Who we are

We are a group of academics, researchers, archaeologists and art-lovers linked by a respect for Clarence’s life achievements and output. Our not-for-profit activities are designed to bring Clarence to the attention of a wider public, initially in France, Italy, UK and USA then world-wide. This web site and the Clarence Bicknell Association generate book publication, papers on specific subjects (on this web site, click “documents”) video, film, exhibitions, conferences and seminars. Is he a forgotten Renaissance man of the 19th century? Is he a great archaeologist or botanist? Was he an outstanding exponent of arts and crafts? You decide.

Most of the officers of the Clarence Bicknell Association were elected at the first General Meeting of the association (consult the minutes here) on 17th May 2014 in the Museo Bicknell in Bordighera, Italy, and others have joined us since. As of 2024 the members are…

Chairman Marcus Bicknell Clarence relation, researcher, retired from a career in music, media and technology. Student of all things Clarence and webmaster of this site. Based northwest of London, UK
Vice-Chairman Graham Avery Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, Honorary Director-General of the European Commission, Brussels, Vice-Chairman and Companion of the Clarence Bicknell Association, author of many documents published on the Association’s website. Based in Oxford and Florence.
Treasurer Vanessa Bicknell Runs a self catering apartment, massage therapist, and spiritual and small business life coach with her husband Renchi. From July 2018
Secretary Susie Bicknell Writer, researcher in art and Clarence’s community in Bordighera. Based northwest of London, UK
Committee member Christopher Chippindale Archaeologist, writer, researcher specialising in Clarence Bicknell. Based in Cambridge
Committee member Renchi Bicknell
Artist in Glastonbury
Committee member Helen Blanc-Francard Writer, researcher, garden expert. Based north of Paris.
Committee member Titus Bicknell Exhibitions, conferences, new media professional, Washington DC. From January 2015. http://www.titusbicknell.com/
Committee member Prof. Humphrey Tonkin
University of Hartford, CT, USA, Professor of English and a dedicated speaker of Esperanto. He has translated and assisted the publication of Clarence Bicknell’s works in Esperanto. Since 2023
Committee member Prof. Nick Ray Emeritus Fellow of Architecture at Jesus College Cambridge and professor of architecture at the University of Cambridge. Descended from Elhanan Bicknell. From 2023
Committee member Tamsin Treverton Jones A published author, a writer of alternative historical narratives, and a librettist. She has advised on fund-raising initiatives such as exhibitions of Clarence’s work. From 2023

We greatly regret that co-founder Valerie Lester, author of MARVELS – The Life of Clarence Bicknell (2018) and other books died on 7th June 2019. Her daughter Alison Lester, also a writer, served as a committee member from 2019 to 2023 and we thank her for her warm presence and her help.

You can read complete biographies of these association officers, complete with photos, in the second half of the minutes. Others expertise that we lack (partly), and where we would be grateful for offers of help are a) international art exhibition budgeting, logistics and management, b) writing of applications for EU funding, c) cultural TV documentary programme producers in various European countries.

In 2020 the Association honoured a number of important people who have contributed to recording and publicising the work and culture of Clarence Bicknell around the world. The persons listed below have been elected as Companions of the Clarence Bicknell Association…

  • Giuseppe Bessone
  • Julian Bicknell
  • Sue Bicknell, widow of Basil Bicknell
  • Raffaella Bruzzone
  • Maddalena Cataldi
  • Jean-Félix Gandioli
  • Dssa. Daniela Gandolfi
  • Carolyn Hanbury
  • Alison Lester
  • Prof. Mauro Mariotti
  • Elisabetta Massardo
  • Gisella Merello
  • Nick Ray
  • Claudia Roggero
  • Giovanni Russo
  • Ursula Salghetti Drioli
  • Humphrey Tonkin
  • Tamsin Treverton Jones
  • Selby Whittingham

Please contact us with your suggestions and expectations. Your first point of contact is Marcus Bicknell, Chairman of the Clarence Bicknell Association at Homefarm Orchard, Threehouseholds, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4LP. Phone +44 1494 872751 mobile +44 7748 111444 email info@clarencebicknell.com, skype mbicknell.

He and the Association will keep all parties informed of the response and the specific plans as they develop.

Your participation in the Association is invited (see membership application form and payment methods on this web site).