Scott Harrison
Chairman of the Trustees
Scott Harrison was a student at East Barnet Grammar School. He studied history at Lancaster University and was awarded an M.Litt for his research on ‘The Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536-7’. He taught in comprehensive schools in Lancashire, Essex and Cheshire before returning to London to take up a post as a local authority advisor. During this time, he was also chief examiner of GCSE history and an author of school textbooks. Scott was an HMI from 1990 to 2009, with roles including specialist advisor for history and citizenship education. Since retiring from OFSTED, he has worked as a consultant, providing support in schools in England, Europe and the Middle East, and for trainee teachers. He is a governor at two secondary schools, including East Barnet School.
Scott Harrison was a student at East Barnet Grammar School. He studied history at Lancaster University and was awarded an M.Litt for his research on ‘The Pilgrimage of Grace, 1536-7’. He taught in comprehensive schools in Lancashire, Essex and Cheshire before returning to London to take up a post as a local authority advisor. During this time, he was also chief examiner of GCSE history and an author of school textbooks. Scott was an HMI from 1990 to 2009, with roles including specialist advisor for history and citizenship education. Since retiring from OFSTED, he has worked as a consultant, providing support in schools in England, Europe and the Middle East, and for trainee teachers. He is a governor at two secondary schools, including East Barnet School.
Terence Atkins
Vice-Chairman
Terence Atkins has been involved with Barnet Museum for over twenty years. He has supported the production of the most recent the Barnet Museum calendar and the first in 1997. He has given talks to a variety of local groups on a wide range of topics, including the 1950s, John Betjeman, picture postcards and various aspects of road and rail transport. Terence moved to Barnet in January 1976 following his appointment as Organist and Choirmaster of St John the Baptist Parish Church. He attended Buckhurst Hill County High School, then the Royal College of Music, where he served two years as organ scholar at St George’s, Windsor, thanks to the excellent teaching at the RCM, not least by Dr William Lloyd Webber. Currently he is President of the Enfield and District Organists’ Association, which encompasses North London and Hertfordshire.
Terence Atkins has been involved with Barnet Museum for over twenty years. He has supported the production of the most recent the Barnet Museum calendar and the first in 1997. He has given talks to a variety of local groups on a wide range of topics, including the 1950s, John Betjeman, picture postcards and various aspects of road and rail transport. Terence moved to Barnet in January 1976 following his appointment as Organist and Choirmaster of St John the Baptist Parish Church. He attended Buckhurst Hill County High School, then the Royal College of Music, where he served two years as organ scholar at St George’s, Windsor, thanks to the excellent teaching at the RCM, not least by Dr William Lloyd Webber. Currently he is President of the Enfield and District Organists’ Association, which encompasses North London and Hertfordshire.
Mike Noronha
Curator and Trustee
Mike Noronha was born in Nairobi, Kenya, came to England in 1966. He lived in Hornsey and attended St Aloysius’ RC College in Highgate. He moved to Barnet in 1996. He worked in the (then) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), first in Companies Investigation, then in Internal Audit and finally at The Innovation Unit. He returned to auditing at the Department of International Development (DfID) where he became the Head of Internal Audit. After leaving DfID, he worked briefly at HM Treasury and the Food Standards Agency. Mike was the Director of Internal Audit at the Imperial War Museum before taking early retirement. Mike joined Barnet Museum and Local History Society as Treasurer and a Trustee in 2010 and was appointed formally as Curator when the charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2018/19. Mike has co-authored four books on military history in Chipping Barnet. His interests include sports; he is an armchair supporter of West Ham United. He enjoys classical music and is a huge fan of Elvis Presley.
Mike Noronha was born in Nairobi, Kenya, came to England in 1966. He lived in Hornsey and attended St Aloysius’ RC College in Highgate. He moved to Barnet in 1996. He worked in the (then) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), first in Companies Investigation, then in Internal Audit and finally at The Innovation Unit. He returned to auditing at the Department of International Development (DfID) where he became the Head of Internal Audit. After leaving DfID, he worked briefly at HM Treasury and the Food Standards Agency. Mike was the Director of Internal Audit at the Imperial War Museum before taking early retirement. Mike joined Barnet Museum and Local History Society as Treasurer and a Trustee in 2010 and was appointed formally as Curator when the charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2018/19. Mike has co-authored four books on military history in Chipping Barnet. His interests include sports; he is an armchair supporter of West Ham United. He enjoys classical music and is a huge fan of Elvis Presley.
Bob Langley
Trustee
Bob Langley has been volunteering at Barnet Museum for over 20 years. His background is in technical theater and Trade Shows, working in over forty countries around the world. Bob has also worked in the Imperial War Museum, London Canal Museum and The Old Operating Theater. He was on the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) theatre archeology committee, so it will come as no surprise that his main interests are both theatre and transport. At Barnet Museum, he is responsible for our Physic Well and can been seen on the Museum floor on Saturdays.
