Sue Bright Trustee since 2017 and Vice Chair Expand I have worked in or on the edge of the valley since 1985 when I remember selling bags of abrasive paper and cloth to Tim Kendal from 36 Lime Street. I moved to ERB Services/Newcastle Autocentre in 1996 to teach my mother how to do accounts in Sage and have worked in their accounts department since then – becoming a shareholder last year. In 2005, as vice-chair of the Ouseburn Business Forum I was invited to coordinate Ouseburn Festival during the Tall Ships Race and have continued to be involved in the festival, helping to shaping it into a registered charity in 2008. I was vice-chair of Ouseburn Management Board until its demise in 2011 when some of the members formed Ouseburn Futures in order to continue the valuable and never-ending work of regenerating this valley that means so much to all of us, particularly those that get to work and play here most days – and now the growing number of people that get to live here too. My roots are deep within the Ouseburn Valley – dating back to the 1850s when my paternal great, great grandfather lived in Ouseburn as a Chelsea Out-Pensioner and his daughter was one of the first to marry at St Dominic’s Priory. My maternal grandfather lived just up the road in Heaton Park Road in the 1920s where my Mother was born in the flat above the shop on Cardigan Terrace. Passionate about heritage, I am a dedicated genealogist and local history writer with a degree in Information and Library Management and a teaching qualification in Further Education. Author of ‘Bridging the Ouseburn’ and ’30 years of Regeneration’, I am currently working on a history of The Biscuit Factory.
Dale Bolland Trustee since 2017 Expand One way or another I've been involved with the ebbs and flows of lovely Ouseburn since the mid 80s - and it remains unfinished business for me as it does for many people in the valley I worked for Newcastle City Council as a planner and economic development officer since 1974 - and for the last 20 years mainly on Ouseburn - 5 years ago I left the Council and have been part of Ouseburn Futures since then There is still much to do in Ouseburn - it is a special place - I hope I can contribute over the next few years as part of Ouseburn Trust
Geoff Kell Founder Trustee Expand I am a founder member of the Ouseburn Trust and have been a director/board member since its establishment getting on for twenty years ago. I remain passionate about the Valley and am convinced that active Trust membership is the best way to input into this special place. My experience of engaging local people with urban development issues began with the development of the Quayside in the late 80s. Even after so many years of involvement with the Trust there is always something new to keep things interesting and make me feel useful. At present it is the new Heritage initiative with new faces taking part bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. I have been involved in various creative writing projects in Newcastle (inc. Newcastle Carers Centre, English Heritage, Kingston Park Writers) and also work as a ghost-writer and editor. I am also a hands-on trustee for a Shieldfield-based charity for older people and people with disabilities which broadens my understanding of the wider area and its communities.
Myra Giesen Trustee since 2012 Expand Myra has worked in heritage management for many years, first as an archaeologist and later as a senior cultural resource manager for the US federal government. Myra has a PhD in Anthropology, with a specialisation bioarchaeology. She moved to the North East in 2006, and since her arrival, she has taught on the Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies programmes at Newcastle University. She also has delivered sessions in archaeology/history within the North East Centre for Lifelong Learning before its recent closure. She has served as a Committee member and Newsletter Editor for the Council of British Archaeology North since 2007. Myra was drawn to the Valley’s rich heritage, so was very pleased to join the Board in 2012 to help promote and sustain interest in the Valley’s heritage.
Dave Cross Trustee Expand I’ve been working in the Ouseburn since 1990, with the commercial business Midnight Electronics and the publicly funded music development agency Generator which has since re-located into offices above the Cluny. I have developed a passionate fondness for the area’s green spaces, industrial heritage and cultural renaissance, in addition to the attraction of its pubs and live music. Having active links with public sector regeneration work and community engagement, I am eager to see the Trust’s objectives for the Ouseburn’s regeneration and heritage being implemented and developed, particularly thanks to its locally-driven management. I have the benefit of experience of the national networking opportunities created by harnessing the interests of Arts Councils and other agencies, which developed into the UK-wide META network and later evolved into the Music Industries Development Association and following on from which, I became an Executive and Trustee of the National Music Council. My personal history in the industry began with small scale arts promotions in the late 1960s and regular hands-on work with live and broadcast music, local and national theatre and in event production. Having directly managed small businesses with personal responsibility for staff, IT, accounts and admin I have also been pleased to assist in the planning, budgeting, management and statutory permissions, particularly Licensing, attached to a range of projects, from community festivals to regional flagship attractions and events, in the public and private sectors. I continue to provide audio and licensing services for events and to provide IT and Internet hosting facilities. I currently serve as Trustee for four Charitable organisations, including the groups responsible for the local Jesmond Festival and Ouseburn Festival. I have been Director of a few Companies, and enjoyed a period on the Management Committee of the now-legendary Newcastle music venue, Riverside; have been a drama advisor to Northern Arts and a music advisor to the Arts Council of England. My preferred style of work is a cooperative approach to working with colleagues, with Politicians, policymakers, funders and practitioners, and in taking a balanced approach between realism and optimism in budgeting and business planning. I enjoy a balance between a hands-on approach to tasks and a strategic detachment. I also exploit some experience in specific areas of Law including advocacy in Licensing, acoustics as applied to Noise and Environmental Health, in Railway Law, and in Copyrights. I’m delighted to be working with the team at the Ouseburn Trust and expect to see the Trust remaining centre stage in the continuing unfolding of the Ouseburn’s exciting tale of development.
Paul Murphy Trustee since 2015 Expand I have a real interest in the valley and am keen to promote this unique location as a real asset to the city, I have a property background that fits well with the skills required to develop and promote the offer and deliver real change. I already have a good knowledge of the Ouseburn as I act for clients who own property in the valley.
Alex Slack Trustee since 2019 Expand Having lived and worked in Newcastle for over a decade I have developed a love for the Ouseburn valley. The area epitomises so much of what I love about our great City, people, history, culture, creativity, industry and an overwhelming sense of inclusivity. Professionally I am currently employed to deliver the regeneration of The Bigg Market, a forgotten jewel in Newcastle’s historic centre. Such a project requires me to have a broad skillset which includes but is not limited to, robust budgetary control, understanding of heritage and conservation, establishing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships. Working for the City Centre BID organisation has given me fantastic exposure to a wide variety of issues that impact upon the urban environment. Alongside my current role I sit on the recently formed Newcastle Gateshead Heritage Forum and have established some excellent working relationships with heritage organisations throughout the region. A significant part of my career to date has been spent managing a large property portfolio and having responsibility for, lease renewals, landlord and tenant issues, service charges and maintenance all in accordance with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors best practices. I have a great deal of admiration for work of the Trust and am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the protection, preservation and future prosperity of the Ouseburn Valley.