Committee

Chairman - Mr Pieter Morpurgo

Pieter joined the Friends in the early 1990s, but was only able to take an active part in the group after retirement. He organised the Walks and Talks for five years, and has been chairman for nearly three years. Much of the time is spent in liaising with the Royal Parks and other local organisations to keep the parks as we all like them; raising objections, when required, to building developments which may have an adverse effect on the parks. He is currently trying to persuade Royal Parks to drop their plans for charging for car parking in Bushy.

Email: chairman@fbhp.org.uk

 

Vice Chairman - Ms Annie Murray

Annie looks after Publicity helping to raise the profile of the group and letting more people know about what we do. She also liaises with the other local organisations and prepares material for the press.

Email: annie.murray@fbhp.org.uk

 

Minute Secretary - Ms Iris Hawkes

Iris ensures that we have an accurate record of all our committee meetings including the AGM.

 

Treasurer - Dr Tom Blaney

Tom a past Chairman looks after all things financial and is currently working hard on the Friends application to acquire charitable status.

Email: t.blaney@fbhp.org.uk

 

Royal Parks Agency Representative - Mr Ray Brodie

The Manager of Bushy Park, Ray plays an active role in the Friends advising the group on all matters pertaining to the park. He also works with us on resolving issues raised by the committee and members of the group.

Email: rbrodie@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

 

Membership Secretary - Ms Jean Smith

Jean manages the membership; she enrols members, manages the membership records and distributes cards at the beginning of each year to members who pay their subscription by standing order. She also manages the records for distribution of Newsletters via deliveries and mailings. If you have any queries concerning your membership please do contact

Email: jean.smith@fbhp.org.uk

 

Website - Mark Buckley

Mark runs The Friends' website at www.fbhp.org.uk. Please email him if you have any ideas or comments for the website. Mark also manages the free FBHP email newsletter service which sends frequent updates to over 300 subscribers.

Email: mark.buckley@fbhp.org.uk

 

Newsletter Editor - Ms Chris Hollingshead

Chris has recently taken on this role and is looking forward to hearing from members with their news and views.

 

Newsletter Distribution - Mr Geoffrey Price

A long serving committee member, Geoffrey works with his team to ensure that everyone receives a copy of the newsletter in a timely manner.

 

Poster Distribution - Dr Margaret Stedman

Margaret designs and organises the posters publicising our various events throughout the year.
Margaret is also an accomplished photographer and has been filming much of the restoration work in the park providing a great record of before and after.

 

Walks and Talks Organiser - Ms Jane Cliff

Jane joined the committee in 2008 and organises the very successful various walks and talks throughout the year. She is always keen to hear from members as to whether they would like any specific topics to be included or indeed if they would like to be a speaker or lead a walk.

Email: jane.cliff@fbhp.org.uk

 

Volunteers Coordinator - Mrs Rosemary MacColl

Rosemary is responsible for organising the Volunteers’ rota for staffing the Friends’ Information Point at the new Pheasantry Welcome Centre which is open from 11am to 3pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. We run two shifts, from 11am to 1pm and from 1pm to 3pm and if you think this is something you would be interested in joining, or would like some more information about the Centre or the Information Point, please contact Rosemary.

Email: rosemary.maccoll@fbhp.org.uk

 

Hampton Hill Association Representative - Mr Colin Keates

Colin represents the Hampton Hill Association and works actively to protect the park from any encroachment from new building applications.
He is also an accomplished photographer providing a pictorial record of events in the park.

 

Dr Owen Jones

A long serving committee member and past Chairman Owen is able to add a historical context to everything we do as well as providing much support for all our current projects.

Email: owen.jones@fbhp.org.uk

 

Mr Terry Gough MVO

Terry is Head of Estates and Gardens for the Historic Royal Palaces organisation.

 

What the FBHP Committee does:

1. Issue regular newsletters for members
2. Scrutinise planning applications which may affect the Parklands
3. Organise the manning of the Information Point at the Welcome Centre
4. Inform a wider public than just its members of matters likely to be detrimental to the public use of the Parks; and organise liaison between interested organisations, to oppose them such as the current proposal to introduce car parking charges
5. Attend liaison meetings with other Royal Parks and the Royal Parks Agency
6. Attend police liaison meetings
7. Raise funds for a specific annual appeal
8. Organise activities for members, walks, talks, summer party
9. Maintenance of the informative website
10. Recording events in the park, particularly relevant during the restoration work i.e. The Water Gardens and the Diana Fountain
11. Promote the work of the Friends at public events

We are always delighted to hear from members, please do get in touch, and let us know what we are doing well and what you would like to see in the future.