Meet the team

I have worked at Bore Place since 2012 and my role now is Community and Education Programmes Manager, creating opportunities for everyone to visit Bore Place. I work with lots of incredibly inspiring people to produce our programme of community events which includes guided wildlife walks, talks, art courses and family days, as well as supporting our volunteer programmes and coordinating trips for schools to come and explore nature and the farm. 

Becky is an experienced special needs teacher, and one of the lead tutors at our Short Breaks Sessions which is specifically designed to provide a fun and safe environment for young people with addtional needs, increasing social interaction and independence whilst exploring the farm and encouraging a love of the natural world.

I joined Bore Place in September 2019. I trained firstly as a Conductor (specialist in Conductive Education) and secondly a specialist teacher for children with SEN, and I’ve worked across a range of school settings including the charity and public sectors. I also recently worked for a year in a refugee camp in Greece where I ran a school that was based in the camp, and this experience has been invaluable to me both professionally and personally.

I have a strong belief that everyone has the ability to learn and progress, given the correct amount of support and time to embed skills and experiences. I am a devoted professional and strive to ensure that all learning is purposeful and that all young people have opportunities to share their opinions. I firmly believe that education is about the whole personality, not just academic activities. My aim within a session is that every young person feels valued, respected and secure, and then the activities become a source of happiness and learning.

I have a keen eye for identifying areas that can be improved for wheelchair users especially, with regard to access and opportunities for them to be as independent as possible. I also have a lot of experience working with young people who are non-verbal, and I try to ensure that communication can be two way, that their voices are heard, and they can independently share ideas with the group through a range of alternative communication pathways such as Makaton/signing, symbols or high-tech communication devices. 

Being brought up in the gorgeous Kent countryside as part of a farming family, I have a strong passion for nature and getting young people outside and engaging with the most beautifully sensory environment. It is key for future generations that we educate young people about reducing the impact we have on our natural world and helping them access interests in the natural world.

My role is to help host our guests to ensure they have an enjoyable, comfortable stay. We endevour to use environmentally friendly products and natural alternatives to harsh chemicals to minimise our impact on the environment.

Having been fortunate enough to spend the last 20 years developing commercial ventures for charities, I love working and being at Bore Place . Entrepreneurialism for social and environmental ends is where my heart lies. I’ve had a varied career, including being a tutor and course leader for the School for Social Entrepreneurs, setting up social enterprises for Community Links and running Product Development at the Charities Aid Foundation.

I now run Free Range Glamping, a glamping business at Bore Place, and project manage the visitor facilities programme here. I am also co-founding a start-up that enables charities to collect donations from contactless bank cards - CollecTin.com.

I’m married with two children, and love spending time outside as a family – camping, canoeing, cycling, walking, or just having a picnic. I briefly served as a trustee in 2017, before leaving the board, so that I could set-up Free Range Glamping.

Having taught in mainstream schools for 35 years, embracing  creativity, I decided to branched out to freelance work, delivering Arts Award and creative workshops across the South East.  I initially volunteered at Bore Place as a gardener last year and the wonderful atmosphere meant, when asked to deliver Arts Award, I jumped at the opportunity. I am a glass artist and when not delivering workshops, I am in my studio developing my passion for colour, pattern and texture through glass.

I am the contract dairy farmer, working in partnership with Bore Place to build a successful dairy farm which integrates with the other enterprises on the site.

I have been an organic dairy farmer near Haywards Heath in West Sussex for the last 11 years, having previously worked in sales and marketing roles in London. My passion is to enhance the triple bottom line of dairy farming - social, environmental and financial. By working with Bore Place we can build on the work done at home, with school visits and other special interest groups, to build a picture for the our customers of where their food comes from. The bedrock of organic farming is in the soil and the biodiversity of the farm. I love to build diversity into everything we grow in order to benefit the farm ecology.

I started at Bore Place in April 1982 when Neil and Jenifer Wates, founders of the Commonwork Trust, owned the site. I was employed by them as an Assistant Farm Fitter and I worked on the research and development of the, then new, methane digester. I carried out plant growth trials and formulated the mixes for the compost range "Supernatural" which was produced at Bore Place as a bi-product from the methane digester.

From 2001 I have been responsible for maintenance of the whole site at Bore Place, including our renewable energy installations.

I have taught within educational settings for 30 years. I get a lot of enjoyment working with young people helping and supporting them to master skills which will sustain them in the wider world. The ecological ethos of Bore Place compliments my own values and philosophy to life.

I am very interested in all things creative: making clothes, knitting, embroidery and home furnishings. I have completed various courses to further my creative skills to include: stained glass, felting and pottery. My next venture is wood carving. I am an avid gardener and love adapting recipes as well as cooking.

My role is to help host our guests to ensure they have an enjoyable, comfortable stay. We endevour to use environmentally friendly products and natural alternatives to harsh chemicals to minimise our impact on the environment.

After making a life-changing decision to emigrate from South Africa to the UK for a “new adventure”, my wife and I commenced our careers at Bore Place in September 2021.

My extensive background experience in hotel and restaurant management, marketing, real estate leasing, sales and property management has stood me in good stead to grasp the requirements for my position. I am a “hands-on” operator, and thoroughly enjoy learning new skills. I embrace the Bore Place organic ethos and mission, and look forward to playing a key role in the organisation as we strive toward a more sustainable future!

I have always been passionate about animals and the environment. After finishing school and working in a veterinary clinic, I chose to study Wildlife and Conservation at the University of Kent and have worked in ecological consultancy for the past 5 years. I have a particular interest in hazel dormice and other small mammals, but am always happy to spend time with wildlife and out in nature! I am looking forward to sharing my love of the natural world and achieving common goals for both people and wildlife, as part of the We Are Nature project at Bore Place.

I first became involved with Bore Place in 2011 through the Education department's link with school gardens, one of which I led at the time. I joined the education team soon after, drawing on years of arts and amateur gardening experience. Beyond Bore Place, I am also a Level 3 Forest School leader, which draws together all my outdoor passions and lends itself well to the work we do here.

I joined Bore Place in August 2021 as one of the SEN teachers, after working at Hadlow College (based at Princess Christians Farm) for 5 years. In my previous role as a foundation lecturer, my job was to help young people develop work and life skills in a land-based setting, whilst working with animals, plants and the great outdoors. Prior to working at Hadlow, I studied there for 5 years too, obtaining a degree in animal behavioural science and welfare.

In my current role, I work with various school groups that attend Bore Place, supporting them to access the outdoor spaces that we have here, as well as teaching them about sustainability, wildlife and anything nature related!

Before joining the Bore Place team in June 2021 I worked in the Horticultural sector for several years and was also a volunteer at Kent Wildlife Trust. Here at the Commonwork Trust my role is to help share the Bore Place experience with others through our venue and accommodation and to welcome all visitors and assist with enquiries.

I’m passionate about wildlife and keen to encourage everyone to engage with nature in positive ways both for their wellbeing and in order to help protect our wonderful natural environment.

I’ve been with Bore Place since November 2021. My role is linked to our conservation projects and I lead a diverse range of volunteer groups and work with our education team. I also contribute to the regular walks, events and activities we have on site as well as share knowledge and info about our nature and people programmes. If you see me about, come and say hi!

I started my working life as a voluntary conservationist for Trees for Kent, and began volunteering at Bore Place in the early 1990s.  I subsequently took over running the Green Wood Workshop here and also set up my own business in 1998.  As well as running courses at the Green Wood Workshop, I also make and sell baskets, living willow work, continuous fencing and hurdles.  I'm also a tree surgeon and am currently responsible for maintaining the woods at Bore Place. I am primarily a traditional craftsman, using the "underwood” or “coppice-wood” not only to make a living and promote the health and viability of our woodlands but to spread knowledge and enthusiasm for a traditional rural skill.

I love working outdoors and am passionate about connecting people with nature. After qualifying as an English Teacher, I lived and worked in Sweden for five years, where I learnt that 'there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes'!

I became interested in Forest School when I started taking my daughter to a toddler forest playgroup when she was 18 months, and I realised that by training as a Forest School Leader I could combine my teaching skills with my love for being outdoors. Since qualifying I have been involved in a number of different projects, including running Forest School sessions for preschoolers, activity camps for school age children, and adult training sessions. In my spare time I enjoy pottering on my allotment, hiking, camping, baking and reading.

I started my farming career at the age of 11 working for a local dairy farm weekends and holidays, from there I went to Plumpton College and spent 3 years on a national diploma course, part of this was a year working so I spent 6 months in the UK and 7 months in Australia. 

After finishing college I spent 5 years on an organic dairy farm in Petworth as a herdsman learning all aspects of organic farming. 

The travel bug was calling again and I went out to New Zealand for a year working on various farms all around the country. 

After returning I was really keen to work on an organic farm again and got a job working with Dan Burdett on his farm in Haywards Heath, I spent 6 years there progressing to herd manager. From there Dan gave me the opportunity to manage Bore Place which I have been doing since January 2020. 

