Team work
We are run by a welcoming and friendly team of volunteers who are jointly responsible for the day-to-day running of the Society and its activities. This group is officially called our Committee – but ‘team’ is fine.
Consisting of four Executive roles (Chair, Vice Chair, Honorary Treasurer, and Honorary Secretary), and a group of general members, the team shares tasks and responsibilities necessary to keep the Society ticking over – our Trustees are team members. What each of us does is entirely up to us: our skillset, availability, and subject interests.
Any member of the Society may volunteer to join the team – we encourage and welcome this every year! Individuals can nominate themselves and stand to be ‘elected’ at our AGM.
We have a long history of inclusivity, and warmly welcome and value diversity at all levels. We actively appeal seek to appeal to everyone, and want to remove barriers which may prevent people currently under-represented from volunteering or engaging with decision-making in our shared community. Being more civic is for everyone.
what’s involved?
We hold a meeting together, usually in a local pub, once a month to go through items on the agenda. Our meetings are minuted, and usually last a maximum of two hours. They do not ‘drag on’ – there’s usually more to discuss than there is time!
We share tasks between us, often in smaller ‘working groups’ e.g Planning, LHL, and Events all have a group.
Team members volunteer their time, and so the Society takes great care to ensure that no one is overburdened. Each of us only does what we can, nothing more. Committee members often have their own projects on the go too, and find the mutual support and sharing of ideas being a team member both helpful and valuable for those projects too. The Civic Society is always keen to bolster and support local grass roots projects; we find it brings much mutual benefit.
We’re fortunate to be have been able to continue the Society’s tradition of a broad spectrum of experience and skill in the team each year, as in previous years. But we’re not The Experts. We always appreciate member participation: help, advice and constructive criticism or helpful suggestions are very welcome indeed!
Be kind!
All team members are volunteers. They have families, jobs, and commitments outside the Society to work around. Your patience is appreciated.
want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about what’s involved in volunteering, and being in a committee, Charity Excellence have some great free resources, which you can access here (requires signing up). For more information about what is involved in Charity committees, or being a Trustee – please see the Government’s guidance information. Alternatively, just get in touch for a chat.
Contact Us
hello@beestoncivicsociety.org.uk
Our executive team is…
Jeanie O’shea
CHAIR + Trustee
Beeston Street Art | Light Night
Initially summing herself up as merely “Jean’s a singer (dadadadee), she plans public-art-attractions while she plays pianoooooo…” Jeanie’s actually been a Committee member since 2017, when she was invited to join the Society for her keen interest in high street regeneration.
A professional singer songwriter and bandleader, Jeanie also brings with her a background in event management – and founded our Beeston Street Art, Beeston Light Night, and #TheBeestonShowcase projects to successfully promote our town as a worthy destination, and attract investment.
Gary Smerdon-White
Hon. Treasurer + trustee
Lhl | planning
Gary’s career in the electricity industry spans thirty years, in a number of senior change and operational management roles. Since 2000 he’s worked as a consultant in development, IT and transport projects and in the not for profit sector, including: Greater Nottingham Partnership, Profile Nottingham, Experience Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Contemporary, Greater Nottingham Transport Partnership, and Greater Nottingham NHS LIFT.
More recently Gary been promoting sustainable and active travel asExecutive Chair and then CEO of the Big Wheel, RideWise and Sustainable Travel Collective charity before retiring in 2018. He lives in Attenborough, and has been a member since 2018.
Mervyn Brown
Hon. Secretary + Trustee
Events
Fundamentally an educationalist, Mervyn has worked across, higher, further, and secondary education sectors. He has held leadership roles across a multitude of organisations; ranging from community, social, and political – through to business, commerce, trade and professional.
In terms of business, he has been involved at senior level in a diversity of commercial undertakings, together with social and community-based enterprises; – from Design, Print and Auto Bodyshop – through to safety, workwear, and wine – ultimately to construction and property.
Current activities include advising and mentoring start-ups, micro and developing businesses. He has recently completed a long-term involvement with NTU as an enterprise and entrepreneurship advisor. Along with other family members, Mervyn runs a small investment property portfolio.
General members are…
Dr Clyde Davies
Clyde’s background is science and IT, he now works at the University of Nottingham in IT analysis and project management.
Coming to Beeston, from Swansea, as a research student he has lived here most of his adult life. Clyde says “volunteering for the Society allows me to put something back into the community which I have grown to love. I look forward to using my skills outside the workplace, to help the Society grow and prosper”.
Tamar Feast
Trustee
design | Membership | lady plaques
Tamar’s background is in graphic arts. A digital printer and graphic designer for the School of Art & Design at NTU for more than twenty years. She changed careers to begin running her own creative planting design business, Hortulus, in 2019, creating wildlife friendly planting schemes, and wild floristry arrangements. She still does some freelance design work as side hustle. A Trustee since 2018, Tamar’s our volunteer graphic designer, membership secretary, and social media bod. She’s lived in Beeston since 2000, and founded the Lady Plaques scheme to have local women on plaques too.
Dr Jane Harvey
Events | Heritage | community
Dr Stefan Kruczkowski
Urban Design | Planning
Laura Prescott
Events | Heritage | community
Mike Spencer
Heritage | Environment | Planning
Sue Spencer
Environment | energy | Planning
Christy Tang
Christy moved from Hong Kong to Beeston almost three years ago. She has worked in the banking customer service industry for over ten years. She is co-founder of Community Interest Company (CIC) Hong Kong Notts (HKN) which started in August 2022. She helps HongKongers integrate into the community, and has organised various events and encouraged cultural sharing.
Christy is a dedicated volunteer, and enjoys working with other volunteers to make the community better.
Chryse Tinsley
Trustee
Environment | LHL | Planning
Chryse has lived locally for almost thirty years. Professionally, she’s a landscape architect most recently at Leicester City, and Design Midlands – studied Architecture first, and more recently Environmental Management. Chryse was the first ever National Suds Champion (“It’s about drainage not bubbles. And it matters re: Beeston”); has been a tree warden in the past. Chryse is also an illustrator, and is currently doing industrial buildings of Beeston. She has given great talks for the Society in the past and is a member of the judging panel for our Design Awards.
Beeston Civic Society 