Jade Bower

Growing up in Cornwall, Jade developed a lifelong appreciation for the natural world and the landscapes that shape our communities. A Bentley resident for over 20 years, she now serves as the Chair of the Bentley Green project, where she focuses on creating a space that balances environmental recovery with a warm, welcoming community spirit.

Jade is a firm believer that we achieve our best work collaboratively. She is passionate about recognising the unique strengths each volunteer brings to the table and is dedicated to fostering a shared sense of stewardship for our local land. For Jade, this project is about being custodians for the future – building a thriving natural legacy that her neighbours and future generations can enjoy and protect for years to come.

Bruce Powell

Charmaine Higgins

Charmaine has called Bentley home for the past decade and is a firm believer in protecting the green spaces that sit at the heart of our village. Driven by a desire to contribute in a practical way rather than just “cheering from the sidelines,” she stepped into the role of Secretary to turn her passion for the community into tangible support.

With a keen interest in local initiatives, Charmaine’s focus is on ensuring Bentley Green is preserved and improved for everyone to enjoy. She is dedicated to the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our project moving forward, helping to secure a vibrant outdoor space for both current residents and those who will call Bentley home in the years to come.

Simon Slater

Simon has been a Bentley resident for over 20 years, drawn to the village’s active community and semi-rural charm. Having recently moved into a smaller home set within an old orchard, he and his wife are currently busy planting a variety of fruit and specimen trees for future generations to enjoy.

As our Community Orchard Lead, Simon is eager to use his hands-on experience to help create a rich, varied open space for the village. He is particularly passionate about building a diverse environment that not only provides fresh produce but also serves as a hub for the community to get stuck in, share skills, and maintain the land together.

Gordon Brookside

Gordon recently moved to Bentley following 40 years in Surrey, where he enjoyed a career as a solicitor before retiring in 2010. For the last decade, he served as Chairman of the Surrey Hills Society, where he was instrumental in growing their volunteer conservation programs.

While Gordon modestly claims not to be an expert ecologist, he brings a wealth of practical conservation experience and a lifelong passion for the outdoors.

A keen walker and photographer, he is excited to apply his background to the Bentley Green project. Gordon is particularly interested in learning alongside others and helping to create a space where both the local wildlife and the village community can thrive together.

Jane Woodyer

Jane is our Communications Lead and has volunteered to support the Grant Application process as a shared role. We are looking for someone to help her, so if you are interested please contact bentleywildlife@gmail.com.

The Grant Application Lead focuses specifically on identifying and applying for grant funding.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching relevant grants and funding opportunities
• Preparing and submitting grant applications
• Coordinating required supporting information from the steering group
• Working with the Communications Lead to write and design applications
• Monitoring grant deadlines and reporting requirements
• Liaising with funders where necessary

The Grant Application Lead plays a key role in securing funding to support project development.

John Mott

Jane Woodyer

Jane has lived in Bentley for nearly a decade and brings a professional background in marketing and copywriting to the team. A founding member of the Bentley Wildlife group, she is a passionate advocate for conservation and nature recovery – with a particular interest in wildlife gardening (otherwise known as the art of the perfectly messy, low-maintenance garden).

When she isn’t helping promote events, fundraising activities or writing grant applications for Bentley Green, Jane can usually be found exploring the local countryside with her husband and their dogs. 

Jo Ibbotson

Jade Bower & Lucy Eyles

Jade is also our Chair, please see her bio above.

The Events Lead focuses specifically on scheduling seasonal events and activities.

Responsibilities include:

• Researching and planning a calendar of events through the year
• Identifying relevant national and worldwide campaigns – natural environment & fruit
• Working with fundraising and communications leads to promote events 
• Organising a mixture of events that may appeal to a broad spectrum of people
• Setting up a series of regular, recurring events 
• Ensuring safe delivery of events by assessing and mitigating risks 
• Ensuring safeguarding during events, eg. DBS checks and access to welfare facilities
• Surveying feedback from event attendance and implementing continuous improvement

Brigid Fice