Meet Our Trustees

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John Galvin MBE

Hon Secretary

John retired from full-time employment in 2016 following a long career in environmental regulation with the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He was made an MBE for services to the environment in 2012. John has lived in Ingatestone for over 35 years. He has been a chairman of the Junior School Parent Teachers Association and was chairman of the Tennis Club for several years. He became a trustee in 2010 and has been Hon Secretary since then. In addition to his role as Secretary, John leads on health and safety and has been instrumental in setting up the Community Association as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, modernising our constitution and obtaining new premises and gaming licences for the Centre.

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Lilian Hunter

Chair

Lilian's family moved to Ingatestone in 1981 and Lilian soon joined the Drama Group, then the Opera Group, where she was a member for many years . Lilian was Chair of IMOG for ten years and became a Trustee in 2005, as their representative. In 2008 Lilian was “persuaded” to stand as Chair for the Association to help save the ailing Club. A small number of dedicated committee members joined her and they have worked extremely hard to improve the situation – each member contributing their own talents and abilities. Lilian has personally applied for 20 grants (15 of which were successful) and the £110,000 raised contributed towards the improvements you see around you today. Lilian says she has found it very satisfying to see that the efforts of the Trustees and their supporters have been so successful and the Community Centre has become such an important part of village life.

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Paul Wisbey

Trustee

Paul Wisbey  or ‘Wis’ is another long-standing trustee and regular in the bar. He has undertaken so many of the more arduous projects to keep the Centre going, including helping with the refurbishment of the kitchen. When not working, he is a bee-keeper.

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Jenny Fowle FCA

Treasurer

Jenny Fowle has been chair of Young Expressions youth theatre group sine 2015 and is thrilled that the group continues to give so many local children the opportunity to perform live on stage.  She became a trustee of the Community Centre in 2017 and was appointed Honorary Treasurer in 2018.  Jenny is a Chartered Accountant but is now semi-retired which gives her more time to get involved in the local community. As well as her involvement with Young Expressions and the Community Centre she is also a Parent Governor at Chelmsford County High School for Girls.

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Des Felton

Trustee

Des Felton is one of our longest standing trustees and a familiar face in the bar and keeps a keen eye on what’s happening.  He also helps maintain and tidy the grounds.  

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Tom O'Connor
Trustee

Tom has lived in Ingatestone with his wife Moira since 1988 and has been a member of the Community centre for many of those. He was also a Governor of the Junior School where his daughter attended and was actively involved for many years in the local football teams with his two sons.

Tom spent over 30 years in banking and finance, he held senior management roles, including Head of Treasury at a London Bank. Tom’s expertise covers management of liquidity, capital, budget planning and balance-sheet management across a variety of businesses, as well as monitoring the risks associated with credit and operations.

Tom holds a number of board and advisory positions across a variety of sectors and assists start-up companies through his company with their business and financial plans.

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Theresa Ravenscroft
Trustee

I moved to Ingatestone aged 7 and grew up in the village.  Many of my pastimes involved the community centre and it took a special place in my heart.  I performed in various drama shows and musicals with both Dramatic and Musical societies and I also attended aerobics, dancing and various other clubs at the venue.   I have been a Trustee previously, when the centre was in real trouble and needed all hands on deck!  It is such a pleasure to see it blossom and grow now and be a service for other village residents.

Centre Manager

Lee Stevens

Admin Team

Jacky Craythorne

Karen Rayment

Centre Staff

Peter Smith - Licensee

Billy Smith - Chef

Joy Relph - Bar Manager

Bar / Catering

Site Services

Steve Bearpark - Maintenance