Working Together to Improve Norfolk's Wildlife
Our Trustees
Susan Nicholls
I came along to the 2022 Sustead Bioblitz and was blown away by the expertise, and the friendliness of the people I met. Volunteer to do practical outdoor tasks to help improve habitat and increase biodiversity? No brainer, I was in.
I suspect that most trustees and volunteers would struggle to comprehend my lack of knowledge of bird, plant, and insect species. But I have learnt so much from volunteering.
I was lucky to be brought up in a semi-rural area: from memory, I spent most of my childhood outdoors, mostly on the Malvern Hills.
Originally a Veterinary Nurse, in recent years I worked mainly as a decorator, and project managed small renovation projects.
I am very interested in taking what I am learning about habitat creation, and learning how to apply it in my own garden, allotment, and village.
Nigel Smith
I was brought up in Suffolk and have always enjoyed nature and wildlife, walking and the great outdoors in general. My wife and I enjoyed many happy holidays in Norfolk and on retirement we split our time between Norfolk and Surrey. We found that we were spending less and less time in the busy South East and finally took the plunge and moved to Norfolk permanently in 2021 – we have never looked back!
I have been a volunteer with Felbeck Trust since 2019 and am delighted to be given the opportunity to further my involvement. The work that has been done in restoring and improving the local countryside is truly outstanding and I look forward to contributing to the various activities and plans over the coming years.
David Barrass
As a finance professional working in the charity sector most of my working life is spent indoors in front of a computer and therefore when not at work you can find me walking, birdwatching, cycling, gardening or spending time on the allotment. My wife and I took the plunge and moved to North Norfolk 5 years ago having spent many years visiting this special part of the country. I previously spent 16 years in Cambridge and for 4 years was the treasurer of the Magog Trust who manage a chunk of the Magog Down for conservation and recreation purposes. As a trustee, as well as helping with the finances as Treasurer, I want to take a keen interest in the various projects that are being undertaken and when time permits get involved in work parties.
Val Stubbs
After my Modern Languages degree and training as a translator, I have worked for 35 years in international market analysis.
I was lucky enough to have a childhood that involved a lot of freedom in the outdoors; my parents taught me most of what I know about the natural world. Since moving to Norfolk my spare time has become increasingly focused on wildlife and the environment. I am a member of the RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the North East Norfolk Bird Club, and a volunteer for the Felbeck Trust and the NT. Since joining Weybourne Parish Council I have found my voice as a champion for the environment, and hope to step this up as a Trustee of the Felbeck Trust.
I am a positive person who likes getting things done, and to share my enthusiasm with others. I am curious and always willing to question and challenge.
Bev Taylor
​Being outdoors is my addiction. In childhood it involved charging around the wild Welsh hills with my cousins, blissfully short of supervision. Two very urban careers, first making television programmes then as a communications strategist in central government, conspired for 30 years to restrain me. There was some overlap with my passion for nature, filming in remote parts of the world, and collaborating with experts on the right to roam, water quality, and biodiversity. But big skies and wild winds were impossible to resist and I moved to this fabulous county in 2020. I now spend hours every day out and about once again and have been delighted to find so many kindred spirits amongst the Felbeck Trust volunteers and trustees. It’s really exciting to share hard work and knowledge in support of the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of North Norfolk.
Ian Bowland
Ian is the Owner of (an SEO and Digital Marketing Agency) and has over 30 years experience in responsive and digital marketing. He (and his wife Maggie) moved to the beautiful North Norfolk countryside in 2015. Ian has a lifelong passion for nature and conservation (his dad was a founding member of Wharfedale Naturalists- Alan Titchmarsh was later one of it's members) and is keen to help protect regional and local wildlife.
Peter Maingay
Born in Norfolk, I have spent all of my working life in the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language, as a teacher, trainer, trainer of trainers, examiner and inspector. I had extended spells of work in Brunei, Thailand, France and Italy, and have run workshops and seminars in a wide range of other countries. Now semi-retired, I work as an inspector for the British Council's Accreditation Scheme, inspecting providers of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) in the UK.
A life-long mountain walker, I love the outdoors and am happy to do anything I can to help reduce the damage it is currently suffering.
John Rea
My academic background is a geology and geography degree from University College London which was utilised for a number of years in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Land Drainage Department, followed by somehow getting involved in Accountancy installing financial systems as a project manager. I took this into a 25 year career in Natwest Bank becoming a senior programme manager. I also spent 4 years managing an IT department for a disability charity. Now retired, I can get back to my real interest in nature conservation. I am volunteering as a Reserve Guide at NWT Cley Marshes and NT Norfolk Coast (mainly Blakeney area) to support my life-long passion for wildlife and habitat management. From a strong project management background I am still keen on helping to get different community teams and organisations to co-operate for a mutually beneficial end. For a complete change I also volunteer for North Norfolk Railway!
Helen Dawson
My involvement with charities dates back to 2002 when I worked as a Volunteer Deputy Expedition Leader for Raleigh International in Namibia and Borneo. Since then I have worked mostly with charities for disadvantaged, vulnerable or socially isolated people. I was Chair of Norfolk and Norwich Heritage Trust and I currently sit on the Board of Trustees of the National Centre for Writing. I have also worked with public and private sector commercial contracts, writing specifications and bids for funding or delivery of operational services. I have an interest in textile arts and crafts and am a member of a Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. I am excited by the prospect of growing conservation projects that will bring people together to pool their skills for the benefit of individuals, the community and the natural environment.
Trevor Williams
I moved to Norfolk after 33 years with the National Offender Management Service, serving first as officer, then Governor and finally Operations Director. I ran my own successful management consultancy before finally retiring in 2014. I have served as a Trustee of a regional offender charity and I’m currently an office-holder for a local conservation group. I’m a life-long birder, with a broader interest in all things connected to wildlife and conservation. I volunteer as a reserve guide with Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Cley. I’ve been a founding member of two bird clubs and am currently Chair of the North East Norfolk Bird Club, which has over two hundred members, drawn from wide and diverse backgrounds. I lead bird groups for NWT, NENBC and the National Trust and teach bird-watching skills to beginners. In 2015 I was elected to Aylmerton parish council and have specific responsibilities for countryside issues, including the Village Pond Project.
I have a passion for the countryside and created the Felbeck Trust to do something practical to protect and improve our wildlife heritage. I believe in the opportunity which conservation projects provide to bring people and communities together.