When the community came together in October 2022, we recognised that we would need a legal structure to operate. We joined the Plunkett Foundation and took their advice on the most appropriate legal model for a community group planning to purchase and operate a pub, as our first project, but with an ability to take on further community projects in the future.
A CBS conducts business entirely for the benefit of the community. We are governed by the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are registered as a Limited Company with Companies House.
We have a published constitution (link) and all members of the Management Committee must sign up to the management code of conduct .
Gilsland Community Benefit Society Limited was formed by three founding members and is composed of the Management Committee supported by a wider Steering Group of volunteers, all drawn from the local community.
Management Committee members are chosen by public vote for a set period in office. The larger Steering Group remains a more fluid collection of individuals who can be called upon for specific tasks relative to the GCBSL requirements at the time and suited to their particular skill set.
Chair
Jane was a Property Asset Manager for 30 years before she ‘retired’ to become a farmer, running Chapel House Farm in Gilsland with her husband Andy since 2021. She has extensive experience of the property landscape: deal structures and negotiations, Landlord/Tenant relationships and agreements. A self-confessed ‘worst cook’ Jane regularly pops into the Samson Inn for meals.
Deputy Chair
David has been a solicitor for over 40 years. He has been a partner in a private practice firm in Midlands for the last 23 years in the public sector in north of England. He is currently with North Tyneside Council working on Commercial Property and Planning.
His legal expertise is invaluable to the GCBSL where he supports the Governance Working Group but also provides legal oversight of all the group’s activities. He has sat as Chair of Waterhead Parish Council for last 20 years.
David and his wife Hilary moved to Gilsland in 2001. In preparation he has taken up learning to play golf as a member of Haltwhistle Golf Club. He also hopes to spend some of this retirement in the Samson Inn.
Treasurer
Nev is an experienced Building Surveyor, project manager and director, specialising in the heritage sector.
Having been employed by the National Trust for 20 years, Nev left to set up his own consultancy 10 years ago.
A long-term resident of Gilsland for 30 years, Nev is a regular customer at the Samson Inn.
Secretary
Colin is a partner in a veterinary practice in Hexham, alongside his wife, Liz.
Since 2004 he has been a small business owner who has a wealth of understanding and experience in finance and general governance of companies.
Moving here in 2009 Colin and his family are very keen to support The Samson as it is within easy walking distance of home.
Vice Chair
Steve, now retired, was a Senior IT Manager with various FTSE-100 companies involved with HR & Payroll outsourcing and Enterprise Architecture
His skill sets and experience in Supplier Management and Contract negotiation are invaluable to GCBSL and his chosen role(s).
Steve has also owned a small farm near Gilsland and having been resident in the area for over 30 years he has an active involvement in voluntary work including Gilsland Agricultural Show, Pennine Way maintenance, Cumbria Geo-conservation and North Pennines Geopark.
County Councillor
Alan is an experienced Estate Manager having worked 42 years for the same company in Northumberland. Working locally managing a lot of land and property in the area, he knows the area and the residents very well.
Living in Haltwhistle all his life, he has been a District and County Councillor serving the village of Gilsland since 1987. Currency the Chairman of Haltwhistle Town Council he has held this position for 25 years.
Serving on many local committees and organisations including School Governor and Chairman of Haltwhistle Swimming and Leisure Centre.
Having resided in Gilsland all his life, Alistair is well known throughout the community, regularly supporting events and good causes.
He sits as a representative on the Village Hall committee.
He has a vast knowledge of the village and its outlying areas as well as its residents
Neill has over 30 years’ IT experience, working mainly for large blue-chip companies in the Public and Private sectors and is currently working as a Business Analyst in Carlisle.
Living in Gilsland for the past 5 years, he has several years’ experience in hospitality, running his own businesses in UK and France.
Living in Gilsland for 2.5 years, Bella brings a sense of organisation and enthusiasm to the group.
With a 20-year background in various IT roles in the Finance and Recruitment sectors, currently as Global Service Manager, she and partner Chris support the running of the Communications Team.
Chris has a degree in Business Computing and has worked for IT Service Providers, Finance Companies and Recruitment companies in the IT field, over the last 25 years.
