Professor Peter Waldron

Chairperson of The Papillon Project

Peter has spent his career as an academic historian, specialising in the history of modern Russia. He grew up in north east England and was a student in London, as well as spending time studying and working in Finland and the then Soviet Union. He taught at the University of East Anglia for nearly 15 years, publishing widely on Russian history, and is now emeritus professor of history. As a counterweight to the world of books and archives, Peter has always had a strong attachment to the outdoors, enjoying hiking, running and cycling. The north Norfolk coast is a particular favourite while, further afield – and as a contrast to the East Anglian landscape – the Swiss Alps have always been a challenge. Committed to sustainability and to the importance of rounded and broad education, he is keen to offer support to the Papillon Project.

Dr Diane Davies MBE

Trustee, Treasurer and Administrator of The Papillon Project

Diane started her career working in a bank and continued in the accounts’ offices of various companies, before starting her own business in administration. Having left school at 15 with no qualifications, she studied for a degree with the Open University before obtaining a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Hertfordshire. She regularly volunteered with various charities and became involved in The Royal Institution’s Masterclass Programme, subsequently working at The Ri and becoming Clothworker’s Fellow in Mathematics, responsible for the Mathematics programme and introducing Engineering and Computer Science Programmes.  Diane is also the Manager of the English Schools’ Orchestra, a charity offering opportunities in orchestral playing for the very best young orchestral players aged 13 to 18 around the UK, and has been Treasurer for a Scout Group for over 30 years, so has been involved in young people’s charities for most of her life. Her hobbies are gardening and craft, so The Papillon Project is an exciting development and any help she can provide to the project is willingly given.

Sarah Seery MCIHort MCCT

Trustee of The Papillon Project

Sarah is an experienced and qualified Horticulture teacher and worked at Capel Manor College in London for 14 years; teaching Horticulture and Landscaping, Head of School for Horticulture and then leading on the quality of Teaching and Learning by supporting teachers to develop and advance their skills.  Before working at the college Sarah worked in the Horticulture industry as a career changer.

Sarah had 5 amazing years working at Natural England delivering projects to enable more effective delivery of nature conservation at many of England’s beautiful nature reserves.

Sarah has been a lifelong volunteer for several charities; 24 years for Crisis the homelessness charity, Norwich Open Christmas, The Harington Scheme, TCV, Groundwork and 2 stints volunteering in India and Tanzania.

Sarah has strong belief and passion for connecting people to nature and how being outdoors adds beneficial health and wellbeing to our lives.

It is the vision of The Papillon Project that Sarah is inspired by; supporting children, young people and the wider community to enjoy the outdoors by learning, working together and to lead more sustainable, ethical and healthier lives.  Sarah feels it is a huge privilege to be part of this.

Thomas Greenwood

Trustee of The Papillon Project

Thomas join The Papillon Project as a Trustee at the beginning of 2023. Thomas is passionate for the outdoors and thoroughly enjoys spending time at his allotment in Norwich. Thomas' wide educational experience greatly aids the strategical planning of our charitable work.

Matt Willer BEM

Project Lead & DSL

Matt, who has over 20 years of experience working with young people, was born and raised in West Sussex. Here he attended school at Oathall Community College which, unlike most state schools, had (and still has!) a working school farm and market gardens. This gave Matt a very memorable experience of being at school and one that impacts him positively to this very day.

Matt studied history at the University of East Anglia, which included environmental history. He was particularly interested in the ‘wood shortage crisis’ which emerged during the early modern period. As a postgraduate, Matt completed fieldwork in post-war Bosnia to study how natural surroundings might help heal the wounds of war. Since university, he has worked and taught in rural Uganda where local food is grown because, with no local supermarkets, there was no alternative! In a previous life, Matt worked as a water sports instructor for many years working with children of all ages and abilities. Matt has also had the privilege of working for the New Zealand Red Cross in Christchurch following the earthquakes there.

With great interest, Matt has also visited Cuba to see the island’s success at growing food locally, without fossil fuels. He has also held an allotment in Norwich (Bluebell Allotments), and has completed an ‘Introduction to Permaculture’ course and holds a certificate in Permaculture Design 

From 2013-2018, Matt was a full time humanities teacher at Reepham High School & College. It was during this time at this school that Matt decided to attempt to create a school allotment to inspire his students. After five years of non-stop work, and with the help of many amazing people, 'The Allotment Project' became a nationally recognised and celebrated secondary school allotment which subsequently won multiple awards. Alongside this, Matt has also had the huge privilege of taking many teenagers across The English Channel and North Sea onboard The Excelsior with The Excelsior Trust, sometimes in very choppy seas!

