01702 965959
enquiries@garonparkcic.com
Garon Park Community Interest Company (GP CIC)
Our mission is one of Levelling Up – to Connect Community – by providing destination quality facilities for all.
Our Business Plan is to multi-hire those quality facilities to partner organisations and local community groups, with the aim of making Garon Park a long term, sustainable ‘go to’ destination for team sport and community wellbeing, where local people can flourish in a safe, secure and well-run environment.
Our Focus is Youth – our vision is to offer local youth guided pathways through our environment, where they have a voice and influence; feel safe and confident; and able to learn and flourish surrounded by nature. However, we operate beyond Youth supporting the whole community and their wellbeing.
Our Agenda is Conservation – providing a managed environment where people, plants, birds and native animals and invertebrates co habit the Park for the mutual benefit.
Our Objectives are linked to fostering Community Resilience by promoting sustainable lifestyle, sport, health and wellbeing activities and fill major gaps in the local provision, by providing:
Every member of the Board of Garon Park CIC is a local volunteer who has skills in the portfolio they oversee and everyone gives their time for free to further the aims of the CIC and ensure it is organised to meet its published aims and the organisation is properly run
Current board roles:
Entrepreneur / Philanthropist
Clive was born in St Lukes Ward and has lived in Southend all of his life. Clive attended Southend High for Boys and Westminster College and is qualified in business management and is Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality FIH. Clive has an entrepreneurial background and started his own hospitality company in 1984, which he sold in 2004.
In 2007 Clive started Livingstone Tanzania Trust a poverty alleviation charity in Tanzania which concentrates on children and education and to date have completely built / refurbished 9 schools and bought feeding, hygiene and menstrual programmes to the whole district – 35 schools – over 22,500 primary students a day. (www.livingstonetanzaniatrust.com).
In 2013 Clive had the idea to start a community health and wellbeing programme at Garon Park and with the help of Philip Tolhurst of Norman Garon Trust the first steps were taken in 2014
Clive is the day-to-day site Director
Dan Feist holds the position of General Manager for Essex Cricket.
He oversees the day-to-day running of the Club, since moving from his previous role as Deputy Chief Executive.
During his time in his previous role Dan looked after the development of Chelmsford as a regional hub for Cricket and Community engagement and enhancement. As well as guiding the Essex Cricket family, in playing its key part in the ECB drive to become the most inclusive team sport.
Duncan studied law at Kingston University, London before completing his Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. He joined Jefferies Solicitors Essex as a trainee solicitor in 2007 and qualified into our Litigation Department in 2009.
Duncan undertakes a wide range of commercial litigation and dispute resolution work, including mediation and appearing in Court. He regularly deals with shareholder and partnership disputes, insolvency litigation including directors’ disqualification proceedings and professional negligence actions. Duncan also undertakes debt recovery and enforcement claims.
In addition, Duncan has particular experience of dealing with property and land disputes and practices all aspects of landlord and tenant litigation, from high-value property litigation to residential possession claims.
Duncan also frequently works on non-contentious commercial matters, including developing, drafting and negotiating general business to business agreements, partnership agreements, trading terms and conditions (including websites), loan documents, shareholder and cross option agreements.
In his spare time Duncan enjoys going to see live music. He also plays golf. Badly.
Educator / Third sector ‘leadership’ specialist
Robin is best known in the Southend community for his leadership role across three local schools since 1994, culminating with 17 years (2007–24) as Headteacher at Southend High School for Boys. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics (Oxford University), a Masters degree in educational theory (Cambridge University) and was awarded a doctorate (Cambridge University in collaboration with UCLA) in 2007 for pioneering research into online learning. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Since 2001, Robin has held multiple national roles in educational/organisational leadership including: member, then chair, of the National Teacher Research Panel (2003-16); research specialist for the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information Centre (2001–07); member of the National Council of the Association of Managers in Education (2010-18); member, then national president, of the Executive Committee of the National Education Union (NEU), formerly Association of Teachers and Lecturers (2005-22); and was a founding member of the Chartered College of Teaching, subsequently nominated as a founding fellow (2017).
He continues to serve as a Patron of the Institute of School Business Leadership (2017-); a Trustee of the NEU Pension Scheme (2012-); and represents school leaders, nationally, as a board member of the Ethical Leadership Alliance (2023-).
Robin applies his professional expertise and understanding to help create the circumstances in which “all may thrive”, especially those with more limited social/economic opportunities.
We are indebted to those members who went before and their names are listed below as recognition of their work and a show of gratitude from current members:
Patrick Tolhurst Founder Member – Sept 2014 to December 2018 – Solicitor
Peter Butler – Member – January 2016 to November 2021 – Philanthropist / Businessman
Derek Bowden – Member – January 2016 to February 2019 – Chief Exec Essex Cricket
Dennis Travell – Member – October 2018 – October 2021 – Solicitor
A Theory of Change framework to align wellbeing, conservation, and youth engagement as drivers for a resilient community around Garon Park.
1. Vision and Goals
• Goal: To enhance community resilience, wellbeing, and conservation efforts in Southend and Rochford by fostering spaces and programs that support mental and physical health, youth engagement, and environmental stewardship.
2. Inputs
• Garon Park Assets: Utilise the natural capital assets of Garon Park (green spaces, facilities etc.) to create a positive environment.
• Community Resources: Volunteers, support groups (e.g. community drop-in sessions), community events, community activities (e.g. cross-country courses, fun runs etc.)
• Partners: Collaborate with local agencies, partner organisations, health organisations, schools, youth groups, conservation organisations and local community minded businesses.
• Funding, Sponsorship and Staff: Secure and create resources for programmes and staffing to maintain ongoing initiatives.
3. Activities
• Wellbeing Programmes: Offer programmes focused on mental and physical health, such as mindfulness, fitness classes, nature walks, arts and craft courses and accessible health services, which lessen anxiety and build confidence.
