meet the trustees

Trenance Cottages Trustees

Behind the scenes, Trenance Cottages is run and maintained by a committee of hard working voluntary trustees who strive to ensure the Cottages are 'kept alive' and provide a resource for the local community and visitors to enjoy.

Jill Willmott - TCN Trustee and Project coordinator 25 years of experience in community projects as treasurer and chairman of various organisations, utilising public funds in the form of grants and local fund raising of up to £100,000. Ex Town Councilor and retired teacher.

Chris Blount - TCN Trustee and Secretary 30 years plus working in the broadcasting medium. Involved in publicising many community projects. Served as chairman of a school PTA and on a village PCC where fund-raising was a continuing requirement. For the Friends of Trenance Cottages, acted as chair of the events committee, helping to organise many community functions. Presently Secretary of the FOTC, and a Volunteer BBC Pensioner Visitor, helping to distribute financial assistance where necessary. Born in Newquay. Believes it should celebrate its heritage.

Stella Jenkin MBE - TCN TrusteeTrained as a shorthand typist and bookkeeper. Spent over 35 years in the hotel industry with her husband, running their own business. Director of Newquay Regeneration Forum. Chairman of Newquay Hospital League of Friends. Very much involved in saving the community hospitals in Cornwall when threatened with closure in 2000. Executive member of Newquay Old Cornwall Society and Committee member of Newquay in Bloom.

Ron Fullwood - TCN TrusteeWorked as a Financial Advisor with Pearl Assurance for 25 years. Served on the management committee of Newquay Cormorants Amateur Swimming Club for the past 35 years, first as Competition Secretary, then Chief Swimming Coach, followed by ten years as Chairman. Played football for Newquay and Cornwall County, and played squash for Newquay Squash Racket Teams. Serves on the Gannel Users Committee and also assists on the Newquay in Bloom Partnership Committee. For a number of years, Captain of Holywell Bay Golf Club.

Mavis Warman - TCN TrusteeBorn in Newquay and now retired. Involved in the original start of the Newquay Sports Centre. On the Executive and a past Chairman of Newquay Chamber of Commerce and the NATC. Director of Newquay Regeneration Forum. More than 30 years experience in retail and catering. Chairman of Newquay in Bloom.

GILL MOORE-Having spent a number of years in the Civil Service in the Midlands, my family moved to Newquay in 1990, following our purchase of a small hotel, which we ran for 8 years. During that time, I became involved in the local trade associations, both Hotels Association and Chamber of Commerce, and latterly the combined, Newquay Association of Commerce and Tourism (NCCT). Ruth Vincent and I set up Newquay for Excellence Training in 1994, and over the past 20 years, we have used our public sector background in both skills and training, to source funding, for local hospitality businesses, to develop their staff. I was one of the founding Directors of the Business Improvement District, BID and am currently Vice Chair of Newquay Regeneration Forum, and one of a number of their volunteers who organise the annual Newquay Fish Festival each September. When not working, I have a large garden to tend and dabble in Watercolours - although not very competently! As a newcomer to the Management Group, I am delighted to support the ongoing development of the cottages and can only congratulate the original members on their tremendous achievement to date.

David Graves -TCN Trustee . Worked for 40 years in the Chemical Industry as a Development Chemist for a number of large Chemical Companies before retiring to Newquay where both his son and daughter work. Currently running a small family business in the wedding and entertainment industry. First became involved with the Friends of Trenance Cottages in 2008 . Currently serves as Membership secretary for the Friends and Booking Secretary for the Cottage's Function room

Ruth Vincent -TCN Trustee After working for a number of years in the Civil Service in the Midlands, I moved to Cornwall in 1990 after purchasing a small hotel in Newquay. During this period I continued to work in the Civil Service whilst running the hotel, I gradually became more involved in community aspects involving Newquay and during the mid-90's and early 20's served on various committees and partnerships including Newquay Chamber, Newquay Regeneration Forum and as Chair of the East Cornwall Regeneration Board and also the Restormel Regeneration Partnership. I set up Newquay for Excellence Training with my business partner Gill Moore in 1994 and during this time we have actively worked within Newquay to secure funding for the training and development of local hospitality businesses and their staff.
I have also sat for a number of years on the Visit Cornwall Partnership and use this as an opportunity to highlight any imitative s in Newquay and also defend any perceived Negativity. Although a relative newcomer to Newquay I am passionate about the town and am happy to lend whatever support and help I can to the ongoing development of Trenance Cottages and salute all those who have been involved to get the cottages to their current stage.

Edward O'Dell - TCN Trustee. Always been self Employed, having run a variety of businesses since the age of 10! In 1969, he bought his first property consisting of 3 derelict Cottages which he renovated single-handed and extended to provide 3 letting cottages plus a cottage for himself and his wife to move into. Then went on to buy old barns and cottages to renovate and sell. Ted purchased and ran a 50-bed hotel for 9 years. Sold this in 1999 and started Manor Construction Cornwall Ltd, of which he is currently a Director, building houses and flats in Cornwall and Spain.

Valerie Collinson- I recently retired from forty years of teaching and having been involved with Trenance Heritage Cottages in a fund raising capacity over the years, was very pleased to become a trustee. I am interested in supporting the further growth of community projects based at this excellent heritage site.