He is a personal licence holder and has worked in the hospitality sector as a student including cocktail parties for the British Embassy in Germany
Gilsland born & bred, John manages the family sheep farm in Gilsland.
A regular around the village John has a strong sense of ‘village community’ regularly supporting events, he acts as a conduit in maintaining vital communications throughout farming community.
Michael has spent all his working life in sales and marketing, achieving positions in sales management in several parts of the UK, ultimately in 1988 taking over a South London based security company.
He has been resident in Gilsland since 2014 and was frequent customer of the nearby Samson Inn.
Andi has lived for 38 years in Gilsland and owns the House of Meg tearooms, where he has served the locals and visitors alike to delicious home cooked treats for 17 years.
An avid keep fit fanatic and runner, completing the Great North Run an amazing 13 times for various charities, Andi also runs Gilsland Youth Club and has served a term as a Village Hall committee member.
Andi has vast experience in hospitality and actually ran the Samson Inn for 5 years. This time spent behind the bar gave Andi the insight to recognise the potential and value to the village. He sees the pub complimenting his offer giving customers even more choice for food & beverages.
Vigo is a self-employed builder & landscaper. He worked for 22 years in various locations on Hadrian’s Wall with The National Trust, National Park & English Heritage.
He also worked behind the bar at both Gilsland Spa Hotel & The Samson Inn for 5 Years but would also sit at the other side of the bar on many occasions.
It was Vigo who initiated the first village meeting to Save Our Samson and he has been integral to the groups activities from day one. He is also part of local band – playing in local venues, one of which he hopes could be the Samson Inn again.
With an MBA degree, Donella has spent many years managing small businesses including her own tourism business and farm. She has been the secretary ofboth Gilsland Agricultural Show and Cumberland County Show.
She is currently a volunteer for English Heritage at Birdoswald Roman Fort and is active providing guided walks around the area. She brings business planning/management as well as People management skills to the group.
With extensive knowledge of Farm management and accounting she is key in supporting the Business & Risk working group. She lived on the nearby farm at Warcarr, Gilsland for 34 years before moving into the village in 2021.
Retired from the Police and Armed Forces, Andy now runs Chapel House Farm with His wife Jane, when they moved to Gilsland in the middle of the Covid Pandemic in March 2021.
Andy is a great ‘people person’, he can talk and deal with everyone. He would frequent the Samson Inn on a regular basis, living only 2 fields away. He also is keen to ensure the Samson will provide a hot meal / cool drink to campers who visit his farm in the summer months
Clare worked for 30 years in Energy Management & Sustainability with a key focus on Carbon Mitigation.
She recently retired in 2022 to start her own business running a local Bed & Breakfast in Gilsland. She has great organisational & analytical skills and vast experience in developing sustainability strategies for a range of commercial and industrial sectors. Qualified as CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant with BSC(Hons) Environmental Science she also has developed, implemented and audited a range of energy & environmental management systems certified to ISO14001, ISO50001.
Clare likes to get things done, she is enthusiastic and positive, good with people and loves a challenge. Having lived in Gilsland for 16 years, she has a passion for ‘community’ and started Gilsland Youth Club 10 years ago and has sat as Village Hall Treasurer for 12 years.
Having spent many nights in the Samson Inn as a customer she is keen to revitalise the pub but also understands the urgent need for a venue which serves food. This is vital to support Gilsland as a tourist destination as well as the hospitality and supply chain businesses nearby.
Gary is currently a Group Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Manager for a major UK Construction company and also provides Consultancy services. He is very friendly and approachable and highly skilled in his field working within Manufacturing, retail, leisure and tourism, Agriculture.
Supporting the Buildings and operation working group with Nev, Gary brings a wealth of expertise to understand the work required in bringing the Samson Inn back to life and the ongoing maintenance requirements to maintain operational compliance
48 years in the hospitality industry. Have managed many kitchens. Have designed and project managed kitchen builds in both refurbished and new build property, including the Samson Inn.
City and Guild Qualified Chef, have worked as a Head Chef for over 35 years in hotels, restaurants and pubs.
A project management professional with over 20 years’ experience working with large national companies in both public and private sector. Particular experience in coordinating varied workstreams and managing Health and Safety through risk management