Bob Langley has been volunteering at Barnet Museum for over 20 years. His background is in technical theater and Trade Shows, working in over forty countries around the world. Bob has also worked in the Imperial War Museum, London Canal Museum and The Old Operating Theater. He was on the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) theatre archeology committee, so it will come as no surprise that his main interests are both theatre and transport. At Barnet Museum, he is responsible for our Physic Well and can been seen on the Museum floor on Saturdays.
Guy Wheatcroft
Trustee
Guy Wheatcroft is the Managing Director of Horizon Law. Guy graduated with an Honours Degree in Law from Southampton University, and qualified as a solicitor in 1980. His passion for property and law at the highest level led him to develop his legal practice with a major City of London law firm. Prior to taking over at Horizon Law, Guy together with his wife Jane ran their own property development business, undertaking a number of schemes in North London and Hertfordshire. Living and working in the Barnet and Hadley Wood area leads to Guy developing close links with the local community. He was appointed as a trustee to the Barnet Museum, where he has provided pro bono legal advice in connection with securing the Museum’s long-term future at the heart of the community.
Guy Wheatcroft is the Managing Director of Horizon Law. Guy graduated with an Honours Degree in Law from Southampton University, and qualified as a solicitor in 1980. His passion for property and law at the highest level led him to develop his legal practice with a major City of London law firm. Prior to taking over at Horizon Law, Guy together with his wife Jane ran their own property development business, undertaking a number of schemes in North London and Hertfordshire. Living and working in the Barnet and Hadley Wood area leads to Guy developing close links with the local community. He was appointed as a trustee to the Barnet Museum, where he has provided pro bono legal advice in connection with securing the Museum’s long-term future at the heart of the community.
Dennis Bird
Trustee
Dennis Bird was born in Hackney brought up in South Lancashire when there were pits, cotton mills, railways and the Busby Babes. He has lived in Barnet since 1975. He has an Economics degree amongst other qualifications. Now retired, Dennis was a teacher for 15 years and then ran his own business as an Investment Adviser. Dennis has been a Barnet Museum volunteer for many years. He has written several articles for the Newsletter and given a variety of talks. He has just completed a Barnet Timeline with at least one event happening for every day of the year in our town. He is mainly interested in landscape and transport history but he finds all local history fascinating. He also cycles a lot and regularly disappears to Old Trafford and Lords. He is married to Sue and they have two sons, a daughter and three grandsons.
Dennis Bird was born in Hackney brought up in South Lancashire when there were pits, cotton mills, railways and the Busby Babes. He has lived in Barnet since 1975. He has an Economics degree amongst other qualifications. Now retired, Dennis was a teacher for 15 years and then ran his own business as an Investment Adviser. Dennis has been a Barnet Museum volunteer for many years. He has written several articles for the Newsletter and given a variety of talks. He has just completed a Barnet Timeline with at least one event happening for every day of the year in our town. He is mainly interested in landscape and transport history but he finds all local history fascinating. He also cycles a lot and regularly disappears to Old Trafford and Lords. He is married to Sue and they have two sons, a daughter and three grandsons.
Helen Downes
Trustee
With a degree in History of Art and an MA in Museum Studies, Helen has spent over 20 years working in curatorial and collections management roles in National and University Museums and brings this experience, together with a love of history, to the role of Trustee. Helen has lived in Barnet for 15 years and provided support as Barnet Museum's Mentor since 2019.
With a degree in History of Art and an MA in Museum Studies, Helen has spent over 20 years working in curatorial and collections management roles in National and University Museums and brings this experience, together with a love of history, to the role of Trustee. Helen has lived in Barnet for 15 years and provided support as Barnet Museum's Mentor since 2019.
Charlie Cullis
Trustee
Charlie is Barnet born and educated and now lives in New Barnet with his family. Charlie discovered the Museum when visiting with his children and has been supporting visitors at weekends for the past 5 years. He is an invaluable member of the maintenance team, ensuring that displays are up for all to enjoy. His interests are aviation history, particularly the cold war era. Charlie enjoys hiking and art history having previously worked at The National Gallery.
Charlie is Barnet born and educated and now lives in New Barnet with his family. Charlie discovered the Museum when visiting with his children and has been supporting visitors at weekends for the past 5 years. He is an invaluable member of the maintenance team, ensuring that displays are up for all to enjoy. His interests are aviation history, particularly the cold war era. Charlie enjoys hiking and art history having previously worked at The National Gallery.
Hannah Lawence
Trustee
Hannah has lived in Barnet for most of her life and is passionate about its history and sense of community. She is an editor and communications professional who previously worked for BBC radio and television, and currently works for the global learning company Pearson. She is also a trustee of Barnet Vale’s Friends of Tudor Park and Pavilion, which is working to transform a dilapidated pavilion into a community cafe and space.