Forum Members

A list of forum members is given in alphabetical order in the summary table and then with a series of short descriptions giving greater detail about individuals. All members are giving up their own time as volunteers so please check the minutes of meetings for the information you require before contacting a member direct.

Alternatively, contact the forum administrator using this form.

Structure and remit

Council Representatives
Councillor Ray Ellis                  Hampshire County Council
Councillor Ben Walker             Southampton City Council

Independent Members

Council Representatives:
The forum covers the administrative areas of Hampshire County Council (except the New Forest area) and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils. Given the large rural component in Hampshire, it has been agreed that it would be appropriate for one Councillor to represent Hampshire County Council and that a second place alternates between Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council.

Councillor Ray Ellis – Hampshire County Council
Councillor Ellis has a keen interest in the countryside and is very supportive of and well-informed on the work of Hampshire's Countryside Service. He is Executive Member for Efficiency, Policy and Rural Policy and as such is also a member of Cabinet, the foremost committee of the County Council.  Born in Portsmouth and a Hampshire resident for much of his life, Councillor Ellis worked in biochemical engineering in the public sector, together with lecturing and educational posts, and then in world banking.  He has had extensive experience of  committee membership throughout his career and is also an active rotarian.

Councillor Ben Walker - Southampton City Council
Councillor Walker is Vice-Chair of Southampton City Council's Planning and Rights of Way panel and the Council's nominee to this Forum.


Independent Members:

David Ashcroft - Farming
(also conservation and grazing animals)
David farms 450 acres in the South Downs near Alton, including a large herd of suckler cows.  He has been Chairman of the National Farmers Union in Hampshire, and is interested in promoting the respectful use of the countryside together with an understanding of how our food and landscape is produced.  Also a member of the South Downs Access Forum, David contributes to discussion in a sensible and helpful way.

Jo Blackwell - Carriage-driving
(also dog walking and walking)
Jo has ridden and driven horses across Hampshire since she was a child, and carriage-driving has been her main hobby for the past 30 years.  As well as recreational carriage-driving, she has sucessfully competed in trials at county and national level.  Jo is a senior member of the British Driving Society, has been the National Council member for access and as a senior judge helps to train new judges.  As PA to the County Council's Chairman, she is an extremely capable, approachable person, an excellent communicator and has a practical outlook.

Sue Coles – Cycling
(also walking and tourism)
With long involvement in both cycling and rambling groups in the county, Sue formed 'Hampshire Cycling', an effective umbrella group of CTC  members across Hampshire, to facilitate the promotion of cycling with the county and district councils. Also a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for 20 years, Sue has been a very active Forum member, bringing reasoned advice based on a breadth and depth of experience.

Chris Cook - Farming and Riparian interests
(also walking and horse riding)
An active member of the National Farmers Union, Chris manages a large, modern, diverse estate with high conservation designations, situated alongside the Itchen Navigation.  Chris therefore has experience of managing water courses, fishing and water access - subjects which are regularly raised at meetings.  Chris has been the NFU representative on the Hampshire Biodiversity Steering Group, and has an appreciation of the views of user groups and of Hampshire County Council.  He regularly gives talks to groups and hosts farm visits.  Chris is a members of the Railway Ramblers and has an interest in horse riding.

Robin Lalonde – Land Agents
(also rural business, conservation)
With almost fifty years experience as a land agent managing many thousands of acres in Hampshire and neighbouring counties, Robin has a detailed understanding of all land management issues and extensive involvement in a large number of land and conservation groups at a local and national level. In recognition of this, he has been a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Panel of Agricultural Arbitrators for many years. A keen walker, Robin is a member of conservation groups such as the RSPB, CPRE, Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust and National Trust as well as land management associations such as local agricultural societies, CLA, NFU and notably is a key member of the Test and Itchen Association.

Christopher Langford – Land Agents
(also youth work, rural business, conservation)
Nominated representative of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Christopher manages over 20,000 acres of Hampshire estates, including one which is piloting innovative approaches to providing access with Countryside Service officers. He has extensive experience in managing Rights of Way and protected landscapes and takes a particular interest in land on the urban fringe. He is also a keen walker and guided walk leader and a cyclist.

