Meet our trustees

David Eagle

David has been a committee member of the Naze Protection Society since the start in 1997, and Acting Chair since 2018 on the retirement of David Gager, his predecessor. The 20 years of experience prior to becoming Chair saw the charity deliver Crag Walk and develop its partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and local stakeholders. This developed the knowledge and network that are now proving invaluable in steering the charity in its role to reduce the impact of erosion on the Naze, which is accelerating as a result of a changing climate.

David’s family has farmed on the Naze since the 1880s. The experience from the 1953 flood, which broke the farm’s sea walls, created a deep respect for the sea and the environment. This carries through to today when the farm has converted to organic to enhance the farm’s ability to enhance the biodiversity that is so important to the Naze and the Hamford Water National Nature Reserve.

David is a member of the Walton Frinton Yacht Club and sits on the Hamford Water Management Committee, Walton Fairways Committee, and Essex Coastal Organisation, all of which bring local and coastal knowledge, contacts, and experience to his role as Acting Chair of Naze Protection Society.

Barrie Butcher

Barrie grew up in Essex and first came to The Naze around 1955 with his parents on a day trip. They enjoyed it so much that they continued regularly to visit, and when Barry’s grandmother-in-law bought a beach hut in Walton, Barry and his wife, Sue, would visit with their own family as they were growing up.

Barrie’s career moved around trying different things and travelling. Eventually, Barrie and Sue settled in Wales, buying a camping and activity centre for children. Here, children had the opportunity to experiment with outdoor pursuits such as archery, canoeing, and horse riding. They ran this business for 9 years, following which they returned to Essex and bought another business, an arable farm around 100 acres in size and installed fishing lakes. They ran it as a recreational fishing business for around 19 years. They retired after this to Walton and now live on The Naze, behind the tower.

When they came to retire, it was the only place they wanted to live. Barrie asked his neighbour what he could do to get involved in the community, and she suggested the Naze Protection Society. The rest is history.

Roger Parker

It was immediately after WW2 that Roger’s father and uncle bought their bit of England, growing food for The Ministry of Agriculture as directed. Growing up in the Tendring area, Roger enjoyed the backwaters, family picnics and the Boy Scout Movement. Exploring the Naze was always a magnet, walking the whole length of the old tamarisk wall, exploring the old pill boxes and gun emplacements (on top of the cliffs at that time).  What a lot has been lost! Boating then became a hobby, again the backwaters or Arthur Ransome’s Secret Water came to the fore and inspired the spirit of adventure in the young family; nowadays it is sitting in the yacht club watching others on the water.

After leaving school Roger studied at Writtle Agricultural College and then became heavily involved in turning the family business into a retail garden centre. Roger’s four children are all involved in local business one of which is Hamford Farming, recently instrumental in rebuilding part of the sea wall at the end of Quay lane in Kirby le Soken. Roger became a trustee of The Naze Protection Society about three years ago and was delighted to be invited.