The Trust
Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust (TOCT) is a registered charity (1159578) and a registered company (08908950). It was established as a Land Preservation Trust in 2014 with the aim of “saving the Martyrs’ legacy” by restoring the historic Old Chapel at Tolpuddle.
Today, TOCT is governed by a Board of Trustees and Directors who are responsible for the charity’s strategic direction, governance and stewardship. The Trust holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is open to all, providing an opportunity to learn about our work, celebrate our achievements and hear about our future plans.
Our charitable purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the Tolpuddle Old Chapel for the benefit of the public. We are committed to ensuring this important historic building is cared for, accessible and sustainably managed as a place of heritage, learning, community activity and reflection.
Our vision is to establish Tolpuddle Old Chapel as a building of national historical significance and a welcoming venue that serves both local communities and visitors from across the UK and beyond.
Our mission is to preserve and encourage the sustainable use of Tolpuddle Old Chapel as a valued local and national asset, inspiring current and future generations through its unique history, heritage and community role.
Trustees of the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust
Colin Brady
Appointed Trustee 30th April 2025, appointed Chair of the Board 18th June 2025.
Colin Brady, originally from Ireland, lived in Dorset for twenty years where he worked alongside churches and charities to strengthen communities and develop responses to social need including food poverty, homelessness and inequality.
He has been an adviser to several grant-making trusts and now works in Oxford where he continues to enjoy making connections between potential donors and the people who may be able to make a lasting difference in the world.
Frances Cambrook
Appointed 15th June 2023
Frances has lived and worked in Dorset for over thirty years, settling in Tolpuddle in 2004. After a varied career in mainstream higher education including Bournemouth University and Foundation Degree Forward, she started her own business as a higher education consultant in 2011, specialising in work-based education and training.
Frances has worked with clients across many business sectors, but found her niche working to support a partnership of Anglican cathedrals in developing specialist in-house training for cathedral stonemasons. This aligned perfectly with her interest in the built heritage, conservation and the preservation of traditional craft skills, and what started as a short project with an informal group has now grown into an education charity funding and delivering training to thirteen English cathedrals including St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey.
Her interest in supporting the work of TOCT revolves around the element that unites the restored chapel and cathedrals, namely traditional building craft skills. Frances says, ‘the village is so fortunate to have such a unique building in its midst, but it couldn’t have been conserved and restored as it is has been without the traditional skills of the masons and other craftspeople who worked on it, and their understanding of the techniques and materials used by the Dorset labourers who originally built it. It is vital that these skills are retained, and it is a privilege to be able to play a part in the revival of the Tolpuddle Old Chapel which is both a national and international asset.’
Hannah Jefferson
Appointed 15th June 2023
Hannah brings with her over 15 years’ experience in the heritage sector, having worked with the National Trust in a variety of roles including Youth Volunteering, Visitor Experience and in her current role of General Manager running a dispersed team who care for 37 NT sites in Dorset.
Her commercial experience began at Intel where she looked after major corporate clients and more recently with her husband with the establishment of a successful farming, farm shop and campsite business which they run day to day.
Hannah says, ‘I am passionate about small and unique buildings and the big stories they have to tell. With the completion of the Old Chapel restoration, following many years of committed hard work from so many, I am absolutely delighted to be joining the team of trustees and volunteers to help Tolpuddle Old Chapel put down strong financial roots and develop its potential as both a bookable venue, but also as a pivotal part in the story of Tolpuddle Labourers.’
Robert Patterson
Appointed October 2024
Robert Patterson is a retired accountant and has occupied senior and Directorial positions in the public sector. He was a Director in Barnado’s UK between 2005 – 2015.
Robert has an interest in heritage transport and is a volunteer on the Swanage Railway, being Chair of the Company and Commercial Director between 2022 – 2024.
Robert moved to Tolpuddle in 2023 and is a Parish Councillor.
Company Secretary
Ian Cambrook
Appointed October 2024
Ian Cambrook MBE brings a wealth of leadership, governance and strategic experience to his role as Company Secretary for TOCT. A former senior officer in the Royal Air Force, he has built a distinguished career supporting business enterprise, economic regeneration and community development across Dorset. As Manager of the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Economic Partnership (BDPEP), business owner, Chair of Wessex Enterprise Ltd and an Ambassador for Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ian has worked extensively with businesses, local authorities and community organisations to foster collaboration and create lasting economic and social impact. Awarded an MBE for services to defence, he is recognised for his integrity, sound judgement and collaborative approach. Ian is passionate about good governance and supporting TOCT’s mission to deliver lasting benefits for the communities it serves.
Heritage Ambassador for TOCT
Andrew McCarthy – Founder of Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust and Chair 2014 -2023
Andrew grew up and was educated in St Albans. In the seventies and eighties he taught Environmental Science in Hertfordshire. Following educational research at The University of East Anglia he spent the last 15 years of his career as Head of Science at a secondary school for children with special educational needs in Stevenage.
In 2006 Andrew and his wife moved to Tolpuddle and he became interested in the former Methodist chapel after reading a letter in the Blackmore Vale magazine. For over nine years, Andrew guided the trustees and volunteers through the complex and challenging process of founding Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust as a registered charity/Building Preservation Society and then purchasing the building and site.
He coordinated two community surveys, the recruitment of new trustee and volunteers, the appointment of the architect, the preparation of our planning application, sourcing the required funding and working with two project managers and our contractors to see the Old Chapel finally renovated and open to the public. Andrew retired as Chair in July 2023 and now works as ‘Heritage Ambassador’ for the Trust.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Their enthusiasm, dedication and generosity help bring TOCT’s work to life, creating a warm welcome for visitors and supporting our activities throughout the year.
From greeting guests and sharing the story of the Old Chapel to assisting with events and behind-the-scenes tasks, our volunteers contribute a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience. They play an invaluable role in helping us care for the Old Chapel, ensuring this special place is preserved, enjoyed and appreciated by current and future generations.
Volunteering with TOCT is also an opportunity to meet new people, develop skills, build confidence and become part of a friendly team united by a shared commitment to the Old Chapel and its community. We are always keen to welcome new volunteers, so find out more here if you are interested in joining the team.
We are incredibly grateful to every one of our volunteers. Their time, energy and passion make a lasting difference, enabling TOCT to continue providing inspiring heritage, cultural and educational experiences for all.
