From 1993-2019, the Friends of Rowntree Park ran as a not-for-profit organisation with a committee leading the day-to-day management of our volunteer activities. The Friends of Rowntree Park became a charity in June 2019 and trustees were appointed at this time. All trustees and committee members are volunteers.
Our Trustees and Committee work closely together. In fact, some trustees were originally committee members and still have active roles on the committee too. Our Trustees oversee the strategic planning of the charity. They make sure the Friends plans are in line with the charity’s aims and that the charity’s funds are handled responsibly. There is more on our strategy and action plan below.
Our committee members are involved in the day-to-day running of the charity. They plan and run events and activities in line with the charity’s aims and objectives. The committee has open/public meetings four times a year – January, April, June/July, and November(AGM). Subgroups also meet throughout the year.
We started with five trustees coming from the original committee. We recruited some new trustees in 2021, and now have 9. One of our original trustees is now our Charity Manager (Abigail Gaines).
Trustees –
Jacqui Bateson – Chair (March 2024 onwards)
Ed Woollard
Anthony Chester – Treasurer
Becci Blues
Jane Mackay – Secretary
Lucy Brown
Cath Mortimer – Previous Chair 2019-2024
Agnes Szechy
Matt Smelt-Webb
You can find out about the trustee role below:
Committee members
On our committee, we have those who lead areas and those who are general committee members who help out in a range of areas. We are always actively seeking committee members who want to lead or help out with areas of the Friends’ activities.
Team Leaders:
Charity Manager – Abigail Gaines
Oversees all and specific responsibilities for communication, volunteer coordination, Membership, newsletters, website, social media, press & publicity, events. Key point of contact.
Gardening – Stu Small
Education Lead– Christine Banham
Litter Picking – Meg Spreckley
Events – Abigail Gaines (and Christine Banham)
Admin Help – Rebecca Dodgson
Temporary Volunteer Engagement Officier – Toria Morris
Temporary Wildlife Area Volunteer Lead – Caspian Causer
Other co opted committee members currently include:
Jan Kingdom (Sensory Garden lead/Tuesday gardening) and Rose Stanyon & Nikki Ainscough(VYF).
Vacant Volunteer positions include – Lodge project lead, Volunteer Coordinator Music Coordinator, Art Coordinator, Fundraising, Marketing, Goose Management, Craft group coordinator and more.
Vision and aims
You can view our strategy here.
Our most recent action plan can be viewed here.
AGM information
FRP annual members survey 2025
Past years
Chairs report for the AGM – November 2024
AGM Minutes November 2024 (Chairs report included)
Members Survey Oct 2024
AGM Minutes October 2023 (Chairs Report included)
AGM Minutes – October 2020
Chairs Report– Oct 2020
Minutes of public meetings meetings 2025
The Friends of Rowntree Park have 4 open meetings a year. All members and volunteers are welcome to attend these meetings. A council representative attends and it’s a good chance to ask questions regarding the council’s role in managing the park. If you cannot attend the meetings but have questions to put forward or want minutes from the meetings, do get in contact.
AGM – Thursday 13th November 7-8.30pm in the cafe in Rowntree Park – all welcome.