bright
Andy is a qualified accountant with 35 years experience working in the Finance and IT sectors. He has been a trustee since March 2019.
Membership secretary – Jane Palmer
After many years teaching, Jane retrained in horticulture with a degree from Writtle University College. She worked at Cressing Temple Gardens with Rebecca for a few years and is currently a Regional Manager for the WFGA, monitoring horticultural trainees throughout Essex, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire. Aside from that, she is a trustee for Essex Gardens Trust, volunteer at the Gardens of Easton Lodge and looks after her own large garden.
Trustee – David Andrews
David Andrews is an historic buildings archaeologist who worked for many years as a field archaeologist, conservation officer and historic buildings manager for Essex County Council. One of his responsibilities was ensuring the historic buildings at Cressing were well maintained, and delivering the Wheat Barn exhibition. In 2013, he was instrumental in establishing the Friends with support from the Essex Gardens Trust.
(Photograph – David at Paycocks House, Coggeshall)
Trustee – Lesley Killin (Plant sales co-ordinator)
Lesley has been a Trustee since March 2019 although involved with the Cressing site for much longer. She is now retired after having worked as a Secretary/PA in Museum Education for over 20 years and latterly in Special Educational Needs in a local secondary school. She has lived in the District all her life and has always been very involved in community issues, from being a School Governor for many years – both Primary and Secondary – to sitting on the committee of groups such as the local Heritage Trust and the John Ray Trust. These days she keeps herself busy with reading, gardening, crafting, helping in her local infants school, being a member of the U3A and, of course, spending time at Cressing where she organises the rota for plant sales during special events.
Trustee – Monika Curry
Monika Curry has been a trustee since 2019. She was born in Central Europe and has been resident in the UK for well over twenty years. Most of this time has been spent helping to build a successful specialised merchant business. Professional training is as a Medical Herbalist and Historian. She is passionate about biodynamics, nature restoration, bees, natural health and good food -helping to make affordable, responsibly grown, healthy food available to many more people. She is committed to work with the Board of the Friends of Cressing Temple to help secure it for the future and continue the community benefit of this wonderful place.
Volunteering
If you would like more information about volunteering please fill in the form below.
Or email: rebecca.ashbey@essex.gov.uk or call: 07747 670058
To join the Friends click the link below: