The Trustees

The Agreement (1989) establishing a permanent gallery for the Ashington Group collection of paintings at Woodhorn Colliery Museum, was originally between Oliver Kilbourn (who held the collection in trust from all the other painters) and Wansbeck District Council.

Under the terms of the Agreement there is a co-trustee (Bill Feaver) who has the power of veto and must be consulted about the paintings in the collection, including their disposal if there is a serious default in their management.

The present Trustees are:

Management Trustee

Ian Lavery: MP for Wansbeck, Former President of the National Union of Mineworkers (Chairman of the Trustees)

Bill Feaver: Painter writer critic. The original co-trustee and author of Pitmen Painters.

Anne Bacon: former Head of Conservation, Northumbria University

George Laidler: son of group member Fred Laidler. The members were part of his life from childhood.

Roy Stephenson: Son of George Stephenson original co-trustee and champion of the Ashington Group.

Dr Narbi Price: Renowned Tyneside painter and academic.