Norton Priory Museum & Gardens is managed by the Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited, a charitable trust dedicated to preserving and providing access to the ruins, gardens and collections to as wide an audience as possible.
We seek to delight, educate and inspire visitors, and aim to offer the highest standards of customer care. Norton Priory Museum & Gardens does this through education and community programmes, research in partnership with universities, and through the delivery of family events all year round. By visiting Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, you become a part of our story and help to protect the unique objects and landscape that we look after.
The Trustees of Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited work together with the staff team at the museum to deliver a first-class visitor attraction, working in partnership with Halton Borough Council and other local organisations to look after the site and its collection for today’s visitors and future generations. As a charitable trust, our income generation is vital to being able to continue the work of the Trust and the Board of Trustees works to ensure the long-term future of the site. We always welcome enquiries from people of all ages and backgrounds who would like to be involved as a Trustee.
Chair of the Board
Lynn Pegler
Lynn Pegler is a Deputy Lieutenant of Cheshire, festival manager of the Weaver Words Literature Festival in Frodsham, vice chair of Halton Chamber of Commerce and governor of Riverside College. She brings an expertise in public relations and marketing, and runs Cheshire PR agency Pegler Communications. She is a former newspaper journalist and has previously been employed as a communications manager with the British Army, Central Government and British Waterways. She takes an active role in the arts and is an award-winning writer and director with Kingsley Players, a published poet and plays violin in a local orchestra.
Patron
Mike Amesbury MP
Mike Amesbury MP is delighted to be a Patron of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. As a long-time supporter, of Norton Priory, he was first elected Labour MP for Weaver Vale in 2017 and re-elected in 2019, representing a constituency that includes East Runcorn. Prior to becoming an MP, Mike enjoyed a career in and out of politics. He worked as a manager for the Connexions careers services, helping young people find employment. Mike also served as a local councillor on Manchester City Council, was an active trade unionist and an adviser to both Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham. As MP, he became a key member of Labour’s shadow ministerial team; scrutinising Government as Shadow Employment Minister, Shadow Housing and Planning Minister and, most recently, as Shadow Local Government Minister. He stepped down from the frontbench in June 2022 to concentrate on supporting his constituents through the cost-of-living crisis.
Board Members
Cllr. John Abbott
A social worker and local Councillor with a deep interest in history going back to school and university days. As a school governor he values Norton Priory as a key local resource for our children that can makes history real and relevant.
Christoph Brooke
Christoph Brooke, aka Sir Richard Brooke 12th Baronet of Norton, runs his own hotel business, Hillbrooke Hotels Ltd, based in the Midlands and the New Forest. He is also Chairman of a Scottish pub and hotel company. He joined as a trustee in 2020, continuing the long association with the Brooke family and the Norton Priory site. His main interests are in hospitality and gardens.
Cllr. Christopher Carlin
Chris Carlin lives locally and is an NHS Project Manager at Halton Clinical Commissioning group. He is also a local Councillor representing Halton Castle ward. Chris has worked in Halton's voluntary and community sector for 15 years, where he has held a number of positions including Community Development Officer, Programme Manager and Lead Health Engagement Officer. His experience covers both neighbourhood level grassroots work and also higher level borough-wide strategies. As part of the Well Halton team, Chris is well-placed to offer a local perspective and insight, alongside connections into the community and capacity building support.
Hayley Davies
Martin Morlidge
Deputy Director of Commercial Operations at the University of Chester and Commercial Operations Manager Thornton Science Park (TSP). This links the University of Chester and a range of local, regional and national business across the Northern Powerhouse. Bringing links with academia, local industry and funding bodies to key areas in Energy, Automotive, Environment and Advanced Manufacturing supporting them by giving access to equipment, scientific and business support. Holds a B.Sc. & M.Sc. in geology and experimental research techniques and a Ph.D. in experimental chemistry. Experience in the building and construction industry and in two scientific start-up companies. Interested in the science of artifacts in relation to material science and how this is disseminated to visitors.
Cllr. Paul Nolan
Local Councillor for twenty six years, and currently Executive Board Member for Culture and Leisure in Halton. Has a Degree in Medieval History and Archaeology. Interests include visiting battlefield sites in UK, France and Belgium.â€
Moira Stevenson
Retired as Head of Manchester City Galleries in 2011 after 38 years in the museum and heritage sector working in national, local authority and independent museums. She has expertise in museum design and capital development, project management, fundraising and business planning. Currently she is also a trustee of several organisations in the cultural and not for profit sectors.
Guy Thomas
Dual qualified Chartered Civil Engineer and Solicitor specialising in contentious and non-contentious construction and engineering law having worked within the construction industry on major civil engineering projects in the UK and Hong Kong. Â Recruited to the Trust from the Business in the Arts:North West Board Bank.
Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited - Trustee Recruitment
Norton Priory Museum Trust Limited, the independent charitable trust which operates Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, is seeking new Trustees to help Norton Priory Museum and Gardens to widen its appeal and to reach new, more diverse audiences.
Norton Priory has a proven track record as a visitor attraction and as a venue for education, visual and performing arts, including music, horticulture and ecology, mindfulness and meditation. The museum and its grounds are a popular wedding venue and we are developing our offering as a place for corporate meetings and conferences.
At present, the Trust has particular needs for trustees with skills and experience in financial management, HR, IT and fundraising. We would also particularly welcome people from the local area to ensure our future direction is shaped by community voice.
The Board recognises that there is a need to improve its own diversity and reach to better reflect the communities Norton Priory serves. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity further, please complete the enquiry form.
Registered in England | Company Number: 01232182 | Registered Charity Number: 504870