Trustees

Andrew Ashton

Andrew Ashton has lived in Radley since 2008 where he is the Bursar of Radley College.  Before that, Andrew worked in the financial services industry for many years, in a number of roles including in consultancy, change and project management and as a corporate banking manager.  Andrew has a degree in chemistry from University College Oxford, and, despite enjoying growing up in Newcastle, considers Radley and the surrounding area his spiritual home, having been christened at St Leonard's, Sunningwell.  A keen walker, runner and real tennis player, Andrew values all that the local area has to offer and is delighted to support the aims of the Radley Lakes Trust and play his part in helping achieve these.

Lynda Crowley (Treasurer)

Mrs Lynda Crowley moved to Radley in the early 1990’s.  She joined the Parish Council in 2007, became Chairman of the Parish Finance and Administration Committee for a number of years, before relinquishing that post to become Chairman of the Parish Council in 2019.  In 2005 she was appointed Treasurer of Save Radley Lakes (now Friends of Radley Lakes) and helped to raise funds for a successful campaign, which culminated in an area designated a waste site being procured for public enjoyment for future generations.  In 2008 she became Treasurer of Radley Village Shop Association and still holds that post, as well as being Treasurer of Friends of Radley Station and recently The Radley Lakes Trust.

A career in Accountancy, Procurement and Administration for some decades, still continues in both paid and voluntary work.

David Fraser

David is an ecologist by profession, now working for the U.K. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in a business development capacity.  David brings to the trust his experience as an ecologist and business development manager, and his charitable involvement with the national conservation  charity The Wild Trout Trust.  However, above all, David brings a passionate advocacy for nature, and the benefits of engagement with it for people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

David lives in Radley with his wife and two children, all of whom are regular and enthusiastic visitors to the Radley lakes area.

David Guyoncourt

I have had a lifelong interest in nature and after moving to Abingdon in 1974, I explored the Radley Lakes area, running along the many footpaths which cross the site.  I soon realised what a superb area for wildlife it was, and have since surveyed and recorded its flora and fauna for county and national organisations.

In 2003 I became co-warden of Barton Fields Wildlife Site and recruited volunteers to manage the site on behalf of the Vale Council.  Since then, our Green Team have enhanced the site by creating wildflower meadows and ponds, financed with funding from organisations such as the National Lottery.

I became aware of the threat to Radley Lakes in the 1990s and with colleagues, became a founder member of Save Radley Lakes in 2005.  I am also a long-standing member and Conservation Chairman of Abingdon Naturalists Society.

Adrian Lawson

Adrian grew up in Kennington when his family moved to the area in the 1960’s and so has always had a close affinity to Radley  He currently lives in North Abingdon.

Adrian spent all his working life in IT working on application and infrastructure projects for multiple clients across different industry sectors, with over 20 years in Project Management.

Having taken early retirement from the IT world, Adrian has become increasingly interested in wildlife, conservation, and the environment.  The wider Radley lakes area is such natural habitat for wildlife, and he has been inspired by the Radley Lakes Masterplan which identifies so much potential for increasing the awareness of the wider lakes area and giving people more opportunities to appreciate the diverse wildlife in the area while enhancing health and well-being.

A keen footballer in his younger days his main way of keeping fit now is getting out in the countryside with his wife on long walks both locally and further afield, such a terrific way to maintain both physical and mental health while enjoying all the wildlife and countryside that the UK has to offer.

Roger Thomas

Roger has lived in Abingdon for most of his life.  He is an archaeologist by profession, and worked for Historic England until 2017.  He was closely involved in the 'Save Radley Lakes' campaign (2005 - 2008) and was chairman of the successor 'Friends of Radley Lakes' organisation from 2010 onwards.  Roger was involved in the early discussions which led to the establishment of the Radley Lakes Trust, and is a 'founder' trustee.

Mike Wilson (Vice chair)

Mike has lived in Radley since 2005 and continues to be an active member of the Thrupp Lane Residents’ Association.  He believes strongly that the wider Radley Lakes area can provide vital natural habitat for wildlife in our region while also creating the opportunity for quiet recreation for the local community.  

Mike has over 30 years working in food safety with national and global companies, with over 20 years as a Board Director.  He continues to provide consultancy and mentoring services in this sector.

A keen member of the Abingdon Athletics Club, Mike has run over 200 Park Runs locally and around the world.

Craig Woolhouse  (Chair)

Sue and I have lived in north Abingdon since 1997 and have regularly visited the lakes.  We are fortunate to have somewhere local to walk and enjoy the wildlife, landscapes and open air.  Like many others our physical and mental health benefit from our time in an environment that is familiar but always changing.

I recently retired from the Environment Agency where I worked as a senior manager in a variety of roles, including Area Director for the Thames Valley and national lead on flood incident management.  With a civil engineering background, I hope to bring a mix of skills to the Radley Lakes Trust to help us secure a brilliant future for the area on behalf of wildlife and the local community.

Lead Volunteers

In addition to the Trustees there are some key volunteers that help the trust operate.

Harvey Ball - Website Developer

Harvey built the Radley Lakes Trust website and helps to maintain it, add new features and provide general technical support.

Rachel Ruscombe-King - Social Media Manager

Rachel manages the trust's social media channels to help generate an online presence.