Jean Harrison
Jean was born and educated in Cheshire but came to Essex on her marriage in 1963. Since moving to Braintree in 1969, she has been involved in local life through her church and school connections.
After many years teaching at St Michael’s School, Braintree, Jean became headteacher at West Hanningfield School until her retirement, at which point she began a strong relationship with the Museum. She became a role play teacher in the Victorian classroom and has trained others for this and other school programmes.
Since 2004, Jean has been Chairman of the Friends of the Museum and also arranges their outings and tours both at home and abroad. She is a volunteer at the Warner Textile Archive and the Museum, and has been representing the Friends and volunteers on the Board of Trustees as an observer for the past two years. Jean also volunteers at the Chelmsford Diocesan Bookshop and as a member of the Patient Participation Group at her local GP surgery.
Demetra Lindsay
Demetra has lived in the Braintree district since 2004 when she moved to Castle Hedingham with her husband Jason. They have been running Hedingham Castle as a historic property open to the public and a wedding venue ever since. They have brought up their young family there.
She is an architect, and worked for a firm with a very modern style. She designed the Westminster Academy and elements of the Barbican Centre refurbishment. She has since renovated the Norman Hedingham Castle with Historic England and now does small projects locally. Some rooms in the house at Hedingham Castle were also done up by Warner Fabrics and used as a showcase for their 2007 Collection, and Demetra made some of the curtains and furnishings herself as she has always enjoyed sewing, dressmaking and fabric design.
She is also on the board of Visit Essex and an active member of the Historic Houses Association. She is passionate about our local heritage and education.
Katie Pavid
Katie is a writer and editor, specialising in digital engagement. After gaining a degree in Ancient History, she trained as a print journalist and worked for local newspapers across the country before moving into the heritage sector.
She spent six years in the digital department at The Natural History Museum in London leading editorial teams and has worked on a wide range of digital products and services. Now, she is leading Content Design and UX at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Katie grew up in Norfolk and is now based in north Essex. She is a passionate painter and outdoor swimmer.
Tom Power
A museum and heritage professional focusing on the built environment, Tom has been working in the sector since leaving school. He currently works as Head of Estates at the Design Museum in Kensington. He has held roles at the RAF Museum and the British Library.
Tom has a first-class degree in Real Estate Management as well as extensive experience in museum estate management, including landlord/tenant matters, business rates, utilities, capital planning, procurement and management of service contracts as well as capital project delivery.
He is an accredited member of the Museums Association, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and member of the Association of Independent Museums.
Outside of work Tom enjoys running, though his love of biscuits often necessitates longer distances than desired.
Tom Price
Tom worked as a corporate financier with a number of City firms for 30 years, advising growing businesses across a broad range of sectors, industries and geographies. He is also treasurer and arts adviser to Cockayne – Grants for the Arts, a foundation which funds performance and creative arts and a non-executive director of Glantus Holdings plc.
Tom has a degree in economics and history of art. His interests include twentieth century British painting and sculpture, architecture, gardens and food. Over the last 15 years he has been restoring a Tudor house and garden in North Essex.
Sarah Turner
Sarah is a museum and heritage professional who has worked in the sector for 17 years. She currently works for Heritage Collections at the Houses of Parliament. She was previously Collections Manager at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Canterbury Cathedral, as part of the ‘Canterbury Journey’ NHLF project and before that was the Curator at Bishop’s Stortford Museum in Hertfordshire.
Sarah has experience across subject disciplines, from interpretation, curation, collections management, to learning and participation, research and engagement, with knowledge of the latest standards of collections management in museums and archives. She has achieved museum accreditation and led on policy for archive accreditation.
Throughout her career, Sarah has worked to raise public awareness and to promote strategic development, research, and interpretation of collections, regularly collaborating with conservators, heritage professionals, academic specialists, and educators, as well as with those outside the sector, including external consultants and contractors, to create accessible heritage and an engaging and exciting visitor experience.
David Wisbey (Chair)
Born at William Julien Courtauld hospital in Braintree and schooled at St Michael’s Primary School and Notley High School, David returned to the District several years ago, after having lived and worked in London and overseas. He is a practising corporate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience and was, until recently, Chairman of Birkett Long LLP, one of the largest solicitors practices in Essex, where he is still a partner. In addition to his legal work, David is a trustee of two other charities based in the Chelmsford area.
David well remembers the industrial past of Braintree, with family and neighbours working at Lake & Elliot, Courtaulds, or Crittalls, and believes it is important for the District to commemorate its past. He is therefore looking forward to contributing to the recognition, preservation, and promotion of the District’s unique heritage and collections.
Trustee Vacancies
We are keen for our Trustees to provide a diverse community voice, encouragement, strategic direction and specialist support. The Trust aims to collect and promote the heritage of Braintree District and establish the Warner Textile Archive as a national design and manufacturing resource. Throughout the year we use our extensive textile and museum collections in research, education, events, exhibitions and commercial services all supported by a committed team of staff and volunteers for our local community, families and textile enthusiasts. We currently have the following Trustee vacancies:
Buildings
To provide advice on the care of the Victorian school buildings and site of Braintree Museum, owned by the Trust and the grade II listed mill building housing the Warner Textile Archive. Be part of the team working on the redevelopment of Braintree Museum to provide modern education, exhibition and event facilities at the heart of the town.
Collections & Exhibitions
To advocate an audience focus for the collections and exhibition programme and guide the digital journey of the Trust that own the nationally important Warner Textile Archive collection and manage the Braintree Museum collection both to full Arts Council England Accreditation Standard. Both the Archive and Museum are focusing on creating a digital catalogue of their collections to enable access by a more diverse audience.
Fundraising
To support the Trust achieve its strategic objectives by generating funds for the development of the Archive and Museum through donations and grants. The Trust is currently fundraising for the Braintree Museum Urban Garden for community benefit and Warner Textile Archive Collection Digitisation to enable income generation and research.
