The Farley Arts Trust Team?

Patron Julian Fellowes is the publicly acclaimed and award winning screenwriter, film director, actor and novelist best known in recent years for his original script for the award winning film, Gosford Park, and television period drama, Downton Abbey. From 1959 to 1988 he lived in Chiddingly village and through friendship with another resident, David Kingsley who was at the time Head of British Lion Films, first developed his interest in the film industry. While in Chiddingly he and his family became close friends with Lee Miller and Roland Penrose and he was a frequent visitor to Farley Farm House

Trustee Griselda Bear (Chair) is an exhibition curator, fundraiser and development strategist who has worked over many decades for a wide range of regional, national and international arts organisations. She has held senior posts where she was responsible for devising and managing new programmes and initiatives at the Canada House Gallery in London, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Royal Academy of Arts and Sadlers Wells. She now works freelance as an exhibition curator, arts consultant, advisor or Trustee for many arts organisations.

Trustee Antony Penrose (Founding Trustee) son of Roland Penrose and Lee Miller, is Director of the Lee Miller Archive and The Roland Penrose Collection which are housed at Farley Farm House where Antony grew up. He has written numerous books including two for children, created and performed two plays and lectured and broadcast extensively in the UK and in many other countries on the subject of his parents and their associates. He is also a curator of photography, filmmaker and artist.

Trustee Daniel Butcher (Treasurer) has lived in East Sussex for 20 years and is a Councillor for Eastbourne Borough Council. As a graduate of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music he toured widely nationally and internationally with many artists. His second career is as an accountant with a local accountancy firm.

Trustee Mark Barratt is a commercial lawyer working in a local firm of solicitors, Fitzhugh Gates, and has been based in Sussex for his whole working life. He has a keen interest in the arts and was involved in the formation of the Farley Arts Trust and is a former Chairman of the Lewes Festival. An exhibition of Lee Millers’ wartime photographs was featured during his chairmanship.

Trustee Tony Biggin has had a long and successful career as a composer with his works performed in prestigious venues across the UK, Europe and the USA and he also composes for television and radio. In a parallel career he uses his inspirational skills as a music teacher and university lecturer. He lives in Hailsham and has been director of East Sussex county music services encouraging creativity and participation by all

Trustee Rosemary Colebourn has extensive experience in secondary education at senior management level including the post of South East Co-ordinator for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust where she worked with Head Teachers across all arts specialisms running conferences and training events. She is a practising musician and enjoys keeping up with visual and performing arts events throughout the region

Special Advisor Miranda Pennington (Arts Education Manager - Farley Arts Trust Awards) is a graphic designer, artist and experienced Secondary School art teacher. She has worked for many years in art education developing opportunities for children in schools and the wider community. She founded and co-ordinates Sophie’s Postcard which is a charity that raises funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity from auctions of art works made on post cards by leading artists, designers and illustrators.

Special Advisor Samantha Martin (Arts Education Manager - Wonderfully Surreal)

Special Advisor Emma Donovan(Public Relations & Marketing Consultant)  supports the Trust through her extensive marketing and public relations experience in the arts and not-for-profit sector. Initially trained in Fine Art at UCA, Emma is a paper sculpture, installation artist and the Exhibitions Manager of Gallery North, Hailsham.