The Parish Council posed a series of questions to the Trust about the proposed development. The Trust has responded and the questions and answers can be downloaded by clicking here.
The Directors have written to Christopher Jessel at the Charities Commission to establish what would happen to the Anson Field and our other assets should the Trust become insolvent or dissolved. A copy of our original letter can be found by clicking here.
In response to requests about the identity of the Directors of the Trust company, the Trust is happy to tell you more about them:
Directors
- Ven Eddie Shirras (Chair)
- Gordon Bendall
- Malcolm Denton
- Neil Rowe
- Married to Jill with 3 children, lived, worked and worshipped in the parish for 27 years.
- Whilst children attended Marcham School I was very involved on PTA and as a foundation governor, then later as a parent governor over 10 years.
- Am currently church warden at All Saints, and have been on the PCC for a long time.
- Part time ambassador for the charity, Send-a-Cow
- Studied at Berkshire College of Agriculture
- Worked as beef, and later dairy manager for W.Cumber and Son since 1980
- Awarded Nuffield Scholarship (Nsch.) in 2004 to study new technology around the world, and report to the UK dairy industry
"Pamela and I came to the village in 2002 to serve as ministers at the church having worked previously in parishes in London and Hampshire. It is over 40 years since we came across the Marcham Manor Press and I first met Gervaise Duffield. I have served as chair of Marcham School Governors and as chair of the Diocesan Council for Ministry among the Deaf. Our family is scattered far and wide, in the army, teaching, local goverment and, like us, in the ordained ministry."
Arrived Marcham 1979. Church Warden 3 years. Bell Ringer 26 years. Organised the construction of the joint use tennis courts at Marcham Primary School
Professional.
1958 Graduated Loughborough College - Physical Education and Drama.
1958-72 Teaching: RAF short Service Commission: Lecturing.
1972.78 Deputy Director - National Sports Centre for Wales .
1978-82 Recreation Manager Oxford City Cll. Maj.projects - Ferry Pool joint use sports hall: Temple Cowley Pools rebuild; Oxford Ice Rink.
1982-91 Chief Recreation Officer. Wokingham Dist.Cll. Maj.projects - Lower early Leisure Centre; Wokingham Swimming Pools; Dinton Pastures Country Park; 2 joint use sports halls.
1991-06 Managing Director Bendcrete Climbing Walls Ltd and Bendcrete Leisure Ltd.
"My wife and my family have lived in Marcham for close on 30 years and we have actively been part of the community. I have served on the Parish Council for 12 years (5 as Chairman). I have been a governor at Larkmead School and I have a keen interest in the well being of the village.
I worked for Ford Motor Company and Fiat New Holland for 33 years and have completed 9 years with Jungheinrich AG. I will be retiring in 2007. I have just been appointed Chairman of the Abingdon Rural Neighbourhood Action Group working with the Thames Valley Police."
Personal
Professional
- Colin Bough
- Rev. John Cooper
Personal: My wife and I have lived in the village for 28 years. Both our children were born here. I have served as a Parish Councillor for seven years (three as Chairman). In addition I also served as a Parent Governor of Marcham School and as Secretary of its PTA.
Professional: MA (Oxon), M.Sc., MCIPS. I worked at Harwell for many years for UKAEA/AEA Technology and am now employed by the Rail Safety and Standards Board as their Commercial Manager.
"The Revd John Cooper is Rector of Wootton and Dry Sandford and Area Dean of Abingdon, a post he has held for 4 years and which brings with it membership of the Board of Management of The Anson Trust. Active in the community in what is a neighbouring parish there is much in common between our two communities which I try to share with my Board Colleagues."
- Doug Colkin
- James Allan
Company Secretary
- Louise Butt
"I moved to Marcham in 1993 with my husband Paul. We had 2 children whilst living in North Street, and then in 1999 moved to Hyde Copse, our current home.
After leaving university I worked in the pensions industry for 15 years, providing technical advice and training support. In 2002 I took redundancy with a view to spending more time with the children and becoming involved with the local community.
Over my years in Marcham I have been a member of the Marcham School PTA (no longer on the committee but still a willing helper!) and until very recently, Clerk to the Marcham School Governing Body.
Both children presently attend Marcham School, and I am currently employed as a part time Teaching Assistant at the school."
Financial Overseer
- Andrew Waller
Treasurer
- Charles Cottell
We have now received a comprehensive reply from Christopher Jessel and a full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here. The letter concludes that, should the Trust become insolvent or dissolved, the assets could not be transferred to the Parish Council, or some other body, for nominal value as a body such as the Council does not have the same charitable purposes and therefore the Commission could not allow it. The letter goes on to recommend that the Trust has a duty by law to explore all of the options, including the sale of the land and the use of an alternative site if this is the only way to carry out the activities set out by the Trust's objectives.
If the Trust were to be dissolved, the Charities Commission could recommend that the assets (including the Anson Field) be sold. In this event it would be sold using the most commercially viable option, which could result in the development of the land.
Finally, the letter states that the Directors should not be persuaded by outside opinions and/or objections as the decision must be based purely on the best interests of the charity.