• Youth Engagement: Develop activities for youth: Life skills; leadership programmes; skill-building workshops, sports, and educational conservation projects.
• Community Conservation Initiatives: Run volunteer-led projects on biodiversity, green space conservation, and sustainable practices (e.g. community gardens and community planting initiatives).
• Education and Awareness: Conduct workshops and seminars on health, productivity, and environmental conservation for community members.
• Citizen Science: Engage the community in scientific research and enable informed contributory, collaborative, or co-created projects.
4. Outputs
• Increased Participation: More community members, especially youth, engaging with programmes and volunteer in conservation.
• Improved Access to Nature: Local residents regularly using green spaces for recreation, fitness and wellbeing.
• Enhanced Skills and Awareness: Participants gain skills in mental health management, physical fitness, and environmental conservation.
• Capacity Building: Full inclusivity, increasing community confidence, reducing stress and anxiety, improved ability to learn and increased productivity.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Full and continuous data collection process to monitor and report key indicators that measure the impact of targeted initiatives which drive community resilience.
5. Outcomes
• Short-term: Improved individual mental and physical health, improved educational outcomes, stronger social connections, and awareness of environmental issues.
• Medium-term: Greater community resilience, improved productivity, youth empowerment, and conservation engagement.
• Long-term: Sustainable community wellbeing, improved environmental health, and a resilient, connected community that can address future challenges.
6. Impact
• Enhanced Community Resilience: A community that’s more self-sustaining and cohesive, with members actively invested in and contributing to each other’s wellbeing and the local environment.
• Environmental Stewardship: Long-term conservation of local green spaces, fostering biodiversity and sustainable practices.
In 2019 we raised £1.7m and started installing facilities and since we reopened in April 2021 following the lifting of the Covid restrictions, user numbers have been building steadily. We provide the community with a range of facilities and activities designed to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. To the end of 2022 the total for money raised stood around £2.5m which formed the spending on the current provision at that time.
We currently offer:
Takeaways
We are alert to ever changing local needs and GAPS as the country struggles with the cost of living and social scenarios resulting from the pandemic and we plan for more facilities on site after consultations with the local population and Authorities we have concluded upon the following:
Where necessary all the above are included in our masterplan which is currently in pre / full planning with the local Authority.
We are currently in the process of introducing an online / on app booking system (financed by a grant from Essex Community Foundation) to manage the physical resources, as we leverage each facility to ensure multi use which allows us pricing flexibility and makes us affordable to all.
We will run this in conjunction with a membership system that is free to youth. We are not proposing we are a members’ club, but this enables us monitor entry and to keep people safe and informed, which is what our direct consultations told us was an over whelming wish. The system also allows us to operate different levels of charging, discounts and subsidy so everyone is equal when on site.
While using the council run football facilities at Priory Park one Sunday morning, Clive Shiret reflected on just how poor the facilities were – the changing rooms were decrepit and dirty, no showers and water dribbling out of leaky taps, exactly as they had been 40 years earlier when he first played a match there, and the pitch was very poorly maintained, exactly as it had been 40 years earlier.
Clive reflected on what in his view should be provided for the community and determined that he had the right skill sets and experience to create something that better fitted the obvious need.
Clive realised that the ambition should be bold and imagined the comprehensive sustainable community facility at Garon Park we see today and took the outline plan to Philip Tolhurst, the then Chair of the Norman Garon Trust who owned the site. Philip supported the idea in principle and Clive then set about making it become a reality both physically and financially.
Garon Park Community Interest Company is incorporated with the aim of making the facility a long term, sustainable ‘go to’ destination for team sport and community wellbeing, a place where local community groups can flourish.
In July 2015 Garon Park Community Interest Company licences 32 acres of land from The Norman Garon Trust (NGT). GP CIC rents pitches to Old Southendian Football Club, Old Southendian and Southchurch Cricket Club and Essex Cricket. The site becomes financially sustainable.
An independent, consultant led Baseline Survey is carried out which looks at communities in the local area, in particular those that are registered as most deprived. This was then compared to facilities that the Government and Local Authority should provide and the result was a Gap Analysis which GP CIC used as the basis of a community consultation, which informed the design of the Vitality Park and emphasised the positive impacts fresh air and outdoor exercise has on health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing At Garon Park is set up as a small constituted charity.
In June Wellbeing At Garon Park is registered as a CIO, with the purpose of improving the physical and mental health of the people of Southend.
The Wellbeing at Garon Park Board set to work on establishing their strategy and 5-year plans and a funding strategy is developed, with the priority being to secure funding for a 1 km wellbeing trail
Wellbeing At Garon Park host their first community event, an Easter Fun Day attracting over 3000 people.
Garon Park CIC signs 35 year lease with NGT
GPCIC secures funding for a 3G pitch from The FA Facilities Fund / Premier League.
The Community Bond is launched and is successful
GP CIC starts construction of a brand new floodlit 3G football Pitch
WBGP secures funding for the Garon Park Shed and a second hand portacabin is purchased and refurbished by volunteers
Funding is secured from National Lottery, Veolia Environmental Trust and Southend City Council for the Wellbeing Trail in the Vitality Park
January – fully equipped Garon Park Shed opens to the local community
Lockdown closes GP to the general public; however, socially distanced work continues behind the gates enabling facilities to be ready to welcome guests as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted
By 2020 over 4000 trees and hedgerow whips have been planted at Garon Park, amounting to 0.75 km of hedgerow.
Construction of the 1km Wellbeing Trail is completed
Site Development Manager, Community Engagement Officer, Operations Manager and Commercial Development Manager are appointed
Work begins on creating the Garon Park Herbie man
Stage 2 of the Vitality Park project is completed, with the outdoor gym, playground equipment, seating areas being installed, and the community garden is established.
Population released from lockdown measures – 3G pitch reopens to the community.
Wellbeing At Garon Park are selected to run the HAF – Holiday Activity and Feeding Programme for local children
James Duddridge MP visits Garon Park and gives his support to the project
Wellbeing at Garon Park host their first hugely successful Christmas Community Event for local community groups
The GP Community Orchard is planted with heritage fruit trees in January 2022 by over 100 people from local families, schools and community groups
Community fridge donated by St Edmunds Community Hall to support in the provision of meals for volunteers and local groups
GP CIC / WBGP awarded the Government funded Community Regeneration Fund project – launch highly successful In2Volunteering / In2Work initiatives.
Garon Park welcomes the local community to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee together. Over 1500 attend a fantastic community event. Funded by the Lottery
The Festival Cricket Ground is renamed The Peter Butler Oval in memory of one of our strongest supporters.
By April 2022 we had topped 220,000 visitors to Garon Park since April 2021, 16560 being Wellbeing At Garon Park visitors
Work on the nature school project is complete and the Hive Nature School, funded by local business Hivedome Ltd, is officially opened by Southend Mayor, Margaret Borton. The logo for the nature school is designed by a pupil from Hinguar School and is brought to life by a Design Student from the University.
The Garon Park Community Shed is officially opened by Mayor Margaret Borton
Garon Park CIC/Wellbeing at Garon Park establish partnerships onsite with Steps Ahead to run the Nature School and The Fitness Shack to run the PT/Fitness sessions on site
Wellbeing at Garon Park takes delivery of a community minibus thanks to match funding from St Edmunds Community Hall
Community Meals/Friendship Groups begin, working in partnership with Welcome to the UK bringing migrant families to Garon Park to enjoy a meal together and to build friendships
Pilot family offer to EHCP students / parent at a local school. Establish Educational Hub 4 Children and Parents (EH4CP)
SUCET make Garon Park their permanent home
Garon Park Youth Club is established after a successful pilot with over 250 young people registering in the first 4 weeks. The club continues to go from strength to strength.
A pilot project working in partnership with Sutton House Academy providing support for disengaged young people is a huge success and paves the way for future collaboration
Alisha Threadgold completes her business apprenticeship as our first apprentice.
In2Work and In2Volunteering programmes go from strength to strength thanks to UKSPF Programme funding success
By spring 2023 a further 6000 trees and hedgerow whips are planted at Garon Park, working with 120 employees of NatWest bank, bringing us up to 2km of hedgerow.
The Kings Coronation Community Event is held over 2 days at Garon Park to celebrate the Kings Accession to the throne and to celebrate The Big Help Out, highlighting the importance of local volunteers and volunteering opportunities. Over 1500 attendees.
A ‘tree of trees’ is planted to commemorate the Queens Jubilee. Garon Park is hugely honoured to be chosen to receive this tree by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, HM The Lord Lieutenant. The tree is one of eight in Essex, donated from the Queen’s gardens to help form the Queens Canopy.
A Pergola of Memories is established at Garon Park with the support of volunteers and local businesses.
Garon Park are awarded the prestigious Community Green Flag Accreditation
The Garon Park Storytelling Chair is unveiled at Garon Park. Designed by local school children and crafted by the talented Garon Park Shed volunteers from locally sourced Oak.
The Vitality Park is officially opened by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex
The SUCET Education Centre is officially opened and Mrs Linley Butler, Trustee of EASST who financed the centre, with Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex in attendance.
Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Mrs Linley Butler plant the WBGP Friendship tree in the Vitality Park
The Vitality Centre is opened to provide indoor space for EC4HP groups
Anna Firth MP visits Garon Park
GPCIC base all of their decisions on relevant data and we will not pursue projects unless we can identify clear needs. To date we have conducted 2 baseline surveys of the local area, one in relation to the facilities and the other in relation to Youth provision. We then consult the local people, politicians, LA and interested parties before opting for a course of action. Once decided and organised we chart the outcomes of our actions in an annual survey. Our past surveys and current data plans are available for all to view and share on this website.
The purpose of these reports are provide evidence-based insight into the current users of the park, their satisfaction levels, insights to enrich the pilot youth club programme, insights into the government’s levelling up agenda and most importantly to evaluate how well the site is aiding in meeting user’s physical and well-being objectives.
GP CIC commissioned a report in early 2024 to test out levelling up agenda, see how the City was doing overall and see how we could help the City with its current under performance which is ultimately leading to a downward spiral for many aspirations of local people.
Executive Summary
Disparities in the quality of opportunities, both across and within different regions and cities of the United Kingdom have stood to leave the British economy among the most unequal of industrialised nations. The consequent combination of lower incomes, poorer health outcomes and low levels of life satisfaction in some areas have generated poorer life outcomes for millions of people based solely upon their geography. Successful investment in the ‘levelling up’ of underperforming areas, such that they converge with national averages across several domains would generate a significant
improvement to the citizenry’s wellbeing, equivalent to hundreds of billions of pounds nationwide.
Poor outcomes in health, economic, social and environmental domains suggest Southend-on-Sea is in need of such investment. Productivity consistently ranked within the nation’s bottom decile, above average unemployment rates, poor health outcomes associated with a lack of physical activity and an environment among the nation’s most wanting for green space make it a place pockmarked with deprivation. The disparities between ‘commuter belts’ on the city’s fringes and its central wards reliant on a weak local economy in need of wealth creation also sees the gap between the city’s most and least deprived areas among the nation’s largest, undermining social trust. In order for the city to start serving its local community more justly and effectively, it is clear that change is needed.
Garon Park CIC (GP CIC) is able to help deliver much of this change. Through providing facilities across its 32-acre site for use by local companies, charities and community groups, and its own activities through its charity arm Wellbeing at Garon Park (WGP), it has the potential to help meet six of the government’s twelve missions through driving improvements to four of the six capitals driving prosperity. This is achieved particularly with a focus on providing opportunities to young people, with more than half of the site’s visits by under 18s. The presence of multiple alternative education providers, community events throughout the year, youth clubs, holiday groups and dozens of youth sports teams drove more than 100,000 unique visits in 2023, with the potential to expand further in the presence of both greater youth involvement in decision making, and in a wider range of facilities.
