Management of the Gaia Trust
Director: Matt Edworthy
Matt Edworthy is the Director for The Gaia Trust. He started 1st April 2016.
Since 2009, he has been working in the fields of nature conservation, public engagement and sustainability for the North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Before that he held positions with the Natural Environment Research Council, The National Trust, Natural England and The British Antarctic Survey.
Since 2009, he has been working in the fields of nature conservation, public engagement and sustainability for the North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Before that he held positions with the Natural Environment Research Council, The National Trust, Natural England and The British Antarctic Survey.
Bodwannick Manor Farm Coordinator: Sarah Matta
Sarah worked for Martin Appleton at Bodwannick for 16 years before transferring to the Gaia Trust when the property was left to the Trust on Martin's death. Her role is primarily maintaining the wonderful garden herself and with volunteers, but she also keeps and eye on the house and farm as well. In the past her duties have ranged from animal care to tractor repair. Sarah now oversees therapeutic working groups at Bodwannick, working with the local hospital and mental health groups.
Home Farm Marsh Ranger: Rupert Hawley
An independent contractor working for the Trust, Rupert's role is the overall coordination of Gaia activity at Home Farm Marsh in accordance with the site’s Management Objectives. Working with local volunteers, he helps to maintain the site and leads public engagement by organising events and educational activities with a variety of partners. Rupert also undertakes Countryside Stewardship monitoring and reporting, and liaison with tenant farmer and graziers.
Treraven Farm Ranger: Elly Phillips
My role in the world of organics and conservation started with buying veg for an organic box scheme back in 2000 and has grown from strength to strength from there. I am very passionate about the natural environment and conservation which led me to study and graduate in Geosciences, work in organics, horticulture and conservation. In the past I have worked for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and still volunteer with them regularly. I have continued experiencing the pros and cons of cultivation, nourishing and nurturing soil, encouraging nature as well as learning and managing different habitats.
Administrator: Liz Freeman
Liz has had 30 years experience working in a secretarial/administrative capacity. After attending St James Secretarial college, trained with the Midland Bank (now HSBC), and then worked for several large concerns such as Berni Inns and NPI in Bristol before moving to Cornwall. She was then employed as a Practice Manager at a GP’s surgery and presently is the Administrator for the windfarm at Delabole and the Gaia Trust.
Trustee (President): John Sparks
John Sparks, a naturalist and botanist, is perhaps best known as the former head of BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol. As one of the Producers of Sir David Attenborough’s bench mark series Life on Earth, John was responsible for directing one of television’s most memorable episodes, namely David’s encounter with mountain gorillas. His career includes 6 years as Executive Producer of the BBC-2’s flagship series The Natural World, and many other outstanding wildlife documentaries including ‘Realm of the Russian Bear’.
During a busy professional life of filming that involved traveling to every corner of the globe, John managed to write a dozen or so books including one on bird behaviour, penguins, owls and parrots, and also wrote books to accompany four of his TV series. John is also a keen photographer, a bibliophile, collects Victorian microscopes, plays the pipe organ, and flies an ultralight (to emulate what birds can do better). He is now very much in demand as a lecturer and is a Fellow of the Zoological Society.
During a busy professional life of filming that involved traveling to every corner of the globe, John managed to write a dozen or so books including one on bird behaviour, penguins, owls and parrots, and also wrote books to accompany four of his TV series. John is also a keen photographer, a bibliophile, collects Victorian microscopes, plays the pipe organ, and flies an ultralight (to emulate what birds can do better). He is now very much in demand as a lecturer and is a Fellow of the Zoological Society.
Trustee: Natasha Arthur
Natasha is a qualified solicitor who practised for 3 years and taught law at Cornwall College. With a longstanding interest in farming and forestry, she part owns and manages a small country estate in a SSSI and World Heritage Site in Cornwall. It has numerous listed buildings, mature beech woodland, two lakes and a river.
Trustee: Tristram Besterman
Following a career in UK museums that spanned forty years, Tristram now provides advice and support to the wider cultural and higher education sectors. He brings to his practice a combination of educational, curatorial and managerial expertise, and the leadership of major, multi-disciplinary regional cultural institutions. He works pro bono for community and arts enterprises. His development of innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to research and public engagement draws on his experience in both the sciences and the arts.
Trustee (Chair): Peter Edwards
Peter farms 400 acres in North Cornwall with 300,000 trees planted in the last decade. He developed the first windfarm in the UK at Delabole. Peter was Chairman of the NRA Regional Rivers Advisory Committee from 1989-1996, an ex-Chairman of the BWEA (British Wind Energy Association) and past Chairman of the REA (Renewable Energy Association).
Trustee: Charles Evans
A qualified and experienced West Country accountant, Charles joined the Trust in the Autumn of 2016. He has a long standing interest in the natural environment. In 2008 he was awarded the ICAEW’s Diploma in Charity Accounting.
Trustee: Ian Martin
Ian Martin is a Chartered Town Planner. Until his retirement in 1996, he was the Deputy County Planning Officer for Cornwall with special interest in countryside and tourism matters. He has written for the professional press and was a contributing author to a standard text on rural planning. Currently, Ian is Company Secretary of the Mawnan Anvil Trust. He has travelled widely, particularly in South America and has the unusual claim to have worked within both polar regions in one twelve month period.
Trustee: Michael Stanbury
Michael runs the family farm of 156 hectares near Launceston. He breeds and has exported Devon beef cattle and judged in the U.K. and overseas. Michael is a past President of Devon Cattle Breeders Society and joint organiser of the first Devon Cattle Breeders World Convention. He has participated in Countryside Stewardship, tree planting, hedge restoration and traditional farm building restoration schemes.
Trustee: Marcus Thomson
Marcus is a solicitor and partner in the DAC Beachcroft legal business in Bristol.
Trustee: Mary Trace
A former primary school teacher who moved to Cornwall over 20 years ago when her husband was posted to RAF St Mawgan. Service life led her to become a SSAFA caseworker. Now very involved with beekeeping in Cornwall and an enthusiastic supporter of all things organic. A school governor for many years, first at Lanivet and then at the Wheal Prosper Federation of Lanivet and Cardinham Schools. A volunteer with the Labrador Rescue Trust and a keen gardener.
