NEW CHARITABLE TRUST
In December 2007 responsibility for the project passed to the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust, a registered charity (Registered No.1125075) whose objectives are the advancement of education, culture, arts and heritage and to promote local involvement, public access and community benefit. The Trustees are:
Bryan Gary MBE DL - Chair
Bryan is Chair of the Trust and also Chair of the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Bryan was Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of Baxi Group Limited. Bryan was, until 2001, Chairman of Preston North End and is Founder Chairman of the National Football Museum. He is Pro Chancellor of Lancaster University, a member of the Lake District National Park Authority, a trustee of National Museums Liverpool, Chair of the Liverpool Culture Company, Chairman of Urban Splash Hotels and Chairman of Westmorland Motorway Services.
The Rt Hon Lord Melvyn Bragg BA, DUniv, LLD, DLitt, DCL, FRSL, FRTS
(Trustee from January 2008). Born in Cumbria, Melvyn Bragg is Chancellor of Leeds University (since 1999), President of the National Campaign for the Arts (since 1986) and a governor of the London School of Economics (since 1997). He was made Domus Fellow, St Catherine's College, Oxford, in 1990. He became a member of the Arts Council Literature Panel in 1969 and subsequently became Chairperson.
Sir Neil Cossons OBE FSA FMA
Chairman of English Heritage until his retirement in March 2007, Sir Neil is also a trustee of National Museums Liverpool. He has worked extensively in the museums sector from the early 1960s, was Director of the Science Museum, Director of Ironbridge Museum, the Greenwich Maritime Museum and has broadcast and published widely in his specialist field of industrial archaeology, conservation and the environment.
Charles Woodhouse CVO DL
For more than 30 years, Charles Woodhouse was a partner of Farrers & Co Solicitors. He is a trustee for numerous national charities, including Athletics Foundation (the charitable arm of UK Athletics), the Mulberry Trust and Aim Foundation (grant making charities for community development, environment, youth development and healthcare projects). In Cumbria, he is a trustee of Hospice at Home: Carlisle and North Lakeland and the Cumbria Community Foundation. Charles is a governor at St Bees School and The Nelson Thomlinson School, Wigton. Charles was Chairman of Rural Regeneration Cumbria (now part of Cumbria Vision) between 2002 and 2006 and became a non-executive director of Cumbria Vision in 2006.
Cllr Joan Stocker
Joan Stocker is Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council. She is a member of Cumbria County Council's Cabinet, the North West Regional Development Agency Scrutiny Group and is the Chair and Board Member of the company established to deliver the Lakes Market Town Initiative funding programme.
Matthew Wilson
Matthew Wilson has been the Curator and Head of the RHS Garden Harlow Carr since February 2004, following four years as Curator of RHS Garden Hyde Hall. He is also a member of the Lowther Project Steering Group. Matthew is a regular columnist for the Daily Telegraph and has contributed to a number of publications including Gardeners World Magazine and Garden Life and his television credits include Gardeners World, BBC Garden of the Year, the Plantsman and the Chelsea Flower Show coverage.
Jim Lowther
Jim manages the Lowther Estate's land, art and property interests. Jim has set up a range of businesses managed by the 75,000 acre estate, and is responsible for the upland livestock and organic farming in Lowther Park, the Lowther Forestry Group and management of mountains and moorlands in partnership with the National Trust. Jim founded Lowther Manelli properties which is leading the £100m development of Penrith town centre in partnership with Eden District Council. Jim is passionate about wildernesses and landscapes and has participated in 20 expeditions to the Greater Ranges including the Himalaya, Tibet and Greenland.