Involvement with the GP CIC site has already driven improvements in user’s lived experience, with survey data from 2023 and 2024 suggesting prominent advances in people’s health, socialising and sense of community among other benefits. GP CIC’s delivery of the Community Renewal Fund aimed at promoting local prosperity on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council accommodated nearly twice the numbers targeted and was adjudged to be ‘of an exceptionally high standard’. These findings suggest the extent of positive deliverable outcomes by GP CIC’s community engagement model can be broad and is limited only by the extent of its facilities.
Garon Park Bar Limited – Company number 09727418
GPB Limited is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, wholly owned by Garon Park CIC. All of our trading is processed through this company. Full terms and conditions can be found here.
With over 30 years of experience in the leisure & hospitality industry. His journey began overseas playing tennis in America before returning to the UK and heading out to Saudi Arabia to work in the bustling world of hotel operations and health clubs.
He has worked in the Leisure Industry for the likes of LA Fitness, David Lloyd, Holmes Place and Virgin Active, in both a General Management and a Regional Operational role.
In the Hospitality world, Mark worked for Marriott, Inter-Continental, Whitbread and Handpicked Hotels.
Mark is actively involved in every aspect of the site, from our stakeholders and management to our systems, from staff training to operational strategy, ensuring that the brand promise is consistently delivered and developed.
Liam has worked the land for as long as he can remember, since leaving school he ran a business gardening and landscaping, incorporating his passion for nature to create sustainable and wildlife focused gardens. The business was successful, however he felt the need to follow his passion further and decided to go to university, where he has been studying now to Phd level over the last decade or so. During this time Liam got involved in a number of environmentally focussed community projects and set up his own community interest company to deliver these types of projects within the Southend area. Although challenging, juggling this with his studies, the community work was very rewarding and he supported many people with a varying range of challenges, through promoting access to green space and nature-based activities. This work eventually led him into my current role as conservation manager at Garon Park.
The research for his doctorate is within the field of ecological thermodynamics, with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture. Since joining the Garon Park team Liam has developed an extensive site wide conservation plan, as well as our volunteer and work experience programme. In addition, he has been working on our community agriculture project and has partnered with Shumei International, who originated in Japan and have global presence promoting sustainable agriculture. Shumei (Natural) agriculture has a defined set of principles with a clear ecological focus. The core objectives focus on preserving the soil and building positive feedback between plants and soil. Principles such as seed saving and continuous cropping act to develop a relationship between the crops and the soil they are growing in. Through both his studies and his own connection with the land Liam has a deep recognition of the cyclical character of natural systems.
By observing and participating in natural cycles we form a deep connection with soil and crops, and Liam believes this is the fundamental change that needs to occur in land management. We as humans have an obligation to be stewards of the land, to ensure stability of the planet for future generations.
As Youth Lead and Youth Club Manager, Anna is passionate about helping young people and giving them the tools and support they need to thrive. She has lots of experience in behaviour management and working in alternative provision, supporting children and teenagers through challenging situations.
Anna has got a strong background in safeguarding (Level 4 DSL), special educational needs, and mental health support, with qualifications in Sociology (Degree), Social Work, and Youth Work. She has also done extensive training in areas like child criminal exploitation, autism awareness, challenging behaviour, and mental health in young people.
Before moving into youth work, she worked in insurance, risk management, and HR, where she built leadership and organisational skills. After taking a break to raise her four children, she has been focused on creating safe, inclusive spaces where every young person has the chance to succeed.
Will worked for Southend Council Parks Department from July 2002 – September 2002 as a groundsman and machine operator.
He started as an apprenticeship with Essex County Council as a plant fitter whilst concurrently attending Writtle college on a service engineering NVQ level 2/3, for which he received a pass with a distinction. This was between 2002- 2006.
He was employed at Cecil Jones Collage/Academy in 2006 – 2022 as the Groundsman; then found a new interest as a caretaker assistant where he worked up to the Assistant Site Manager, for the last 6 months in this role he was promoted to Acting Site Manager.
From 2022 onwards he has been employed at Garon Park / Wellbeing at Garon Park as Site/Facilities Manager, managing the repairs and maintenance to the site and managing set up of events. Will has set up the asset register, as well as put together a comprehensive Health & Safety schedule.
Born in Ilford but raised a Chelmsford boy, Philip joined Essex County Cricket Club in 1991 as a Junior Cricket Groundsman. Learning his trade hands on from the very bottom at just 16 years old he also attended Writtle Agricultural College gaining an NVQ in Sports Turf Management levels 1 & 2 and has also undertaken courses through the GMA in Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter ground maintenance.
Philip worked his way up to Assistant Head Groundsman at The County Ground in Chelmsford before deciding to leave the role in 2004 to improve his work-life balance. He spent the next 2 years travelling the world and in between ventures working for Moat Housing Association as a gardener.
In 2006 Philip was offered his current role managing the Cricket ground at Garon Park for Essex CCC. This later transferred over to working for GP CIC.
Thanks to his hard work, knowledge of the grounds and 30+ years of experience, Garon Park continues to host Essex CCC 2nd xi fixtures, academy and youth games. Over the years Garon Park has also hosted international sides; England Women, The Netherlands, Denmark and USA Women to name but a few.
His real passion however is his involvement in grassroots and recreational cricket. Allowing local clubs, schools and groups to play on good, safe pitches of a high quality standard. Philip also looks after the grass football pitches and has been instrumental in the mapping of the site to allow maximum use of space available and the needs of the clubs and events the field undertakes. He also marks out all the pitches and maintains the 3G pitch with weekly brushing and remarking the pitches on it.
Jess joined the Garon Park team in 2022 as part of our successful onsite volunteer program.
Following a period of volunteering on site Jess then joined the Pitchside Café team where she worked part time for over 18 months before transitioning over to a catering role on site where Jess is the Chef, providing a vegetarian menu for our many volunteers, staff and local groups who enjoy the onsite facilities daily.
