Trustee/Director

Volunteer Coordinator

Studied maths and computing at Cambridge University. On leaving university worked in IT, first in software development, then later in support for two large computer equipment manufacturers. I retired in 2014 and surprisingly have not missed IT. Got involved with the Forge on seeing an advert in the local paper looking for volunteers at ‘Bache’s Forge’. Since Bache, also my surname, is a very local name I went along to see if there was any family connection. There is nothing obvious so this might be a future winter research project, for when I am less busy!

Trustee/Director

My working life was unambitious day to day factory working doing what was asked of me. Fortunately I never had to travel far and could concentrate on my home life and other interests. Volunteering at the forge satisfies some of those interests. It is in Worcestershire countryside (my county), and its energy comes from a watercourse. Rivers and canals are another interest.

I am drawn to its timeline of history in general but also its strong connection with its village through its connection with one family.

Chair of Trustees/Director

Lee is Director of Winterbourne House & Garden, the University of Birmingham’s botanic garden and accredited museum. He holds a Master of Arts degree in International Heritage Management and is particularly passionate about local, social, and industrial history. Lee serves on a number of boards and committees and is committed to help preserve the unique industrial archaeology of Churchill Forge Mill, promoting the site and its heritage to new audiences.

Trustee/Director

Bryony Hayward is the grand-daughter of Claude Bache and grew up next to the forge. Some of her earliest memories are of her grandfather working on the site. She still lives in Churchill and following on from her parents Geoff and Pauline Hayward, she plays an important role in representing the Bache family on the trust and ensuring the continuity of her grandfather’s wishes for the forge to be preserved for future generations.

Treasurer Trustee/Director

Anne is a retired Financial Director / Company Secretary who started as a Cost Accountant within the Sand, Aluminium and Smelting Foundries. She then moved on to Cold Rolled Mills with CNC Machines and then on to the Engineering Industry including Heavy Plant.

Trustee/Director

I have  worked in Heath and Social Care for over 30 years. Working in service delivery, operations and quality. For most of my career I worked in the charity sector. I recently retired early and wanted to continue to support a local charity. I have known Churchill Forge Trust for 20 years and it seemed the clear choice. I enjoy supporting such a beautiful historic site, meeting visitors and help with planning private tours and our open days.

Digital Outreach

Josh is a International Heritage Management graduate and Senior IT professional, and Executive member of the Virtual Museum of Printing and the Centre for Printing History and Culture.

Francesco Ripanti is Assistant Professor in Heritage and History at the University of Birmingham. He was previously a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at Trinity College Dublin, where he explored the relationship between archaeology and wellbeing through the LOGGIA project. His research focuses on public and digital archaeology, heritage and museum studies, with a particular interest in participatory practices. Francesco has experimented with archaeological storytelling through short videos, exhibitions, and digital prototypes and is committed to making archaeological heritage more inclusive and accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Clare is a Researcher in the Collections and Interpretation team at the Black Country Living Museum where she played as key role in the Museum’s major capital redevelopment project, ‘Forging Ahead' having previously worked at Wilberforce House, The Streetlife Transport Museum, Soho House & Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery.

Clare holds a BA (Hons) in History from the University of Hull and an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester. Born in the Black Country, she has extensive knowledge of the region and its heritage.

Trustee/Director

During my 37 years of work experience has exposed me to working in engineering, automotive and construction environments.  Dealing with large scale projects in historic buildings like St Pancras Station to building lithium-ion battery recycling plants.  This allows my varied skill set to work across various challenges to come up with the correct solution.