GOVERNANCE

How we manage the charity

HOW THE CHARITY IS GOVERNED

The Russet Cider Trail CIO is a registered charity established to guide, promote and support the creation of a safe, accessible greenway for public benefit. The charity is governed by its trustees, who are responsible for ensuring that the organisation acts in line with its charitable objects, manages funds responsibly, works transparently, and makes decisions in the best interests of the communities the trail is intended to serve.

  • Registered charity name: The Russet Cider Trail CIO
  • Registered charity number: 1214142
  • Charity type: Charitable Incorporated Organisation
  • Registered: 16 July 2025
  • Area of benefit: Somerset and surrounding areas
  • Charity Commission listing: “View our public charity record”

ABOUT THE CHARITY

Our charitable purpose
The charity exists to promote facilities for recreation, leisure, health and community benefit, particularly for people who may need such facilities because of youth, age, disability, financial hardship, social circumstances, or for the wider public good.

How decisions are made
Trustees meet regularly to review progress, consider risks, approve expenditure and make key decisions about the development of the trail. Where specialist input is required, the charity seeks advice from appropriately qualified professionals, including in relation to planning, engineering, ecology, land, accessibility, legal matters and public consultation.

Financial stewardship

Funds raised by the charity are used to support the responsible development of the project, including administration, communications, community engagement, surveys, professional advice, masterplanning, engineering input and legal work. Trustees are responsible for ensuring that charitable funds are used only for appropriate purposes and that spending decisions are properly recorded.

Conflicts of interest

Trustees are required to declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Where a conflict arises, the affected trustee will not take part in decisions where their personal, professional or financial interests could influence, or appear to influence, the charity’s judgement.

Community accountability

The trail can only succeed with local support. The charity is committed to listening to residents, landowners, parish councils, community groups, local businesses and public bodies as the project develops. Community consultation, evidence gathering and transparent communication will form an important part of the charity’s work.

Project governance

The trustees oversee the project at a strategic level. Specific workstreams may be created for route development, landowner engagement, fundraising, community consultation, communications and professional advice. This allows the charity to progress the trail in an organised way while ensuring that key decisions remain accountable to the board of trustees.

TRUSTEES

Richard Brooksbank – Chairman

As a family man with three grown up children and 4 grandchildren, Richard is passionate about enabling young families and, indeed, people of all ages to cycle away from traffic, in a safe and natural environment that will engender a love of the outdoors and the beautiful Somerset countryside.

A keen walker and cyclist, based in Ash Priors with his family for the past 22 years, Richard is passionate about providing safe trails for all abilities and ages.

Tony Hampson – Secretary

For many years I have been a very enthusiastic runner, in particular running off road. In recent years I have focussed more on walking, the gym and having adventures on my folding bike.

Professionally I worked mainly in the charitable sector managing and delivering activities across the age ranges, with a focus on health and well-being, exercise and returning people to employment. Through this I have seen the benefits of being active and having of somewhere safe to enjoy within easy reach.

Annette Law – Treasurer

Annette is a committed supporter of outdoor exercise, and its positive impact on health, mobility and well being and is herself an active trail runner, walker, and outdoor swimmer. 

With a background in teaching and administration, she brings a focus on inclusion, supporting the charity’s work with practical expertise and community spirit.

Having previously served locally, in pre-school and school settings in officer and governor roles, she currently has the responsibility of Treasurer within the charity. 

Simon Milton

Simon has lived in Somerset for 15 years and is passionate about sustainable travel and community-led projects. As founder and CEO of a long-established digital agency, he brings strategic, technical, and organisational expertise to the charity.

A regular cyclist and walker, he is keen to see safe, accessible routes linking local villages and encouraging active, low-impact travel for all ages and abilities.

Ian Myers

Ian has lived in Bishops Lydeard since 1998 and was Chair of Quantock Eco. With others he was involved with the original cycling group and helped raised money for the initial feasibility study for a cycle path.

He is a keen environmentalist and cyclist and helps the new group in any way he can. Like many he recognised the importance of promoting active travel.    

David Winter

David is a lifelong resident of Bishops Lydeard, having lived in the village for 80 years. Educated in Taunton, he joined the Somerset Constabulary as a Police Cadet at the age of 17, becoming a Police Constable at 19 and serving until his retirement at 52.

Since retiring, he has farmed cider apples and kept bees, and remains a keen cyclist. He is divorced and has two sons.

Andy Winterbottom

Andy is a lifelong cyclist who has good contact and engagement with local cycling groups.  Having spent many years cycling between Bishops Lydeard and Taunton along the busy A358, he fully appreciates the need for a safe cycling and walking route. 

With a career in technical roles in Hydrography, he brings his sound analysis and pragmatic approach to the charity.