Prior to joining the Garon Park team Jess worked at a leading UK Food Retailer between 2006-2016 where she led a specialized Tech Support team that provided Electrical support and expertise. In 2016 Jess left her role of over 10 years to start a family and now has two young children.
Born in Southend, Andy attended Southend High School for Boys before studying Economics at the University of Cambridge.
He became more engaged with Garon Park in 2022, writing a site sustainability report for which be became a finalist at the inaugural Southend Volunteer Awards, and authoring the company’s Levelling Up Research Report released in 2024.
Andy started working at Garon Park as Operations Assistant in August 2024, where he is focussed on managing the company’s data systems and maximising the site’s impact.
Originally from Billericay, moved to Southend-on-Sea at age 11. He dedicated many years to the Southend Rugby Club, fostering a strong community spirit.
Bill began his career at Chapel & Chapel a local family run business, he then moved to Gilsons, a local fishmongery, before spending over 30 years at IMS, where he drove lorries and delivered steel across the UK.
His commitment to the community extended to over 20 years with the 2nd Southchurch Scouts in Southend, where he played a pivotal role in mentoring young scouts. Bill’s life reflects dedication to his family, work, sports, and community service.
Garon Park Community Interest Company (GP CIC)
Our mission is one of Levelling Up – to Connect Community – by providing destination quality facilities for all.
Our Business Plan is to multi-hire those quality facilities to partner organisations and local community groups, with the aim of making Garon Park a long term, sustainable ‘go to’ destination for team sport and community wellbeing, where local people can flourish in a safe, secure and well-run environment.
Our Focus is Youth – our vision is to offer local youth guided pathways through our environment, where they have a voice and influence; feel safe and confident; and able to learn and flourish surrounded by nature. However, we operate beyond Youth supporting the whole community and their wellbeing.
Our Agenda is Conservation – providing a managed environment where people, plants, birds and native animals and invertebrates co habit the Park for the mutual benefit.
Our Objectives are linked to fostering Community Resilience by promoting sustainable lifestyle, sport, health and wellbeing activities and fill major gaps in the local provision, by providing:
Every member of the Board of Garon Park CIC is a local volunteer who has skills in the portfolio they oversee and everyone gives their time for free to further the aims of the CIC and ensure it is organised to meet its published aims and the organisation is properly run
Current board roles:
Entrepreneur / Philanthropist
Clive was born in St Lukes Ward and has lived in Southend all of his life. Clive attended Southend High for Boys and Westminster College and is qualified in business management and is Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality FIH. Clive has an entrepreneurial background and started his own hospitality company in 1984, which he sold in 2004.
In 2007 Clive started Livingstone Tanzania Trust a poverty alleviation charity in Tanzania which concentrates on children and education and to date have completely built / refurbished 9 schools and bought feeding, hygiene and menstrual programmes to the whole district – 35 schools – over 22,500 primary students a day. (www.livingstonetanzaniatrust.com).
In 2013 Clive had the idea to start a community health and wellbeing programme at Garon Park and with the help of Philip Tolhurst of Norman Garon Trust the first steps were taken in 2014
Clive is the day-to-day site Director
Dan Feist holds the position of General Manager for Essex Cricket.
He oversees the day-to-day running of the Club, since moving from his previous role as Deputy Chief Executive.
During his time in his previous role Dan looked after the development of Chelmsford as a regional hub for Cricket and Community engagement and enhancement. As well as guiding the Essex Cricket family, in playing its key part in the ECB drive to become the most inclusive team sport.
Duncan studied law at Kingston University, London before completing his Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. He joined Jefferies Solicitors Essex as a trainee solicitor in 2007 and qualified into our Litigation Department in 2009.
Duncan undertakes a wide range of commercial litigation and dispute resolution work, including mediation and appearing in Court. He regularly deals with shareholder and partnership disputes, insolvency litigation including directors’ disqualification proceedings and professional negligence actions. Duncan also undertakes debt recovery and enforcement claims.
In addition, Duncan has particular experience of dealing with property and land disputes and practices all aspects of landlord and tenant litigation, from high-value property litigation to residential possession claims.
Duncan also frequently works on non-contentious commercial matters, including developing, drafting and negotiating general business to business agreements, partnership agreements, trading terms and conditions (including websites), loan documents, shareholder and cross option agreements.
In his spare time Duncan enjoys going to see live music. He also plays golf. Badly.
Educator / Third sector ‘leadership’ specialist
Robin is best known in the Southend community for his leadership role across three local schools since 1994, culminating with 17 years (2007–24) as Headteacher at Southend High School for Boys. He holds a Masters degree in Mathematics (Oxford University), a Masters degree in educational theory (Cambridge University) and was awarded a doctorate (Cambridge University in collaboration with UCLA) in 2007 for pioneering research into online learning. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Since 2001, Robin has held multiple national roles in educational/organisational leadership including: member, then chair, of the National Teacher Research Panel (2003-16); research specialist for the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information Centre (2001–07); member of the National Council of the Association of Managers in Education (2010-18); member, then national president, of the Executive Committee of the National Education Union (NEU), formerly Association of Teachers and Lecturers (2005-22); and was a founding member of the Chartered College of Teaching, subsequently nominated as a founding fellow (2017).
He continues to serve as a Patron of the Institute of School Business Leadership (2017-); a Trustee of the NEU Pension Scheme (2012-); and represents school leaders, nationally, as a board member of the Ethical Leadership Alliance (2023-).
Robin applies his professional expertise and understanding to help create the circumstances in which “all may thrive”, especially those with more limited social/economic opportunities.
