Chesham Museum trustees

Peter has had a long career as a professional environmental services engineer founding and running his own practice for thirty plus years before retiring to Chesham eighteen years ago.

His interests include golf where he was seniors’ captain for a year as well as holding various other administration roles, latterly playing lawn bowls. Peter is an active Rotarian, involved in numerous local activities and takes pleasure in serving our local community.

Since Peter took on the role of Chair of Chesham Museum he has championed the recent work towards securing a new a online presence and continues to work hard towards re-establishing a permanent home for the museum in town.

Karen has had a more than 30 year career in museums, starting her journey as an archaeologist at The British Museum and then moving to be curator then director at a large arts, heritage and Cultural charity in Luton. In 2021 she moved sector to be CEO of a community foundation.

Karen is passionate about heritage, museums and the arts and the role they can place in shaping stronger communities and supporting better mental health.

As vice chair she has focused her work on fundraising and has secured several grants for the museum and has spearheaded securing the museum’s accreditation status and new digital programme.

John is a semi-retired Financial Adviser, specialising in Inheritance Tax & Trusts. In addition to the museum, he is also Treasurer & Trustee of the White Hill Centre (C&DCA) and Chesham Folk Club, and the London Branch of an Irish Railway Society recording the history of Irish Railways.

He has a lifelong interest in UK, and more recently Irish railways, and has always enjoyed listening to folk music. He does not perform.

John passionately believes the way forward for the Museum is through substantially enhancing its digital presence and has supported securing a number of grants and award that’s are helping drive this ambition forward.

Until his mid 40s Jim worked in various administration roles then feeling the need to have a change he launched out as a self-employed gardener which he still continues although part-time to this day. Jim has always loved browsing around antique shops and has an interest in most things old, buildings, transport and toys and much more.

Jim has always lived in the Chesham area, was schooled at Newtown, Whitehill and Germains schools and pride himself on his determination to support the needs of local people and see the museum secure an exciting future as it continues to present our town’s rich heritage.

Katharine was born and educated in Aylesbury with a close set of family and friends and has 17 grand children. She is a member of Livery, Rotary and Inner Wheel and also enjoys gardening, music, bridge, tennis and genealogy.

She is writing her 5th book on the history of the family business of HG Matthews, farmers and brick manufacturers, near Chesham, which celebrates its centenary in 2023. She is determined to secure a new home for the museum and for it to be recognised as a valuable asset to Chesham.

A retired corporate lecturer in internet technologies and programming, Laurence has lived in Chesham for only a few years but has been determined to immerse himself in the local community. Laurence is also a Rotarian and President of Chesham Rotary during the year 2022/2023.

One of his main interests through the years has been computing and technology in general and with this set of skills Laurence is invaluable in helping shape the new website and online presence for the museum.

Laurence believes the museum’s plans for promoting the history of Chesham and involving the people of the town in projects is of real benefit to the public and is looking forward to helping the other trustees in guiding those plans.

A journalist for most of his working life, latterly gardener and community activist. In the last 20 years he has have become drawn to other avenues, such as ancient history, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman era, Celts and local history. Here he uses his skills as an editor, writer and communicator to share with others his fascination with local history and local names.

Chris always celebrates Chesham as a working town and It was because of this that he first became interested in the museum. He was chair of he trustees for ten years before the museum had to close and has stayed on to share his knowledge to help shape the museum’s future.