Patrick Manuel - Motor Vehicles
(also climbing, dog walking, conservation)
Patrick is an active member of Wessex Hillrunners, including organising and taking part in numerous work days to help clear and maintain rights of way.  He has produced a comprehensive database of 'green lanes' in the south of the county, recording their status, condition and use.  Patrick actively promotes responsible use of these routes, and in support of this has developed a map skills training course for vehicle users. In his work for the Forum, Patrick liaises with many other vehicle groups, including LARA, TRF, AWDC and GLASS

Alan Marlow – Walking
(also motor vehicles, cycling, dogs)
Alan is an active member of the Ramblers Association both locally and at a county committee level and has worked on members’ behalf to improve access. He arranges a large walk programme in Hampshire, is a regular walk leader and involved in all aspects of the Ramblers' activities. Alan is regularly involved in training youngsters in countryside skills for the Duke of Edinburgh award and walks extensively in his spare time. He also has a long-held interest in motor vehicles and in cycling and so has a broad understanding of user interests.

Sue Montila – Equestrian, Youth work
Sue is from a farming family, regularly walks her dogs and has extensive experience of introducing youngsters to the countryside. As a horse owner, Sue formed a local bridleway group and has since negotiated new permissive routes and improvements to existing routes. Sue has rounded experience across most areas, a proven track record of securing sensible improvements to access and is an active Forum member.

Frank Pearson – Parish Councils
(Also walking, Winchester City Council)
Frank is a Swanmore Parish Councillor, and the nominee of Hampshire Association of Local (ie Parish and Town) Councils as 'a strong and consistent advocate for local councils and their communities'. He is also Portfolio Holder for Environment, Environmental Health and Community Safety at Winchester City Council, with particular interest in planning (including managing future development), biodiversity and the proposed South Downs National Park.  Frank has always lived in rural communities and is a retired teacher.

John Pritchard - Fisheries Management & Cycling
(also Parish Councils)
Previously a founder member of the Dorset LAF and a B&B owner, John now lives near Stockbridge and manages family riparian interests on the River Test.  Involved with the management and promotion of this fishing for many years, John has taken an active interest in conservation issues promoted by the Environment Agency and other bodies.  John is a keen cyclist and active member of several cycling groups and is also now footpath officer for his local Parish Council.

Phil Quill – Access to Water and Active Sports
(Also Outdoor Education)
Phil is a very experienced and active kayaker/canoeist, and has a background in outdoor education (currently Director of Calshot Activities Centre). He also enjoys mountain biking, orienteering and mountaineering, and coaches both canoeing and cycling. Phil has experience of managing conflicting activities through work at Woodmill, where fishing and canoeing co-existed.

Richard Sturgess – Disability interests
Richard is Access Officer for Gosport and Fareham Borough Councils. Disabled himself, Richard successfully ran a large and active access group in Havant which promoted equality of access to the built environment and the countryside. He has worked at a county level to promote disabled access and does so in a sensible and productive manner.

Debbie Tann - Land Management and Conservation
As Chief Executive of Hampshire and IOW Wildlife Trust, Debbie is responsible for the management of 6,500 acres in Hampshire.  Given that nearly all of these sites offer public access (principally walking and nature study), she has long experience in promoting responsible access and education opportunities on land which has significant conservation value.  Debbie is also aware of the views of the 26,000 members of the Trust.

Alan Taylor - Landmanaging and Walking
(also conservation volunteering)
Alan worked for Defra and MAFF for 30 years, retiring in 2005 as Head of Forestry, Soils and Upland Division.  He grew up in Portsmouth and then moved to Farnborough, where he is now a valued conservation volunteer, trustee and user forum member for Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership.  Alan also leads walks regularly and supports a wide variety of charities.  He brings a broad and measured understanding of landmanagers' views and of the workings of government, as well as local knowledge and practical experience.

Maggie Taylor - Dog Walking
Maggie first approached the Forum as a local dog walker concerned at changes to land management near Winchester.  The Forum agreed with the points she made and asked the County Council to commission research into the views, experiences and habits of dog walkers in the area, and those of the local landmanagers - the first such study in the country.  Maggie was instrumental in gaining input from dog walkers and as a member of the steering group has volunteered to help deliver the report's recommendations.  She is a self-employed consultant living in Winchester.

John Thackray - Broad ROW user
(incl walking, cycling, motor vehicles, dogs, conservation)
John is a retired civil engineer and corporate planner who worked at a senior level in environmental management for many years.  A member of the Ramblers, he has walked many of the long distance paths in Hampshire and leads walking holidays.  John is also a long-term cyclist and member of the CTC, as well as a variety of major user and conservation groups.  Involved at a regional and national level, he is interested in establishing links and exchanging information.

Nigel Wolstenholme - Farming and Rural Employment
(also Tourism)
Nigel owns and manages an estate near Stockbridge, and has diversified into vineyards, shooting and holiday lets, together employing 23 permanent and seasonal staff. He is an active member of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), sitting on the Hampshire Committee and the Rural Economy Sub-Committee. Nigel regularly assists the Countryside Service in managing the rights of way on his estate, and brings a pragmatic, down to earth approach to the Forum.