I am really keen on farming in a sustainable way which is good for the animals, environment and business. I love the challenges that organic farming brings and I look forward to achieving all the goals that we have set over the coming years.

I joined Bore Place in September 2021. I arrived in the UK in June 2021 with my husband Geoff seeking new adventures and, very bravely, a brand new start. We crave new challenges - this one was a big one but I am ever so pleased we took the leap. My life has never been so exciting with such a learning curve! Loving every minute on this magnificent estate and all that it offers. On my days off I get to roam the farm and have witnessed some calving too, which was incredible.

My key role is Housekeeping Manager with an awesome energetic team of 6. Fundamentally it is my responsibility to manage and coordinate the team to ensure all the properties are in ship-shape before and after guests have been here, and very importantly that each and every checked in guest is given the best care and made to feel at home. It is great to meet brand new people and of course share some South African memories.

My career journey crossed through many varied positions and industries ranging from hotel management, to financial services and owning and operating our own real estate business. In our spare time we enjoy the outdoors and most of all hiking and glamping.

I graduated from Falmouth University with a first class degree in Sustainable Product Design where I led on sustainability projects, including working closely with Trink Dairy in St. Ives researching and developing concepts for refill milk dispensers. I joined the Trust in Dec 2019 as an intern which has led on my current role of Project Coordinator.

I work directly with the Chief Executive leading a number of projects directly linking to our strategic plan. With a background in sustainable design I have a natural ability to problem solve and provide innovative green ideas which enables me to advise the Trust to stay true to their vision, mission and values, including sustainable procurement and interior development of our properties. I have a strong relationship with all departments here at Bore Place providing the solutions to operational site issues.

On a personal level, I am a creative soul with a love for arts and crafts. I am a self professed foodie and can often be found in the kitchen experimenting and creating weird and wonderful bakes! 

I first joined at Bore Place in 1997 to work, part-time, with the Education Team, to share my experience in outdoor natural history teaching with primary and secondary students. I have always been passionate about wildlife, and have worked for Kent Wildlife Trust in outdoor education, and at other Field Centres.  I have also been involved, for over 30 years, as a volunteer helping to manage wildlife habitats, and leading conservation tasks. I am a licensed 'bat advisor', involved in amphibian monitoring, and with husband Peter, involved in a project to monitor and help barn owls.

I joined the Bore Place team in November 2017 as the Organic Market Gardener. I have been working in the world of organic vegetables all my life. I started by cooking with veg in a vegan restaurant and later moved onto becoming a market trader in organic fruit and veg in the Netherlands for 10 years. By doing courses and placements I acquired the skills to grow and I found work in the south of England as head grower for 2 seasons. In 2005 I rented a farm near Hastings and I have been growing organic vegetables since then. Bore Place has offered me the opportunity to mould the Market Garden into a commercially viable business that also offers young adults facing challenges a place to grow and learn.

Michelle is a member of the housekeeping team, using eco products to launder our linens and towels.

Whilst studying for a master’s degree in Palaeobiology I became particularly interested in nature conservation and environmental education. This led to me joining Bore Place as a volunteer in March 2022, through which I have been involved in ecological surveys, supporting the delivery of the Wildlife Gardening Club, and digitising the ecological archives. I have also volunteered with the Kent Countryside Partnerships since April 2022 which has involved working on practical conservation projects.

I was delighted to be offered the role of Environmental Education and Events Intern at Bore Place which will involve helping coordinate community events, working with volunteers, supporting education and much more.

I am a Volunteer Task Leader at Bough Beech along with my wife, Lynne. 

Sally is a member of the housekeeping team, using eco products to maintain the cleanliness of our facilities, and looking after our visitors during their stay.

My career background stems back to working in the design and advertising industry, from client services at advertising agency J Walter-Thompson to financial and operational management at Raymond Loewy Design. My roles gave me invaluable experience and learning to work collaboratively in a team environment. After working in London for 20 years I took a career break to raise three children.  

My role at Bore Place is in planning large events. I love the whole ethos of Bore Place and particularly the invaluable support it offers young people.

I have a key responsibility for coordinating weddings at Bore Place, so please contact me if you would like to discuss or make a wedding booking at our unique venue. Alternatively, you can complete an enquiry form and I'll get back to you in person.

I joined the housekeeping team in September 2019, helping to ensure the buildings are kept clean and tidy, and to ensure our guests have everything they need during their stay. As well as general housekeeping, I bring experience of corporate events and weddings and I enjoy variety in my work. Every day is different which makes the job interesting. During my induction to Bore Place, I helped move cows up the lane into a different field and I was also lucky enough to see a calf being born - all in a day's work!