the team

Trustees

Mike McCart
Chairman

Lived on Marley Common for 39 years and longstanding member who contributed to the fundraising campaign to purchase the three Commons in 1998. Recently retired from Southbank Centre in London after 40 years and now a Trustee at the Edward James Foundation which runs West Dean College and Estate.

Chairs the Trustees meetings which take place six times a year. Provides overall leadership of strategic priorities, public education and information and liaison with key agencies including South Downs National Park and the National Trust. Volunteer Co-Ordinator for Marley Heath.

Christopher Tibbs
Deputy Chair / Chair of Land Management Committee

Born in Lynchmere in 1957 and still lives at Bunchfield, the house built by his Grandmother’s Aunts in 1912. Worked for the NHS for 43 years and now the Medical Director for NHS England in the South East of England. Been a member of the society since it was founded in 1990.

Before he went to Medical School Christopher read Zoology at Oxford which has given him a lifelong interest in the natural world and a sound grounding in ecology. During his University holidays he worked for Eric Madgewick, who many will remember as a local farmer and woods man. From Eric, Christopher learnt many of the skill we using in maintaining the commons from hay making to tree felling to hedge laying. In the summer of 1980 he helped Eric build the post and rail fence which still surrounds Wilcox field 45 years later.

Role
Deputy Chair and Chair of Land Management Committee which leads on all management plans including heathland, woodland, meadows, orchard and hedgerows.

Anita Martin
Treasurer

Anita has lived in Marley Common for 28 years. Qualified as an accountant with Arthur Andersen in 1996. Since then, held finance posts at companies in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector and continues to work part-time for a local marketing consultancy firm. Treasurer and Secretary of the Mabel Grant Trust.

Role
The Treasurer who oversees Annual Budgets, Financial Controls, Annual Accounts and Charity Commission Returns

Peter Searight
Art & Nature projects / Land Management Committee

Peter was an Engineering graduate, who transitioned from a 25-year career in industry and finance to being a professional photographer at The Remarkable Studio, capturing Lynchmere's beauty. His award-winning portfolio, featuring 20 years of Commons photography, has earned a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a BIPP Fellowship. Since 1962. Peter’s family moved to Lynchmere in 1962 and he has been actively involved with the Lynchmere Society for 30 years. He remains passionate about the need to connect people with nature so as to help sustain our rare habitat and to bring much needed beauty to many affected by the stresses of modern life.

Role
Land Management Committee member for Lynchmere and Stanley Commons and landscape photography for the website and other channels including leading a photo competition with Camelsdale School’s children and parents.

Longer term, Peter will development Art and Nature projects to encourage a wide range of creatives to be inspired by the rare landscape. Whether it be photography, film, painting, poetry or sculpture.

Louise Searight
Volunteer Co-Ordinator

After a career in radio therapy and nuclear medicine, Louise moved to Lynchmere with her young family in 1991 and soon became actively involved in the Lynchmere Society. Her commitment to the community and engaging style helped the Society build a network of local craftsmen, suppliers and volunteers that made the considerable task of restoring and maintaining the commons and meadows possible with the limited resources available. Walking the commons every day also provided and opportunity to connect with other users and expand the society’s membership. 30 years of experience has given her a deep insight into the needs and workings of these special places.

Role
Volunteer Co-Ordinator for Lynchmere and Stanley Commons supporting both local and corporate volunteers.

Judy Rouse
Legacy Stakeholder

Also a long standing Lynchmere resident who has been involved with the Society since the 1990’s, Judy used her 10 year tenure as chairman to develop contacts with like minded organisations, wildlife experts and environmental specialists. She invested large amounts of time with government and Lottery funding bodies like Heathlands Reunited, whilst ensuring that volunteers and special resources, like the graziers, were in place to meet obligations under grant contracts. Over 30 years, she has also accumulated detailed knowledge of many aspects of the Society and the people involved.

Role
Judy is our liaison and link with the Parish Council. She has a huge repository of valuable historical knowledge.

Bruce Middleton
Land Management Committee for Habitats & Biodiversity

Involved in Lynchmere 30 years ago starting as the Public Rights of Way Officer for both the Sussex Downs Conservation Board and West Sussex County Council. Role as Countryside Ranger meant involvement with the fundraising campaign to purchase the Commons in 1998. Helped bring the Lynchmere Commons and part of Marley Common into a government Stewardship agreement that has enabled the Lynchmere Society to have core funding to manage the land. Recently moved Cornwall to run a smallholding with livestock but returns to the area regularly.

Role
Member of the Land Management Committee for Habitats and Biodiversity Management. Completed a baseline habitat survey of the commons in 2024 and led a survey workshop for 30 volunteers. Leading the funding applications under the government’s new ELMS. Leading development of public educational information and wildlife illustrations.

Mikaela Bancroft
Membership, Digital & Marketing / Land Management Committee

Moved to Marley Lane four years ago. Originally from the Lincolnshire Wolds, but more recently, 24 years near Wandsworth Common in London. Was Head of Design and UX at Times Education (TES). Before that ran her own design agency, launching Annabel Karmel, The Zetter Hotel and many publishing and financial brands.

Role
Membership, Digital and Marketing. Role is to communicate all events, transform the website and reaching out into social media. Creates eye catching posters and postcards. Mikaela has modernised what was a spreadsheet based membership into HubSpot. She oversees the database of members and volunteers and communicates to our 450+ members and volunteers.

Land Management Committee

Colin Hampton
Tree & Fence Management

A long standing local resident and the director of H ampton Tree Services

Role
Currently building the society a pole barn to store farming equipment and hay in the Roundabouts field.

Gareth Hopkins
Cow Club Director

A long standing local resident with a background in farming and a lot of experience with cows.

Role
Gareth helps in a voluntary capacity, managing the Cow Club Belted Galloways movements and offering guidance from his wealth of experience.

Edwin Brooks
Cow Club Director

Edwin grew up near Lynchmere and has been working and volunteering on the commons for 15 years. He is an Agroecological farmer and founded Devils Lane Market Garden where his business Ed’s Veg grows food for the community (Instagram @edsveg).

Role
He has been helping with cattle movements and decision making since founding Cow Club with local National Trust ranger Sarah Fisk in 2018.

Key TLS Volunteers

Chris Pooley
Warden for Marley Heath & Common

Mark Allery
Workshops & Orchard Warden

Pole-lathe turner, greenwood worker and woodsman living and working in and around Lynchmere.

Role
With a wealth of local and historical knowledge and farming techniques mark hosts events such as Bosum Broom and Charcoal Making, alongside being our key career of Society's Orchard.