We are indebted to those members who went before and their names are listed below as recognition of their work and a show of gratitude from current members:
Patrick Tolhurst Founder Member – Sept 2014 to December 2018 – Solicitor
Peter Butler – Member – January 2016 to November 2021 – Philanthropist / Businessman
Derek Bowden – Member – January 2016 to February 2019 – Chief Exec Essex Cricket
Dennis Travell – Member – October 2018 – October 2021 – Solicitor
In 2019 we raised £1.7m and started installing facilities and since we reopened in April 2021 following the lifting of the Covid restrictions, user numbers have been building steadily. We provide the community with a range of facilities and activities designed to improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing. To the end of 2022 the total for money raised stood around £2.5m which formed the spending on the current provision at that time.
We currently offer:
Takeaways
We are alert to ever changing local needs and GAPS as the country struggles with the cost of living and social scenarios resulting from the pandemic and we plan for more facilities on site after consultations with the local population and Authorities we have concluded upon the following:
Where necessary all the above are included in our masterplan which is currently in pre / full planning with the local Authority.
We are currently in the process of introducing an online / on app booking system (financed by a grant from Essex Community Foundation) to manage the physical resources, as we leverage each facility to ensure multi use which allows us pricing flexibility and makes us affordable to all.
We will run this in conjunction with a membership system that is free to youth. We are not proposing we are a members’ club, but this enables us monitor entry and to keep people safe and informed, which is what our direct consultations told us was an over whelming wish. The system also allows us to operate different levels of charging, discounts and subsidy so everyone is equal when on site.
While using the council run football facilities at Priory Park one Sunday morning, Clive Shiret reflected on just how poor the facilities were – the changing rooms were decrepit and dirty, no showers and water dribbling out of leaky taps, exactly as they had been 40 years earlier when he first played a match there, and the pitch was very poorly maintained, exactly as it had been 40 years earlier.
Clive reflected on what in his view should be provided for the community and determined that he had the right skill sets and experience to create something that better fitted the obvious need.
Clive realised that the ambition should be bold and imagined the comprehensive sustainable community facility at Garon Park we see today and took the outline plan to Philip Tolhurst, the then Chair of the Norman Garon Trust who owned the site. Philip supported the idea in principle and Clive then set about making it become a reality both physically and financially.
Garon Park Community Interest Company is incorporated with the aim of making the facility a long term, sustainable ‘go to’ destination for team sport and community wellbeing, a place where local community groups can flourish.
In July 2015 Garon Park Community Interest Company licences 32 acres of land from The Norman Garon Trust (NGT). GP CIC rents pitches to Old Southendian Football Club, Old Southendian and Southchurch Cricket Club and Essex Cricket. The site becomes financially sustainable.
An independent, consultant led Baseline Survey is carried out which looks at communities in the local area, in particular those that are registered as most deprived. This was then compared to facilities that the Government and Local Authority should provide and the result was a Gap Analysis which GP CIC used as the basis of a community consultation, which informed the design of the Vitality Park and emphasised the positive impacts fresh air and outdoor exercise has on health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing At Garon Park is set up as a small constituted charity.
In June Wellbeing At Garon Park is registered as a CIO, with the purpose of improving the physical and mental health of the people of Southend.
The Wellbeing at Garon Park Board set to work on establishing their strategy and 5-year plans and a funding strategy is developed, with the priority being to secure funding for a 1 km wellbeing trail
Wellbeing At Garon Park host their first community event, an Easter Fun Day attracting over 3000 people.
Garon Park CIC signs 35 year lease with NGT
GPCIC secures funding for a 3G pitch from The FA Facilities Fund / Premier League.
The Community Bond is launched and is successful
GP CIC starts construction of a brand new floodlit 3G football Pitch
WBGP secures funding for the Garon Park Shed and a second hand portacabin is purchased and refurbished by volunteers
Funding is secured from National Lottery, Veolia Environmental Trust and Southend City Council for the Wellbeing Trail in the Vitality Park
January – fully equipped Garon Park Shed opens to the local community
Lockdown closes GP to the general public; however, socially distanced work continues behind the gates enabling facilities to be ready to welcome guests as soon as lockdown restrictions are lifted
By 2020 over 4000 trees and hedgerow whips have been planted at Garon Park, amounting to 0.75 km of hedgerow.
Construction of the 1km Wellbeing Trail is completed
Site Development Manager, Community Engagement Officer, Operations Manager and Commercial Development Manager are appointed
Work begins on creating the Garon Park Herbie man
Stage 2 of the Vitality Park project is completed, with the outdoor gym, playground equipment, seating areas being installed, and the community garden is established.
Population released from lockdown measures – 3G pitch reopens to the community.
Wellbeing At Garon Park are selected to run the HAF – Holiday Activity and Feeding Programme for local children
James Duddridge MP visits Garon Park and gives his support to the project
Wellbeing at Garon Park host their first hugely successful Christmas Community Event for local community groups
The GP Community Orchard is planted with heritage fruit trees in January 2022 by over 100 people from local families, schools and community groups
Community fridge donated by St Edmunds Community Hall to support in the provision of meals for volunteers and local groups
GP CIC / WBGP awarded the Government funded Community Regeneration Fund project – launch highly successful In2Volunteering / In2Work initiatives.
Garon Park welcomes the local community to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee together. Over 1500 attend a fantastic community event. Funded by the Lottery
The Festival Cricket Ground is renamed The Peter Butler Oval in memory of one of our strongest supporters.
By April 2022 we had topped 220,000 visitors to Garon Park since April 2021, 16560 being Wellbeing At Garon Park visitors
Work on the nature school project is complete and the Hive Nature School, funded by local business Hivedome Ltd, is officially opened by Southend Mayor, Margaret Borton. The logo for the nature school is designed by a pupil from Hinguar School and is brought to life by a Design Student from the University.
The Garon Park Community Shed is officially opened by Mayor Margaret Borton
Garon Park CIC/Wellbeing at Garon Park establish partnerships onsite with Steps Ahead to run the Nature School and The Fitness Shack to run the PT/Fitness sessions on site
Wellbeing at Garon Park takes delivery of a community minibus thanks to match funding from St Edmunds Community Hall
Community Meals/Friendship Groups begin, working in partnership with Welcome to the UK bringing migrant families to Garon Park to enjoy a meal together and to build friendships
Pilot family offer to EHCP students / parent at a local school. Establish Educational Hub 4 Children and Parents (EH4CP)
SUCET make Garon Park their permanent home
Garon Park Youth Club is established after a successful pilot with over 250 young people registering in the first 4 weeks. The club continues to go from strength to strength.