In 2018 his work and efforts at Reepham High School & College won him the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's ‘School Gardening Champion of the Year’ award, which included meeting HRH The Prince of Wales. You can get a very clear sense of why Matt is ‘positively bonkers’ about trying to engage the next generation to grow their own food by viewing this nomination video (made without his knowledge) at the end of this bio. 

Matt went on to win the 'Norwich and Norfolk Eco Hero Award', by public vote in 2019 with over 3000 people voting for him. He has published many articles, spoken publicly about his work and has made numerous TV appearances, including live on BBC Breakfast national news.

In 2019, Matt left full-time teaching to set up the charity 'The Papillon Project'. The multi-awarding winning 'Allotment Project' which Matt began in 2015 at Reepham High School & College, in many respects, was the 'accidental pilot' project that inspired Matt to create 'The Papillon Project' so he, and others, can help other secondary schools and colleges in Norfolk to also inspire children and young people to lead more sustainable lives too!

In 2023, Matt was invited by the Royal Horticultural Society to be a judge for the national 'Campaign for School Gardeners awards' alongside 'Green Fingered George' and BBC Gardeners' World presenter Frances Tophill.

On the importance of engaging young people at school with gardening, Matt says:

“Going to school simply has to be more about just tests and exams. These are, of course, really important, but, encouraging and skilling our children and young people to lead lives that work with, and not against, nature is of the greatest urgency… The Papillon Project is all about doing this across Norfolk, by supporting High Schools and their local communities to set up an allotment project.

A school allotment is a place for young people, designed with them and to inspire them, so they can inspire each other to grow their own food and so help to restore and work with nature, mediate the impact of climate change and promote their own physical and mental well-being.” 

In 2024, Matt was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (also known as the British Empire Medal or BEM) for services to young people in the New Years Honours List 2024.

Matt lives with his wife and son on a small-holding in rural North Norfolk along with some lovely animals too!

Harriet Watson

Deputy Project Lead & Alternative DSL

Harriet joined the charity since May 2021 and is professional gardener alongside a school gardening teacher. Harriet is currently supporting schools in South Norfolk and in Norwich.

Harriet, who holds a certificate in horticulture from the Royal Horticultural Society, has also worked in New Zealand as a professional gardener and has volunteered at organic farms there too. Throughout her career, Harriet has gained wide experience with working with children and young people from the age of 9 to 17.

Harriet has lived in Norfolk for 20 years and, as well as horticulture, has a background in creative arts and enjoy the challenge of transforming spaces. 

Emily Mildren

Deputy Project Lead & Alternative DSL

Cynthia Guillemin

Events Lead

I bring a decade of experience as a teaching assistant, having worked in various primary schools across the UK.

As someone who tends to my own garden, I deeply appreciate the rewards of growing fresh vegetables and fostering a thriving habitat for wildlife. It’s a source of immense joy and fulfillment for me!

Volunteering for charities that support young people has always been a significant part of my life. Since my early 20s, I have traveled the world to contribute to incredible causes that make a profound difference in the well-being of young people. I am delighted to continue this meaningful journey here in Norfolk with The Papillon Project.'

Amelia Platt

Editor of The Kaleidoscope

Amelia grew up in the beautiful Norfolk village of Harpley. She first encountered the Papillion Project when she arrived at Reepham Sixth Form to study English Literature, History and Sociology. After getting the allotment bug in Year 12, she took over the running of the allotment as a Student Lead in Year 13 and had an incredible time! After leaving sixth form to study English at Cambridge University, Amelia continued to stay in touch with the Project, helping with the communications side. This year, Amelia has moved to York to pursue a Masters in English Literary Studies at the University of York. Amelia is so excited to be taking over the editing of the Kaleidoscope magazine and to be once again involved with the Papillion Project – a charity that has given her so much. She hopes she can continue the incredible work done by her predecessor Alice and share all the amazing things the Project does, year in, year out. In her spare time, Amelia loves reading, writing and being outdoors with her siblings! She particularly loves going for long walks in the countryside and camping.