About Us
Community Interest Charity
History of
The Norman Garon Trust
The Norman Garon Trust began its journey in 1982 with broad charitable aims, gradually growing into an organisation with a distinct passion for sport, community, and opportunity. In the 1990s, the Trustees chose to focus their efforts on creating and supporting high-quality sporting and recreational facilities, a commitment that has continued to flourish.
Today, the Trust plays a central role in developing and operating the vibrant sports infrastructure at Garon Park. These facilities span cricket, football, golf in several forms, netball, and the fast-growing game of Paddle Tennis, all delivered either directly or in partnership with Garon Park CIC and commercial collaborators.
Beyond bricks, grass, and playing fields, the Trust also champions a range of community programmes, including sports bursaries and initiatives that promote health, wellbeing, and inclusive activity for individuals with varied abilities.
Our Mission
At the heart of the Norman Garon Trust’s mission is a commitment to reinvesting in the community. The Trust provides grants to a range of charitable organisations working with young people, helping strengthen programmes that nurture ambition, leadership, and personal growth. This dedication to community empowerment is matched by a deep respect for the natural environment.
Over the years, the Trust has invested significantly in enhancing the landscape at Garon Park, creating woodlands, wildlife habitats, and green corridors that encourage biodiversity and offer space for reflection and recreation.Its most recent environmental initiative included the planting of an additional 7,000 trees - a gesture of long-term stewardship and hope.
Together, these efforts reflect the Trust’s belief in building a healthier, stronger, and more connected future.
Karl Hepple
CEO
Karl joined the Trust on 1st April 2024 from Stoke by Nayland Resort, where he has held the position of Director of Golf & Leisure for the past 5 years.
His affiliation with sport, health and wellbeing became apparent early in his childhood where after playing multiple sports, he became golf obsessed. It wasn’t long before he took his passion one step further and began the journey of transitioning his sporting hobbies into a career.
15 years later, Karl now joins the Trust with a vast experience, and an ever growing desire to help others benefit from health, wellbeing and sporting activities.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee
Philip Tolhurst has been involved and successfully managed the Fowler, Smith, and Jones Trusts since 1980.
In 1988 he helped establish and became a founding Trustee of the Norman Garon Trust, and in 1992 conceived and then oversaw the establishment of Garon Park Southend-on-Sea. He is the current Chair of Trustees. Also in 1988 he co-founded the Raleigh Trust which took over the work of Operation Raleigh, and after three years as Managing Trustee was appointed Chair in 1991 a position, he held for a further 14 years.
Meet Our Team
Karl Hepple
CEO
Karl joined the Trust on 1st April 2024 from Stoke by Nayland Resort, where he has held the position of Director of Golf & Leisure for the past 5 years.
His affiliation with sport, health and wellbeing became apparent early in his childhood where after playing multiple sports, he became golf obsessed. It wasn’t long before he took his passion one step further and began the journey of transitioning his sporting hobbies into a career.
15 years later, Karl now joins the Trust with a vast experience, and an ever growing desire to help others benefit from health, wellbeing and sporting activities.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee
Philip Tolhurst has been involved and successfully managed the Fowler, Smith, and Jones Trusts since 1980.
In 1988 he helped establish and became a founding Trustee of the Norman Garon Trust, and in 1992 conceived and then oversaw the establishment of Garon Park Southend-on-Sea. He is the current Chair of Trustees. Also in 1988 he co-founded the Raleigh Trust which took over the work of Operation Raleigh, and after three years as Managing Trustee was appointed Chair in 1991 a position, he held for a further 14 years.
Philip Tolhurst
Trustee
Bob Bye has been involved in the Accountancy profession for over 35 years and is a Qualified Chartered Tax Advisor and until recently a partner in Masons Chartered Accountants before its recent merger with Buckley Watson Ltd, where he now acts as a Consultant.
Bob has been involved with Essex Scouts all his life, both as a Young Person and as an Adult Volunteer for over 40 years, in which position he is currently the Lead Volunteer for Essex Scouts.
Michael Hughes
Trustee
Michael Hughes is a Chartered Surveyor and auctioneer by day, and a weekend farmer where he combines his twin passions of conservation and diversification.
He supports a number of charities and has served as a Trustee on the Norman Garon Trust for nearly 20 years. He is a former Chairman of the Essex Agricultural Society, President of the Essex Agricultural Valuers and continues as Secretary of the Rochford Hundred Agricultural Society.
Paul Stennett
Trustee
Paul Stennett is a career banker, having worked for NatWest Bank for 42 years, latterly as the Head of Credit Risk Systems in the Head Office Credit Function, responsible for the management, development and support of a global credit risk system with teams operating across three continents until his retirement at the end of 2019.
Paul has been a lifelong Scout, progressing from being a Cub through to a Venture Scout and eventually an Adult Volunteer Leader and local chair of trustees. He has been Chairman of Essex Scouts since 1996.
Richard Furlonger
Trustee
Richard Furlonger, qualified at the Royal Agricultural College in the 1970's and took a Master Degree in Business Administration before a change of career from farming to property development in the early 1990's.
Although still involved commercially in the property sector, he spends time on charitable work. In addition to his involvement with the Norman Garon Trust, he sits as a Trustee to Fowler Smith & Jones Trust, an Essex based grant making charity, and Success after Stroke, a Suffolk based charity providing support to stroke survivors.
3rd Floor
Marlborough House
Victoria Street South
Chelmsford
Essex. CM1 1LN
Tel: 01245 809 899
Email: info@normangarontrust.co.uk
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