A pilot project working in partnership with Sutton House Academy providing support for disengaged young people is a huge success and paves the way for future collaboration
Alisha Threadgold completes her business apprenticeship as our first apprentice.
In2Work and In2Volunteering programmes go from strength to strength thanks to UKSPF Programme funding success
By spring 2023 a further 6000 trees and hedgerow whips are planted at Garon Park, working with 120 employees of NatWest bank, bringing us up to 2km of hedgerow.
The Kings Coronation Community Event is held over 2 days at Garon Park to celebrate the Kings Accession to the throne and to celebrate The Big Help Out, highlighting the importance of local volunteers and volunteering opportunities. Over 1500 attendees.
A ‘tree of trees’ is planted to commemorate the Queens Jubilee. Garon Park is hugely honoured to be chosen to receive this tree by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, HM The Lord Lieutenant. The tree is one of eight in Essex, donated from the Queen’s gardens to help form the Queens Canopy.
A Pergola of Memories is established at Garon Park with the support of volunteers and local businesses.
Garon Park are awarded the prestigious Community Green Flag Accreditation
The Garon Park Storytelling Chair is unveiled at Garon Park. Designed by local school children and crafted by the talented Garon Park Shed volunteers from locally sourced Oak.
The Vitality Park is officially opened by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex
The SUCET Education Centre is officially opened and Mrs Linley Butler, Trustee of EASST who financed the centre, with Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex in attendance.
Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst HM The Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Mrs Linley Butler plant the WBGP Friendship tree in the Vitality Park
The Vitality Centre is opened to provide indoor space for EC4HP groups
Anna Firth MP visits Garon Park
GPCIC base all of their decisions on relevant data and we will not pursue projects unless we can identify clear needs. To date we have conducted 2 baseline surveys of the local area, one in relation to the facilities and the other in relation to Youth provision. We then consult the local people, politicians, LA and interested parties before opting for a course of action. Once decided and organised we chart the outcomes of our actions in an annual survey. Our past surveys and current data plans are available for all to view and share on this website.
The purpose of these reports are provide evidence-based insight into the current users of the park, their satisfaction levels, insights to enrich the pilot youth club programme, insights into the government’s levelling up agenda and most importantly to evaluate how well the site is aiding in meeting user’s physical and well-being objectives.
GP CIC commissioned a report in early 2024 to test out levelling up agenda, see how the City was doing overall and see how we could help the City with its current under performance which is ultimately leading to a downward spiral for many aspirations of local people.
Executive Summary
Disparities in the quality of opportunities, both across and within different regions and cities of the United Kingdom have stood to leave the British economy among the most unequal of industrialised nations. The consequent combination of lower incomes, poorer health outcomes and low levels of life satisfaction in some areas have generated poorer life outcomes for millions of people based solely upon their geography. Successful investment in the ‘levelling up’ of underperforming areas, such that they converge with national averages across several domains would generate a significant
improvement to the citizenry’s wellbeing, equivalent to hundreds of billions of pounds nationwide.
Poor outcomes in health, economic, social and environmental domains suggest Southend-on-Sea is in need of such investment. Productivity consistently ranked within the nation’s bottom decile, above average unemployment rates, poor health outcomes associated with a lack of physical activity and an environment among the nation’s most wanting for green space make it a place pockmarked with deprivation. The disparities between ‘commuter belts’ on the city’s fringes and its central wards reliant on a weak local economy in need of wealth creation also sees the gap between the city’s most and least deprived areas among the nation’s largest, undermining social trust. In order for the city to start serving its local community more justly and effectively, it is clear that change is needed.
Garon Park CIC (GP CIC) is able to help deliver much of this change. Through providing facilities across its 32-acre site for use by local companies, charities and community groups, and its own activities through its charity arm Wellbeing at Garon Park (WGP), it has the potential to help meet six of the government’s twelve missions through driving improvements to four of the six capitals driving prosperity. This is achieved particularly with a focus on providing opportunities to young people, with more than half of the site’s visits by under 18s. The presence of multiple alternative education providers, community events throughout the year, youth clubs, holiday groups and dozens of youth sports teams drove more than 100,000 unique visits in 2023, with the potential to expand further in the presence of both greater youth involvement in decision making, and in a wider range of facilities.
Involvement with the GP CIC site has already driven improvements in user’s lived experience, with survey data from 2023 and 2024 suggesting prominent advances in people’s health, socialising and sense of community among other benefits. GP CIC’s delivery of the Community Renewal Fund aimed at promoting local prosperity on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council accommodated nearly twice the numbers targeted and was adjudged to be ‘of an exceptionally high standard’. These findings suggest the extent of positive deliverable outcomes by GP CIC’s community engagement model can be broad and is limited only by the extent of its facilities.
Garon Park Bar Limited – Company number 09727418
GPB Limited is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital, wholly owned by Garon Park CIC. All of our trading is processed through this company. Full terms and conditions can be found here.
With over 30 years of experience in the leisure & hospitality industry. His journey began overseas playing tennis in America before returning to the UK and heading out to Saudi Arabia to work in the bustling world of hotel operations and health clubs.
He has worked in the Leisure Industry for the likes of LA Fitness, David Lloyd, Holmes Place and Virgin Active, in both a General Management and a Regional Operational role.
In the Hospitality world, Mark worked for Marriott, Inter-Continental, Whitbread and Handpicked Hotels.
Mark is actively involved in every aspect of the site, from our stakeholders and management to our systems, from staff training to operational strategy, ensuring that the brand promise is consistently delivered and developed.
