Trustees

Elio Astone

I have lived locally since the 1970's and am a regular visitor to Radley Lakes where, as for many people and communities, the lakes are a welcome environmental and wellness space and a haven of tranquility in connecting one with nature.

I have an abundance of experience in corporate funding and finance markets, both public and private sector, built over a lifetime in the financial services sector. My passion and dedication are to ethical practices, environmental and sustainable commerce and supporting local businesses with a particular emphasis on sustainability, to be successful in their journey toward creating and delivering a greener future and the pivotal transition to net-zero operations.

I am proud and honored to also serve as an Abingdon Town Council Councilor, and a member of the Town Council's Finance and Governance, Town Infrastructure, and Planning Committees.
I value all that Radley Lakes is and can be in providing vital green spaces and engagement with and for nature, and people's needs for health and mental wellbeing, and honored to support the aims of Radley Lakes Trust in playing a humble part helping the trust achieve these.

Sheena Bell

Sheena is a chartered landscape architect and brings over 25 years of experience in developing landscape-led masterplans through to implementation, focussing on large-scale and often ecologically sensitive sites. Sheena is a passionate advocate for the benefits that green spaces bring to health and well-being of both people and nature, and the vital role they play in mitigating, and positively combating climate change and addressing the biodiversity emergency.

In her spare time Sheena loves to be outside in her garden and allotment, swimming in outdoor lidos, as well as walking, running and cycling along the River Thames and beautiful Radley Lakes. Sheena lives in Abingdon with her husband and two teenage boys.

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.

Mike Wilson (Vice chair)

Mike lived in Radley for 17 years and now is a resident of Abingdon.  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 300 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.

Sam Cobley - Marketing Manager

With a background in marketing within the IT industry, Sam brought his expertise to the launch of The Radley Lakes Story. Now, he's a trusted advisor to The Radley Lakes Trust, offering strategic guidance on all things marketing and communications.

Rachel Ruscombe-King - Social Media Manager

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