Trustees
Katherine Beaven
Katherine Beaven is a eurythmy therapist with experience working in private and clinical settings, including the Raphael Medical Centre, Nutley Hall and the Blackthorn Trust. She has been living in Forest Row since 1989 and brought her children up on raw milk and biodynamic produce from the local farms. Working in the health sector she has become increasingly aware of the importance of how we are nourished. Her gratitude for the work of St Anthony’s Trust has inspired her to become a trustee.
Simon Blaxland-de Lange
Simon Blaxland-de Lange works in the social care sector, also as a translator. He has been a member of Hoathly Hill Community, West Hoathly since 1991, where – together with a group of Pericles students – he is responsible for making BD compost for the Community. He became a Trustee in 2000 as a result of his close involvement in the Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch Farms Co-operative, at the time as a member of the Committee and of the Plaw Hatch Management Group.
Maria Finnemore
Maria Finnemore is the Pastoral Lead at Michael Hall School. Having grown up in Forest Row, her memories of an idyllic childhood with many hours spent playing and adventuring in the local area prompted her to return with her own children. Maria has always held a keen interest in community building and appreciating all that nature’s richness has to offer; becoming a trustee felt like an obvious way to contribute to both of these key areas. Protecting, caring and nurturing what is important and special is vital both now and for the future; it is a privilege to do this work.
Ben Kilner
Ben Kilner grew up in Forest Row. After earning a Master’s in Engineering, he worked in both engineering and artificial intelligence sectors while setting up his own property company. Ben also runs a YouTube channel and is on a mission to inspire people to make, restore, and explore — sharing projects that encourage creativity, adventure, and hands-on skills.
Neil Ravenscroft
Dr Neil Ravenscroft has worked in many roles in agricultural education, recently as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University in the UK and, following this, as Deputy Rector of the International Agriculture University, Uzbekistan. He is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London. Neil has a deep connection with both farms, having joined the Management Group at Plaw Hatch in 1999, soon after moving to live in Forest Row, and subsequently joining the Management Group and then Board of Directors at Tablehurst, serving for more than 10 years as Chair of the Tablehurst Board. He was also a member of the Board of Studies at the Biodynamic Agriculture College and has undertaken various initiatives to foster education and training in Biodynamic Agriculture. Being a trustee allows him to maintain this focus while also working closely with the farms on several governance and infrastructure projects.
Jo Reeves
I have lived in Forest Row for almost 30 years and really appreciate the strength of the community that we share. I worked in the Upper School at Michael Hall for over 20 years and was both Upper School and College Chair on several occasions. Prior to coming to Forest Row I practised as a lawyer and find all of the skills developed through my work useful in fulfilling my role as a Trustee. Having retired from teaching I trained as a therapist and run a small practice in Forest Row. I have been a Trustee of St Anthony’s since 2011 and have loved learning from the wisdom of the early Trustees such as Bob Wills and John Thompson. As an educator for much of my life, I see the educational and health values of the biodynamic land farmed within our community as a precious gift to be nurtured, protected and learnt from – a role that St Anthony’s Trust is central in fulfilling.
Brian Swain
Brian Swain has been a member of the Forest Row community since 1983 when he attended Emerson College. Professionally he is an organisational development consultant working mainly in the UK with some assignments across Europe. Currently, his work is with large construction projects, their organisation and performance. His work focus is collaborative working, communication and value creation. He has been a supporter of Plaw Hatch and Tablehurst farms since before the formation of the Co-op, and was a director of the Farm Co-op for 14 years.
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