Who We Are

Patron

Ben Stoneham, Lord Stoneham of Droxford

Ben has lived in Droxford for over 30 years. He worked for over twenty years in the newspaper industry initially with the company who owned the Portsmouth News and then as Operations Director of News international. He chaired the company who built the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, and has been involved in economic regeneration work since the 1990’s. He was made a Liberal Democrat Life Peer in 2011. He has had a lifetime interest in politics and local history, and in particular the logistics of D-Day.

Trustees

Trustee, Chair, Education Advisor, Communications, Heritage – June Kershaw

June retired as an Executive Head Teacher in 2018 after working for 30 years in education. She started her career in Portsmouth teaching English, and later as a Primary Head Teacher she worked as a School Advisor for Hampshire County Council. Appointed to an executive post for Surrey County Council, she successfully carried out the amalgamation of two infant schools, a junior school, and a children’s centre, to become the largest primary school in Surrey.
She was a trained Ofsted Inspector and Educational Coach. June has lived in Droxford for 27 years and is a Governor at Droxford Junior School.

Trustee, Building Consultant – Tony Hoile
Tony has worked in the construction industry for 50 years, and recently retired as Contracts Manager for CLC Contractors Ltd. In addition to his role on the FODC he also acts as an advisor on building matters for the PCC.

Trustee , Treasurer – Sandy Baillie-Strong

Sandy is a retired dental practitioner who was in practice in Hedge End for 29 years, after having spent 15 years in Durban, South Africa.

After living in Curdridge for 23 years he moved to Droxford and as well as becoming a trustee for FODC, he is the Droxford Electoral Roll Officer and also assists with maintaining the graveyard,

Originally from Edinburgh, his grandfather and great grandfather were successive vicars in a local parish for a total of 50 years.

 

Trustee, Secretary, Membership and Events – Sally Sturt

Sally retired as a Chartered Patent and Trade Mark Agent and European Patent Attorney having been a partner or owner in various firms since 1997. She is a long term resident of the Meon Valley with active involvement reinvigorating Droxford Neighbourhood Watch, being an admin on various Droxford WhatsApp groups, Tower Captain of the recently reformed Droxford Bell Ringers, trained barista, and team lead at Wilfrid’s Café. Experience also includes co-authoring the Meonstoke Village Design Statemen, and chairman of a local investment club for 9 years.

Droxford Parochial Church Council Representative – Jeff Hooper

Jeff is a long term Droxford resident and member of the church.  He has extensive business experience as a Company Director.

Trustee, Heritage ( Former Chair ) – John Symes
John retired from Cisco Systems in 2011 having spent 30 years as a senior manager in the telecommunications industry.  He led the FODC during Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project, and later fund-raising for the Annexe.  He is a member of the congregation at St Mary’s church and has lived in Droxford for over 30 years.

Trustee, Communications – Adam Sinnott
Adam is a Software Engineer and creates custom Web, Mobile and AI/ML Apps.

Trustee and Architectural Advisor – John Dryden Brownlee

John was a Chartered Architect, and had worked with Portsmouth City Council, HCC, and as Chief Architect HCC/GLC Basingstoke Town Joint Committee for town expansion programme, and Borough of Basingstoke Chief Architect 1973-1982; he worked in Private Practice 1982 until his death. His support and professional wisdom was invaluable to FODC and the recent restoration of Droxford church.

Audio Visual Consultant and volunteer- Colin Richardson ( details to Follow)

Events Organizer and Volunteer – Clare Hooper ( details to follow)

Ben Stoneham

Lord Stoneham of Droxford

Ben has lived in Droxford for over 30 years. He worked for over twenty years in the newspaper industry initially with the company who owned the Portsmouth News and then as Operations Director of News International. He chaired the company who built the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, and has been involved in economic regeneration work since the 1990’s. He was made a Liberal Democrat Life Peer in 2011. He has had a lifetime interest in politics and local history, and in particular the logistics of D-Day.

Lee Jones

Chair of the Trustees, Treasurer

A local man, born and bred in Hampshire with a passion for old buildings. A proven track record for purchasing heritage buildings, developing them to include vibrant businesses such as providing a cafe or reinvigorating a pub serving drinks to ensure a future for the building.
Unlikely to retire from his construction company specialising in older properties, and kitchen renovations.

Tony Hoile

Trustee, Building Consultant

Tony has extensive experience having worked in the construction industry for 50 years, and recently retired as Contracts Manager for CLC Contractors Ltd. A stalwart throughout the recent renovations of Droxford church and the annexe build. In addition to his role on the FODC he also acts as an advisor on building matters for the PCC.

Sally Sturt

Trustee Secretary, Communications

Sally retired as a Chartered Patent and Trade Mark Agent and European Patent Attorney having been a partner or owner in various firms since 1997. She is a long term resident of the Meon Valley with active involvement reinvigorating Droxford Neighbourhood Watch, being an admin on various Droxford WhatsApp groups, Tower Captain of the recently reformed Droxford Bell Ringers, trained barista, and team lead at Wilfrid’s Café. Experience also includes co-authoring the Meonstoke Village Design Statement, and chairman of a local investment club for 9 years.

June Kershaw

Trustee, PCC Liason, Heritage

June retired as an Executive Head Teacher in 2018 after working for 30 years in education. She started her career in Portsmouth teaching English, and later as a Primary Head Teacher she worked as a School Advisor for Hampshire County Council. Appointed to an executive post for Surrey County Council, she successfully carried out the amalgamation of two infant schools, a junior school, and a children’s centre, to become the largest primary school in Surrey.
She was a trained Ofsted Inspector and Educational Coach. June has lived in Droxford for 27 years and is a Governor at Droxford Junior School. June has actively supported Droxford church by joining the PCC, volunteering at Wilfrid's Cafe as a trained barista and team lead and most recently Droxford PCC Safeguarding Officer.

Colin Richardson

Audio Visual Consultant and volunteer

A highly valued volunteer who identified and developed the parameters needed to implement a new audio visual experience in Droxford church. Then consulted widely and was tenacious in ensuring all permissions were granted. Finally, closely worked with the installers and ensured a seamless installation of phase 1.

Clare Hooper

Events Organiser and volunteer

One of the original fund raisers for FODC first becoming involved in 2016. This included being one of the designers contributing to Wilfrid's Cafe logo, recruiting the initial volunteers for Wilfrid's Cafe and designing the procedures for Wilfrid's Cafe as well as becoming one of the original directors.
Highly creative in formulating ideas for raising funds; most recently the Amy Baker musical events and tea dance to co-inside with the D-Day anniversary in 2024.

Adam Sinnott

IT Consultant and volunteer

A highly valued and active volunteer across Droxford. A former Trustee. A Software Engineer creating custom Web, Mobile and AI/ML Apps including managing this website.

Former Trustees

Volunteer

We are indebted to the numerous former Trustees and volunteers who gave selflessly their time, energy and experience. To those who had the vision to save Droxford church for another millennia through forming FODC, to those who raised funds ceaselessly to pay for the essential renovations and building the annexe, to those who oversaw that building work, and to those whose financial acumen saw the establishment of the cafe to provide a sustainable revenue.

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