Rachael Lake BEM
Representative of Surrey County Council. Appointed in 2017
Married for over forty years with two grown up children, Rachael, Ian and family all live in Surrey.
Rachael has been a trustee and past chairman of The Charity since the early nineties. When asked what she found special about the charity she said “being able to financially support Walton Residents follow their passion: “a love of the arts in all its forms”.
Christine Cross
Representative of Elmbridge Borough Council. Appointed in 2021.
Married with 3 Children I moved to Walton On Thames in 1992 and became an Elmbridge Borough Councillor in 2007.
I have always had a keen interest in the local Arts and Culture and was pleased to be given the opportunity earlier this year to become a Trustee of the Charity of Robert Phillips.
Margaret Hicks
Representative of Surrey County Council. Appointed in 1998.
I moved to Hersham in 1983 having lived abroad for 18 years. I was privileged to represent the people of Hersham for 28 years as their Surrey County Councillor. Being a Trustee of the Charity of Robert Phillips for a good number of years, I am able to encourage the arts across all age groups within the Old Parish of Walton especially through my love of music and particularly singing.
Ashley Tilling
Representative of Surrey County Council. Appointed in 2023.
Educated locally at Tiffin School, I earned a scholarship to join the Royal Navy as an engineering officer. I had many interesting postings, particularly those at sea in HMS London, HMS Avenger and HMS Marlborough, where I was fortunate to travel around the Caribbean and east coast of the USA, to Venezuela and Belize, to Gibraltar, and several European ports. I was also appointed to training and MoD roles as well as being the Officer in Charge of a ship’s company refitting ships in Rosyth.
Leaving at a career breakpoint, I then entered a second career as a secondary school physics teacher working up to Head of Department and Senior Management positions.
Married with two children and living in Weybridge from 2003, I was elected as a ward councillor for Weybridge Riverside in 2019 and became the county councillor for Walton South and Oatlands in a by-election in May 2023.
I enjoy singing in a local choir and I am looking forward to supporting a charity dedicated to furthering music and the arts. I have been rowing competitively at Weybridge Rowing Club for many years and I’m still trying to improve my orienteering skills.
Barry Cheyne
Representative of Elmbridge Borough Council. Appointed in 2015.
I have been an Elmbridge Borough Councillor for over 27 years and during that time I have served as a Trustee on numerous local charities including the Charity of Robert Phillips as well as other arts charities and organisations.
I believe that now, more than ever, the arts have an increasingly important role to play across our entire community which is why I am especially proud to be a Trustee of the Charity of Robert Phillips which supports and encourages people from early childhood into old age to take part in the arts at whatever level suits them. Taking part not only enriches their lives but also the lives of those around them and of our wider community.
I also believe that the arts, in all their forms, are not only a reflection of our past, but they also illuminate our present and shine a light on the pathway towards our future
Melvyn Mills
Representative of Elmbridge Borough Council. Re-appointed in 2019.
I was born in Walton and have lived here all of my life. I served as an Elmbridge Councillor for a short period I have been involved in organising and running Walton Heritage Day, and more recently as Community Director of Walton on Thames Trading Alliance (WoTTA), organisers of annual activities in Walton including The Festival of Lights, Remembrance Parade and Heritage Day. I am a member of St Mary's Church in Walton helping with regular activities at St Mary's and St John's Churches and for the wider community.
As a trustee of the charity for some years, I have seen first-hand the way the charity has benefited both individuals and organisations and look forward to working with the community of Walton in the future
Clerk to the Trustees
Moya Tytherleigh
Moya became Clerk to the Charity of Robert Phillips in June 2020. She has two daughters at secondary school. Moya has over 25 years of admin experience and provides advice to the Board of Trustees on constitutional and procedural matters as well as helping support and organise the Trustees with their busy timetable.