Our team.
Lady Penelope Mortimer - Head of Trustees
I feel lucky to have lived at Turville Heath for over 50 years and love our whole area, a site of outstanding natural beauty.
I became involved with the Turville School Trust in the early 1990s. We raised the money to buy the old Church of England Primary School, which had lain empty for about 12 years, with the help of my husband, John, and many other good hearted people. It is marvellous to be able to share our homes and surroundings with children from the inner city who often have never even seen a green field or a cow.
Julian White - Trustee & Treasurer
I began my involvement with the Turville Trust as a day volunteer which corresponded with my day job as a horse trainer as clients would invite the children to their homes to come and try riding. I saw the impact it made on these children, it became something very close to my heart as I too had grown up in London and found the joy of the countryside. I have been involved with the Trust for the two decades since and have now been a trustee for a number of years which I thoroughly enjoy. The best part of which is seeing the children each year growing such confidence, seeing them come to light. Not only that, but it is a wonderful respite for families and gives children an opportunity to see something different that may open their eyes to other paths in life. I hope to be involved for many years to come.
Bob White - Trustee
I have lived and farmed in the Turville valley for the past 40 years, and brought up a family of 4 children, all of whom understand the values and joys of country life. I became involved in the Turville trust since its inception. Every summer, I have been taking weekly groups of children around the land we farm trying to enthuse and educate them in countryside life. I also help with the weekly bbq's where I get to know the children and their stories. If these holidays can make a difference to one child's life each year, it is all worthwhile.
Anna Stockings - Trustee
My family have been involved with the Turville trust since the beginning, taking the children on farm tours each week, I have very fond memories as a child, of long summers playing with the Turville children, swimming and bbq’s. It is always fun to show them a bit of farm life. As a mother of 3 little ones now, it is a pleasure to be a trustee and help ensure the future of these precious holidays to the children.
Rosie Mortimer - Trustee
My parents were involved in the Turville Trust right from the very start - as a child/teenager I helped out at fundraising events and spent many happy summers with the children who came on the Turville holidays. Now my own children look forward to the summer for the same reason - the chance to play football, build dens etc with new friends, some of whom return year after year.
I became a trustee of the charity several years ago and have helped to arrange the holidays ever since. I am always overwhelmed by the amazing support and generosity of the locals who open their doors, put on activities, cook and bake delicious cakes for the visiting children.
To watch the children who come on our holidays find their confidence, make friends and have respite from their often complicated home lives is such a joy and I hope we can continue to do this for many more years to come!
Jessie Rouse - Assistant to the Trust.
I have been involved with the Trust for five years, organising the respite holidays and assisting in the day to day running of the Trust. The children that come to the Trust are amazing and it is such a privilege to spend time with them and watch them grow in confidence. Like so many involved in the Trust it something my parents were involved with, running art workshops which is now something I do at the Trust alongside my own kids.