John Puddy
Chair
John trained as an engineer with EMI before moving into boat and ship repair and, ultimately, running his own marine business. As Lundy Island’s agent for 14 years, he pioneered several firsts: the UK’s first stand-alone wind turbine (1983), the country’s first statutory marine reserve, and the island’s sole passenger‑ferry service.
A longtime advocate for social impact and STEM learning, he has served as a director of both the Amber Foundation (which supports people out of homelessness, addiction, and prison) and Greenpower (a national engineering‑skills programme for young people).
In 2010, John discovered SS Freshspring languishing in a breakers’ yard and resolved to save her. He gathered a small core team, secured charitable status (2013) and has championed the ship’s twin missions ever since: immersive education and a full return to operational service.
Annemarie Shillito
Deputy Chair
With a BSc in Oceanography from Swansea University and a career spanning regional journalism to senior corporate‑relations posts for an international firm, Annemarie now works as a freelance sustainability and income‑generation consultant.
Since settling back in North Devon in 2015, she has helped The Plough Arts Centre exceed its Arts Council funding target, led a social‑prescribing pilot for Torridge, and delivered arts‑and‑health programmes for One Northern Devon and the Burton Gallery.
Introduced to SS Freshspring while advising on fundraising, she quickly became an indispensable trustee, writing bids, shaping strategic plans and rolling up her sleeves at open days and events.
Stephen Attenborough
Secretary & Conservator
After reading about the vessel's plight, an engineering graduate and long-standing volunteer at the Cambridge Museum of Technology, Stephen co-founded the SS Freshspring Trust.
He steered the successful charity‑registration process in May 2013, secured crucial National Heritage Memorial Fund support to move the ship safely to Bideford, and still oversees the conservation strategy.
Now a Product Assurance Manager for an engineering firm in Barnstaple, Stephen devotes most Sundays to Freshspring, recruiting and mentoring volunteers, supervising “hands-on” work parties, and guiding long-term preservation plans.
Brian Gooding
PR & Publications
Brian spent 15 years in the airline industry before following his passion for historic transport into journalism. He has edited several specialist titles and, more than 20 years ago, launched Vintage Spirit magazine, which he now owns outright.
Meeting John Puddy on a 2011 visit to the then‑derelict Freshspring made Brian a founding trustee. Although based 200 miles away, he produces the Trust’s quarterly magazine and handles much of its publicity.
He has also been a trustee and hands-on operator at Hollycombe Working Steam Museum for over four decades. He also edits the house journals of the National Transport Trust, Historic Commercial Vehicle Society and Road Roller Association.
Bill Blythe
Treasurer
A Chartered Accountant, Bill has held senior finance roles across local and central government and the further‑education sector. He is Vice‑Principal (Finance, Resources & Regional Affairs) at Petroc College, President of Barnstaple & District Chamber of Commerce, Director of the South West Institute of Technology, and a member of the LEP Skills Advisory Panel.
Bill champions experiential learning and sees SS Freshspring as a unique platform to ignite historic and modern marine engineering interest.
Away from spreadsheets and steam, he is working towards his RYA Yacht master qualification, supports AFC Bideford and The Plough Theatre, and enjoys North Devon’s coast with his two dogs.
Michael Teare
Trustee
Michael trained as a marine ecologist, specialising in estuarine mudflats, but built his career in international medical‑device sales and marketing, eventually managing a UK and Ireland turnover of £20 million for a Danish firm.
Since moving to Bideford, he has immersed himself in local heritage, becoming the lead author of A History of East‑the‑Water, Bideford (2021) and driving the Way of the Wharves research project.
Michael’s collaboration with SS Freshspring bridges the two charities, enriching public understanding of the town’s maritime history and supporting joint education projects.
Richard Slack CEng FIMechE
Engineering Trustee
A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Richard holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Brunel University (1982). His career began at Rolls-Royce in aero‑engine development, followed by senior roles at Foster Wheeler, which focused on pumps, steam turbines, and power‑station steam systems.
Semi-retirement—and gentle persuasion from John Puddy—brought Richard to SS Freshspring’s engine room, where he now applies four decades of steam‑plant expertise to restoring the ship’s machinery and mentoring the wider engineering team.
