Ownership
The freehold of the Park is held by Clare Town Council. In March 2015, when the Park was transferred from Suffolk County Council to the Town Council, a 30 year lease and management agreement was entered into by the Town Council and Clare Castle Country Park Trust, which is responsible for the management of the Park. The Trust is a registered charity which was set up for the purpose of running the Park.
Our Trustees
The constitution of the Trust sets out that there must be a minimum of three trustees but in practice there are more, some of whom are appointed/re-elected every two years.
Trustees can be appointed in a number of ways: by the Town Council, by the trustees themselves or by a combination of the Town Council, trustees and ‘supporters’ (supporters are volunteers, Friends and Patrons).
The Trust meets regularly to review progress, discuss plans and proposals and provides regular reports to the Town Council. An annual public meeting is held to report on the past year and plans, including reporting on the quarterly accounts and annually reviewed business plan.
Marian Merch-Chammon, Chair of the Trustees
Marian was appointed Chair of Trustees from June 2025, having been closely involved in the running of the Visitor Centre since it was set up the 2021.
Marian has lived in Clare for 38 years, raised her family here and has been very involved in the local community as a volunteer for over 40 years, with roles ranging from Chair of Clare playgroup, PTA at the middle school, Town Hall management committee, secretary of CHOC, Friday Club at the Baptist Church and Clare in Bloom to the Covid support taskforce and gardening for Clare’s older residents. She has volunteered at the Park’s Visitor Centre since it opened and is passionate & committed to the park.
When asked what she is most passionate about in the Park, Marian said:
“My vision is to see children who visit the Park now, return in time with their children and remember all the good times they had exploring and learning about Clare’s history and the living environment, as my daughters did when they were younger. We can help at the Visitor Centre by supplying booklets and trails to get children excited about learning without them knowing it.
Memories of Clare Castle Country Park are all around us and I want to be a part of keeping this space special for everyone.”
Allan Marley, Health and Safety Trustee
Allan has over 20 years’ experience working within anaerobic digestion, renewable energy, agriculture and high-risk operational environments. Throughout his career he has been responsible for operational safety, compliance, maintenance coordination, contractor management and risk assessment across complex industrial sites. He is currently progressing the NEBOSH National General Certificate and has a strong interest in promoting practical health & safety, community well being and maintaining safe public environments.
Coming from an operational and high-risk industry background, Allan brings a practical and hands-on approach to the Park, with focus on supporting the upkeep of community assets, public safety and future improvements that help keep the Park welcoming and accessible for everyone.
When asked what Allan was most passionate about within the Park –
“I am passionate about keeping the Park safe, well maintained, and enjoyable for the whole community. I think it is important that the Park continues to grow as a valued community space where families, visitors, and local residents can relax, enjoy nature, and take part in events throughout the year.”
Neil Bagshaw, Green Space Trustee
Having lived and worked in Clare since 1981 Neil has many happy memories related to the Park. These include those with his own family, friends and students from the local school where Neil spent much of his teaching life.
Since retiring he has spent many enjoyable hours as a “green space” volunteer, enjoying the experience of working in a natural environment.
When asked what he is most passionate about within the Park, Neil said:
“We have, I believe, a beautiful and unique resource and I am committed to ensuring that it remains a natural gem in the town of Clare.”
Sue Eyre, Merchandising Trustee
Sue was appointed a trustee in March 2022. She lives and works in Clare and is a volunteer steward a the Visitor Centre, as well as being part of the small group which manages it. Sue supplies galleries in Suffolk and Norfolk with ceramics she makes here in Clare.
When asked what she is most passionate about in the Park, Sue said:
“As a relative newcomer to Clare, I was immediately struck by what a unique and precious resource the Park is. I intend to use my role as a Trustee to help develop and protect its position at the heart of our beautiful small town.”
Sherralyn Drury, Education and Young People Trustee
Sherralyn was appointed a trustee in March 2022.
Sherralyn lives and works in Clare. As a teacher at Stour Valley Community School, she is keen to promote links between the Park and school and to strengthen young people’s involvement with the Park.
When asked what she is most passionate about in the Park, Sherralyn said:
“I love that Clare Country Park has something for everyone: from little people being able to play in a safe playground or feed the ducks, for the fitness conscious Saturday morning Parkrun, to whole family community events, a friendly tearoom to meet up with friends, an information centre with a wealth of knowledge about the surrounding nature and the history of Clare and so, so much more. Following my recent major surgery, the Park has been invaluable in helping my recovery, and now I want to give a little back, to ensure it continues to give others the enjoyment I have been fortunate to have.”
Being a Trustee
Roles and Responsibilities
The role of a Clare Castle Country Park Trust Trustee is summarised in six main duties:
- To ensure that the charity is carrying out its purpose for the public’s benefit.
- To comply with the charity’s governing body and the law.
- To act in the charity’s best interest.
- To manage the charity’s resources responsibly.
- To act with reasonable care and skill.
- To ensure the charity is accountable e.g. complies with statutory accounting and reporting requirements etc.
The rules of the Trust are contained in a formal document. This sets out the purposes for which the Trust exists, which are:
- To preserve, protect, maintain and improve the physical and natural environment of Clare Castle Country Park for the public benefit, interest and enjoyment; including by providing facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving their conditions of life.
- To advance the education of the public concerning the history and heritage of Clare Castle Country Park and its physical and natural attributes and heritage.
Please note that the above points are taken from the text approved by the Charity Commission.
Expertise and Insight
The aim is to have a board of Trustees who are able to manage the diverse range of matters that the Trusts experiences. Different Trustees bring different insights with the overall aim to ensure that the board has knowledge that spans the following areas: business management, history & heritage, park management, education, finance, building maintenance, health & safety, listed buildings, event & activity organisation, PR & media.
When a new Trustee joins the board, the areas of responsibilities are discussed and agreed within the above categories.
Commitment
Trustees usually meet monthly, as of a weekday evening. Trustees are asked to attend at least two thirds of the monthly meetings in any one financial year. Papers are circulated prior to meetings which often contain proposals for projects, ongoing activities, outstanding future plans and decisions that will require decisions. Trustees are asked to read the papers so that any questions can be raised and decisions can be made efficiently during each meeting.
Other papers may be circulated throughout the month that will also require attention.
Time commitment may vary throughout the year depending on projects and events with the most active times requiring, on average, 10-15 hours per month.
Appointment
Clare Castle Country Park Trust aims to have a minimum of 8 Trustees. Trustees are appointed for a 4 year term with half of them being elected/ re-elected every 2 years. There are 4 methods of appointment:
- Two Trustees are appointed by the Town Council in consultation with the Trust (they do not need to be Town Councillors)
- Two Trustees are appointed following an advertising campaign. A selection panel for these Trustees will consist of 2 Trustees and 1 Town Councillor
- Two Trustees are appointed by existing Trustees
- Two Trustees are appointed by volunteers, Patrons and Friends.