PATRON &
TRUSTEES
Co-Founder
John Belham-Payne, RIP
The Doreen Valiente Foundation (DVF) is eternally grateful to John, for founding the DVF on 6th March 2011 as a charitable trust which took legal possession of Doreen’s vast collection of manuscripts and magical artefacts to prevent it from being split up, sold off, or exploited for the gain of any individual.
John worked tirelessly to raise funds to protect and care for Doreen’s collection, host research visits, and present educational talks and lectures. John’s enthusiasm to find a “permanent home” for the collection remains a key priority for the charity because it will provide a platform for Wiccans and Witches, researchers and scholars, authors and historians, and the curious, to visit and enjoy the collection now and forever.
Patron, Doreen Valiente Foundation CBE
Professor Ronald Hutton
A leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. Also the leading historian of the ritual year in Britain and of modern paganism. He is a member of the 'Medieval and Early Modern Cluster' at Bristol. He is awarded CBE for services to history in 2024
Trustee
Emlyn Price
Emlyn worked for 19 years in local government as an Emergency Planning Officer and prepared plans to deal with a wide range of situations from nuclear war to flooding and terrorist incidents. He then became a Business Resilience Consultant working with industry and organisations analysing their preparedness levels. He has been Chair of the Trustee board since 2018.
Trustee
Isobel Andrade
Isobel studied History and Philosophy and has worked as a fortune teller for over 50 years. Isobel co-founded the Congregação Politeista with her husband. She is also the Pagan Federation International Coordinator for Portugal, an Honorary Member of CPS, and a member of the Consultative Committee of the Science of Religions Area (FCSEA / ULHT). In 2016, she become a Trustee of the Doreen Valiente Foundation and in 2022 she was appointed Editor of the biannual DVF Journal.
Trustee
Jon Freedman
An ex-Unilever Brand Manager, with current diverse business interests ranging from Aviation and Property to the design and production of New Age Jewellery and Greeting Cards. Jon was honoured to become a member of the Doreen Valiente Foundation as he sees Doreen as a crucial figure in the development of Wicca and wishes her work to continue to be an inspiration to future generations. Jon is the DVF Business Consultant.
Trustee 2021 – Present
Trustee
Rufus Harrington
Rufus is a consultant Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. He is a Director of Cognitive Behavioural Studies at the University of Cumbria and has trained over 200 psychotherapists to work for the NHS. He provides Occupational Health services to Cumbria Constabulary and runs his own private clinic and consultancy providing psychological services. Rufus is responsible for the charity’s Public Relations (PR) activities and initiatives.
Trustee 2012 - Present
Trustee
Dr Marco Romeo-Pitone
Marco holds a BA in Cultural Heritage, an MA in Archaeology (University of Milan) and a PhD in Archaeology (Newcastle University). His research interests include prehistory, protohistory, archaeology of religion, material culture and museology. Currently, Marco works as Archaeology Service Manager at Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum (Jarrow – UK).
As Head of Collections, Marco’s role within the DVF is to make sure that Doreen’s collection of magical artefacts and manuscripts are managed following curatorial best practice. Trustee from 2021- present