Our Team

TRUSTEES

Nancy Woodhead, (Chair)
Until taking early retirement, Nancy worked in Policy Development for the Scottish Government, initially working in community development and later transport.  With her husband Graham Bell, Nancy  set up and managed Tweed Horizons teaching permaculture, growing and selling organic vegetables.  They now teach permaculture worldwide from their home in Coldstream.

Rosalind McArthur, (Treasurer)
Ros worked The Scottish Borders as European Maritime Fisheries Fund Coordinator and has recently taken on the role of Business Development Specialist at the newly formed South of Scotland Enterprise. She has previously worked at senior levels in corporate banking and brings great knowledge of finance and strategy to the board.

Jenny Haines
Jenny has worked in the third sector for over 25 years. She has worked for a number of organisations including the National Deaf Children’s Society, Volunteering Scotland, Volunteering Matters, EVOC and was Senior Development Officer for BAVS. She has a particular interest and expertise in training, equalities work and governance.

Terri Bearhope
Terri is a volunteer management and development expert and has previously worked for volunteer centres in both Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. She currently heads up the successful BHA BeFriend project.

Tara Wight

Marianne Broadgate

WORKERS

Karen Birch, Chief Officer
Karen, co-founder of Abundant Borders, is an entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in creating and supporting enterprise. In 1995, at the start of the Internet revolution, Karen founded and created an ecommerce company which would become Scotland’s leading Internet retailer. Later she founded an innovative, online magazine for Women in Business, leading to her being nominated as one of Scotland’s most inspirational women in 2018.

An experienced non-executive director, Karen has held board positions including with BBC Trust, Audience Council for Scotland, Scottish Enterprise/Co-operative Development Scotland, Cooperative Business Consultants, Glasgow Women’s Aid and Scottish Women’s Football. Karen is a former Chair at Glasgow Women’s Library. She is a trustee at BAVS and represents Borders Social Enterprises on the South of Scotland Regional Economic Partnership.

Karen completed her Permaculture Design Certificate in 2013 and is responsible for project delivery.

Bill Corbett
Supported by National Lottery Community Fund, Bill joined the team as Volunteer Co-ordinator, working from the Hawick Community Food Garden.

Bill has a strong background in horticulture, having worked in grounds maintenance with Newcastle City Council, at a senior level.  He has also acted as an assessor for NVQs  and holds a youth worker’s certificate.  His experience and knowledge led him to becoming a judge for Britain in Bloom and the Civic Trust Green Flag as well as acting in advisory capacity to the Royal Parks London during their 2006 Transformation and Restructure Programme.

Bill has held volunteering roles, serving as an independent elected member to Newcastle City Council and working with schools and community groups on growing projects.

Pete Saunders
Supported by National Lottery Community Fund, Pete joined the team as Project Co-ordinator.

Pete has had an interest in gardening since his student days.  His predominant interest has been in organic vegetable and fruit production and his approach developed around holistic gardening and habitat provision.

Pete has a history of working with community projects, managing volunteers and community events as well as having a strong background in administration and finance. Over the years he has volunteered in a number of roles, including parish councillor, school governor and editor of a parish newsletter.

Hannah Bell
Supported by Impact Funding Partners, Hannah joined the team as Volunteer Coordinator. She now divides her time between these duties and managing the Kelso Community Garden and supporting Bill at the Hawick Community Garden.

Hannah is a huge asset to the team as we grow and engage with volunteers across the region.

Claire Pencak
Claire manages the Community Food Garden in Duns and supports Hannah as we support volunteers to reach their full potential across the community gardens.

Claire brings fantastic enthusiasm to the team and has been pivotal to our cultural partnerships, bringing storytelling and mindful movement, amongst others, to the community gardens.

Sabina Sekowska
Sabina has a BSc (Hons) degree in Nutrition and years of experience working in the community food projects. She’s very passionate about reducing food waste and food insecurities whilst eating healthy, delicious and sustainable diets. Sabina has volunteered with Abundant Borders for several years, in both food growing and cooking projects, and we are delighted to now have her join the staff team.

ADVISORS

Annie Casey
Annie, co-founder of Abundant Borders, has a strong background in public policy, community development and inclusion programmes. Most recently Annie was General Manager at Comrie Croft with responsibility for all aspects of business management and development.

Annie is a keen grower and cook and is qualified to deliver REHIS accredited courses in Food Hygiene and Cooking Skills. Annie also teaches yoga, is a qualified massage therapist and a former Director with Reforesting Scotland.

Graham Bell
Co Founder Graham Bell, died after a short illness in March 2023.

The author of two books “The Permaculture Way” and “The Permaculture Garden”, Graham’s home was Garden Cottage, which is sited in part of the old walled garden of the Lees Stables, Coldstream. It is a forest garden started from scratch twenty six years ago, and is now sufficiently mature to show the intention of its original design. As well as offering advice and support to Abundant Borders on a voluntary basis, Graham taught the Permaculture Foundation Course to students in Eyemouth at the start of 2017 and in Hawick Spring 2018.

His inspiration remains core to the work of Abundant Borders

You can read more about Graham and his life in and out of permaculture, HERE

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