Liam has worked the land for as long as he can remember, since leaving school he ran a business gardening and landscaping, incorporating his passion for nature to create sustainable and wildlife focused gardens. The business was successful, however he felt the need to follow his passion further and decided to go to university, where he has been studying now to Phd level over the last decade or so. During this time Liam got involved in a number of environmentally focussed community projects and set up his own community interest company to deliver these types of projects within the Southend area. Although challenging, juggling this with his studies, the community work was very rewarding and he supported many people with a varying range of challenges, through promoting access to green space and nature-based activities. This work eventually led him into my current role as conservation manager at Garon Park.
The research for his doctorate is within the field of ecological thermodynamics, with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture. Since joining the Garon Park team Liam has developed an extensive site wide conservation plan, as well as our volunteer and work experience programme. In addition, he has been working on our community agriculture project and has partnered with Shumei International, who originated in Japan and have global presence promoting sustainable agriculture. Shumei (Natural) agriculture has a defined set of principles with a clear ecological focus. The core objectives focus on preserving the soil and building positive feedback between plants and soil. Principles such as seed saving and continuous cropping act to develop a relationship between the crops and the soil they are growing in. Through both his studies and his own connection with the land Liam has a deep recognition of the cyclical character of natural systems.
By observing and participating in natural cycles we form a deep connection with soil and crops, and Liam believes this is the fundamental change that needs to occur in land management. We as humans have an obligation to be stewards of the land, to ensure stability of the planet for future generations.
As Youth Lead and Youth Club Manager, Anna is passionate about helping young people and giving them the tools and support they need to thrive. She has lots of experience in behaviour management and working in alternative provision, supporting children and teenagers through challenging situations.
Anna has got a strong background in safeguarding (Level 4 DSL), special educational needs, and mental health support, with qualifications in Sociology (Degree), Social Work, and Youth Work. She has also done extensive training in areas like child criminal exploitation, autism awareness, challenging behaviour, and mental health in young people.
Before moving into youth work, she worked in insurance, risk management, and HR, where she built leadership and organisational skills. After taking a break to raise her four children, she has been focused on creating safe, inclusive spaces where every young person has the chance to succeed.
Will worked for Southend Council Parks Department from July 2002 – September 2002 as a groundsman and machine operator.
He started as an apprenticeship with Essex County Council as a plant fitter whilst concurrently attending Writtle college on a service engineering NVQ level 2/3, for which he received a pass with a distinction. This was between 2002- 2006.
He was employed at Cecil Jones Collage/Academy in 2006 – 2022 as the Groundsman; then found a new interest as a caretaker assistant where he worked up to the Assistant Site Manager, for the last 6 months in this role he was promoted to Acting Site Manager.
From 2022 onwards he has been employed at Garon Park / Wellbeing at Garon Park as Site/Facilities Manager, managing the repairs and maintenance to the site and managing set up of events. Will has set up the asset register, as well as put together a comprehensive Health & Safety schedule.
Born in Ilford but raised a Chelmsford boy, Philip joined Essex County Cricket Club in 1991 as a Junior Cricket Groundsman. Learning his trade hands on from the very bottom at just 16 years old he also attended Writtle Agricultural College gaining an NVQ in Sports Turf Management levels 1 & 2 and has also undertaken courses through the GMA in Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter ground maintenance.
Philip worked his way up to Assistant Head Groundsman at The County Ground in Chelmsford before deciding to leave the role in 2004 to improve his work-life balance. He spent the next 2 years travelling the world and in between ventures working for Moat Housing Association as a gardener.
In 2006 Philip was offered his current role managing the Cricket ground at Garon Park for Essex CCC. This later transferred over to working for GP CIC.
Thanks to his hard work, knowledge of the grounds and 30+ years of experience, Garon Park continues to host Essex CCC 2nd xi fixtures, academy and youth games. Over the years Garon Park has also hosted international sides; England Women, The Netherlands, Denmark and USA Women to name but a few.
His real passion however is his involvement in grassroots and recreational cricket. Allowing local clubs, schools and groups to play on good, safe pitches of a high quality standard. Philip also looks after the grass football pitches and has been instrumental in the mapping of the site to allow maximum use of space available and the needs of the clubs and events the field undertakes. He also marks out all the pitches and maintains the 3G pitch with weekly brushing and remarking the pitches on it.
Jess joined the Garon Park team in 2022 as part of our successful onsite volunteer program.
Following a period of volunteering on site Jess then joined the Pitchside Café team where she worked part time for over 18 months before transitioning over to a catering role on site where Jess is the Chef, providing a vegetarian menu for our many volunteers, staff and local groups who enjoy the onsite facilities daily.
Prior to joining the Garon Park team Jess worked at a leading UK Food Retailer between 2006-2016 where she led a specialized Tech Support team that provided Electrical support and expertise. In 2016 Jess left her role of over 10 years to start a family and now has two young children.
Born in Southend, Andy attended Southend High School for Boys before studying Economics at the University of Cambridge.
He became more engaged with Garon Park in 2022, writing a site sustainability report for which be became a finalist at the inaugural Southend Volunteer Awards, and authoring the company’s Levelling Up Research Report released in 2024.
Andy started working at Garon Park as Operations Assistant in August 2024, where he is focussed on managing the company’s data systems and maximising the site’s impact.
Originally from Billericay, moved to Southend-on-Sea at age 11. He dedicated many years to the Southend Rugby Club, fostering a strong community spirit.
Bill began his career at Chapel & Chapel a local family run business, he then moved to Gilsons, a local fishmongery, before spending over 30 years at IMS, where he drove lorries and delivered steel across the UK.
His commitment to the community extended to over 20 years with the 2nd Southchurch Scouts in Southend, where he played a pivotal role in mentoring young scouts. Bill’s life reflects dedication to his family, work, sports, and community service.
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Charity Number: 1178841 | Address: Cricket Pavilion, Garon Park, Eastern Avenue, Southend on Sea, Essex SS2 4FA
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