You can find minutes of our AGM meetings here.
Please click on the link to see the document you want to view:
Minutes of AGM of Ditchling Beacon and Commons held on 15 May 2021 at 2:30 pm at Beardsfield Nursery, Common Lane, Ditchling BN6 8TN
Charity Report for 2020 - 2021
Charity report for year 2020 -2021 performance Ditchling Beacon and Commons version 2.pdf
The responsibility of managing the Commons is now vested with the Ditchling Beacon and Commons Company and through its Trustees delivering the objective of promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
Meet the Trustees
Peter Eastwood Chairman
Peter is a plantsman and horticulturalist who has lived adjoining the Common for
over 50 years having set up his business Peter Eastwood Plants on the south side of the Common.
He has been active in numerous village matters such as the Youth Club and the Horticultural Society for many years but his involvement with the Common has been a long and dedicated one. Apart from his plant knowledge he brings years of knowledge of the Common and has been Chairman for many years.
David Barclay Evans Secretary
David Barclay Evans is a Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent (now retired from professional practice).
A career of 40 years in Land Management working in both the public and charitable sectors. This has included a wide range of differing properties from farms, nature reserves and country parks as well as a number of local National Trust properties including Sheffield Park. Former Governor at Plumpton College.
Ed Dickson Trustee & Treasurer
Ed is an investment analyst with a background in mathematics. Edward has spent a career in the investment business but has lived in Ditchling for over 20 years. He brings business and management skills to the Trust as well as a commitment to maintaining good management of the Common.
Nicky Banfield Trustee
With a professional background in Project Management, Nicky has been actively involved in supporting the local community since moving to the area 30 years ago.
Nicky has strong horticultural knowledge and a passion for the area with a keenness to ensure it remains unspoilt and accessible as demands on open space continue to increase.
Charlie Cain Trustee
Charlie is a plantsman and Countryside Ranger with a long career at the National Trust based on the South Downs with a wide experience of practical as well as managerial experience in the management of land and property. He lives locally at Saddlescombe and his property portfolio includes land owned by the National Trust adjoining our land on the Beacon.
Phillip Cribb Trustee
Phillip Cribb is a botanist and conservationist. He has been a Ditchling Commoner for 30 years. After 32 years on the staff, he retired from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2006 but has continued his research there as an honorary fellow. He has known the Common, where his grandfather, Joseph, was a sculptor in the Guild workshops in Folders Lane, all his life. His particular interests are in ecology, butterflies and plants and their conservation.
Hugh Felton Trustee
Hugh studied an MSc in Tourism, Conservation and Sustainable Development at the University of Greenwich and has a BSc in Agriculture and Biological Sciences from Newcastle University. He draws on experience from conservation work in Madagascar and his current role in the tourism industry at ABTA, The Travel Association, balancing the impacts of visitors on communities and biodiversity.
Oliver Whaley Trustee
Oliver Whaley is a naturalist and environmental scientist. Oli is both a research associate of RBG Kew and RBG Edinburgh specialising in plant and biodiversity conservation with a wide national and international experience. He is a trustee of Rainforest Concern and directs NGOs in Peru and Chile. Oliver lives in Cuckfield and is active in protection of local biodiversity, education and habitat restoration at the Holy Trinity primary school.