The Trustees of the Friends of Roman Aldborough (FORA) seek to guide the activities of the Trust so as to achieve its charitable objects in accordance with the Trust’s constitution and policies.
Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred, Chair of Trustees
After graduating in History from Leeds University, I travelled extensively in Africa before returning to the UK, becoming a barrister and, in 1983, joining WH Smith as Director of Legal Affairs in their satellite and cable TV business. The business was spun out to Walt Disney and Vivendi, but this partnership was dissolved in 1995, so a colleague and I organised a management buy-out of several UK and European TV production companies. These companies listed in the UK as Television Corp PLC, and I returned to Yorkshire in 2000. My family has had a long-standing interest in exploring the Aldborough Roman site, and my grandmother, Lady Margery Lawson-Tankred, gave the current English Heritage site to the Ministry of Works in the 1950s, so I naturally got involved. Another passion is music so, as well as FORA, I also chair the Northern Aldborough Festival, the Opera North Future Fund and the Ripon Cathedral Music Trust. I am married to Julia, and we have two teenage children, Flora and Thomas.
After graduating in History from Leeds University, I travelled extensively in Africa before returning to the UK, becoming a barrister and, in 1983, joining WH Smith as Director of Legal Affairs in their satellite and cable TV business. The business was spun out to Walt Disney and Vivendi, but this partnership was dissolved in 1995, so a colleague and I organised a management buy-out of several UK and European TV production companies. These companies listed in the UK as Television Corp PLC, and I returned to Yorkshire in 2000. My family has had a long-standing interest in exploring the Aldborough Roman site, and my grandmother, Lady Margery Lawson-Tankred, gave the current English Heritage site to the Ministry of Works in the 1950s, so I naturally got involved. Another passion is music so, as well as FORA, I also chair the Northern Aldborough Festival, the Opera North Future Fund and the Ripon Cathedral Music Trust. I am married to Julia, and we have two teenage children, Flora and Thomas.
Jane Barber, Secretary-Treasurer
As a founder member of FORA, it has been my privilege to work with other Trustees to develop FORA from a Community Group into a thriving Educational Charity. With a background of education and business, and being part of a large family, I have brought a variety of skills to my FORA activities. I am currently involved in several projects including website development, regular newsletters and the Roman Garden Project. I especially value the friendship of fellow Trustees and FORA members. Performing music is a very important part of my life, both classical and folk and particularly early music. My many craft activities have resulted in my recruitment to the St James Arts and Crafts Festival! Finally, thanks to FORA, I found out about the Roman Baths in York – a quest that started when I was 6.
As a founder member of FORA, it has been my privilege to work with other Trustees to develop FORA from a Community Group into a thriving Educational Charity. With a background of education and business, and being part of a large family, I have brought a variety of skills to my FORA activities. I am currently involved in several projects including website development, regular newsletters and the Roman Garden Project. I especially value the friendship of fellow Trustees and FORA members. Performing music is a very important part of my life, both classical and folk and particularly early music. My many craft activities have resulted in my recruitment to the St James Arts and Crafts Festival! Finally, thanks to FORA, I found out about the Roman Baths in York – a quest that started when I was 6.
David Roberts, Programme & Education
I’m David Roberts, the Trustee looking after the annual programme and education visits. A local primary headteacher for 24 years, I have been part of the FORA Team since 2012. It is very satisfying that renowned speakers from all over the country are keen to come to Aldborough to share their specialist knowledge. It is great to help in the digs and I was delighted when school children could become young archaeologists too. When I first set foot in Aldborough I knew it was very special, but never thought I would become so deeply involved in finding out more about its fascinating history. I look forward with excitement to everything that we are now planning for the future!
I’m David Roberts, the Trustee looking after the annual programme and education visits. A local primary headteacher for 24 years, I have been part of the FORA Team since 2012. It is very satisfying that renowned speakers from all over the country are keen to come to Aldborough to share their specialist knowledge. It is great to help in the digs and I was delighted when school children could become young archaeologists too. When I first set foot in Aldborough I knew it was very special, but never thought I would become so deeply involved in finding out more about its fascinating history. I look forward with excitement to everything that we are now planning for the future!
Christopher Butterworth, FORA Trustee
I have been a resident of Aldborough for over 50 years and have a deep interest in its history and heritage. Shortly after I joined the committee of FORA, I was involved in our becoming a charity. As a retired solicitor I have, amongst other things, been able to help with our planning, regulation, governance, and risk management. My interests include boats and sailing, DIY, bridge, fly-fishing and country activities. I particularly enjoy playing a part, through FORA, in the development of the story of Roman Aldborough.
Irene McCandlish, FORA Trustee
Originally from Glasgow and the west of Scotland, I’m a retired veterinary pathologist and I’ve been an Aldborough resident since 1997, when I first discovered the village and its Roman Town one Bank Holiday weekend. A steering group member of FORA at its inception and now a Trustee, I act as a tour guide on the EH site for FORA and am now an EH volunteer. I also help with the Roman Garden and bake for FORA meetings and other events. As well as finding pottery shards in my flower beds, I really enjoy interacting with FORA members and the Cambridge excavation team and helping to expand knowledge of our beautiful and historic village.
Originally from Glasgow and the west of Scotland, I’m a retired veterinary pathologist and I’ve been an Aldborough resident since 1997, when I first discovered the village and its Roman Town one Bank Holiday weekend. A steering group member of FORA at its inception and now a Trustee, I act as a tour guide on the EH site for FORA and am now an EH volunteer. I also help with the Roman Garden and bake for FORA meetings and other events. As well as finding pottery shards in my flower beds, I really enjoy interacting with FORA members and the Cambridge excavation team and helping to expand knowledge of our beautiful and historic village.
Phil Christie, IT and Website
I’m a geophysicist and currently the most recent FORA Trustee, having joined the team at the 2022 AGM. My wife Judith and I are fascinated by archaeology, and we’ve followed the research by Martin Millett and Rose Ferraby in both Cambridge and here. For two seasons we had the pleasure of hosting Martin’s student, Ellie Maw, while she acquired geomagnetic data over Aldborough’s fields. FORA supports both the archaeology and wider public awareness of the importance of Isurium Brigantum in Roman Britain. I hope, as a trustee, to help those efforts as FORA expands its activities and the Roman Town project evolves over the coming years.
I’m a geophysicist and currently the most recent FORA Trustee, having joined the team at the 2022 AGM. My wife Judith and I are fascinated by archaeology, and we’ve followed the research by Martin Millett and Rose Ferraby in both Cambridge and here. For two seasons we had the pleasure of hosting Martin’s student, Ellie Maw, while she acquired geomagnetic data over Aldborough’s fields. FORA supports both the archaeology and wider public awareness of the importance of Isurium Brigantum in Roman Britain. I hope, as a trustee, to help those efforts as FORA expands its activities and the Roman Town project evolves over the coming years.