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Meet the trustees
Our Board of Trustees are committed to our vision and mission and generously donate their time and support to enable Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust to meet its charitable objects.
Phil Hodgson
Chair of Trustees
Phil was appointed as Chair of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust Board in November 2025.
He will support the professional team to achieve continued organisational and professional growth, whilst positively acknowledging the range of expertise, knowledge and experience of board members and the professional team at Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust.
Phil has worked in local government across England and Wales as a Social Worker, Senior Manager and Director of Social Services. Phil is an experienced chair of boards at local government and Welsh Government level with the focus of safeguarding children and young people. In 2008, he was awarded an MBE for Services to Local Government.
Throughout his adult life Phil has enjoyed outdoor activities which include fell walking, canoeing, skiing and completing half marathons.
To contact the Chair of Trustees email: chair@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Phil was appointed as Chair of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust Board in November 2025.
He will support the professional team to achieve continued organisational and professional growth, whilst positively acknowledging the range of expertise, knowledge and experience of board members and the professional team at Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust.
Phil has worked in local government across England and Wales as a Social Worker, Senior Manager and Director of Social Services. Phil is an experienced chair of boards at local government and Welsh Government level with the focus of safeguarding children and young people. In 2008, he was awarded an MBE for Services to Local Government.
Throughout his adult life Phil has enjoyed outdoor activities which include fell walking, canoeing, skiing and completing half marathons.
To contact the Chair of Trustees email: chair@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Holly Hirst
Clerk to the Trustees
Holly has an MA in Modern History and an MSc in Education & Training Management. Her career to-date has been varied and interesting: she has worked in the media, corporate, education and charity sectors; her most recent third sector role being that of Project Coordinator for a Herefordshire charity focused on improving wellbeing in rural communities.
Holly currently has a ‘portfolio’ career. She retrained as a jeweller/goldsmith in her late 40s but continues to take on some part-time/freelance administrative work. She enjoys walking her dog in the hills of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire and believes that time spent in nature is vital for personal wellbeing. Through her role as Clerk to the Trustees, she is delighted to be able to support the work of the Centre which enables young people and families to connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way.
Holly has an MA in Modern History and an MSc in Education & Training Management. Her career to-date has been varied and interesting: she has worked in the media, corporate, education and charity sectors; her most recent third sector role being that of Project Coordinator for a Herefordshire charity focused on improving wellbeing in rural communities.
Holly currently has a ‘portfolio’ career. She retrained as a jeweller/goldsmith in her late 40s but continues to take on some part-time/freelance administrative work. She enjoys walking her dog in the hills of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire and believes that time spent in nature is vital for personal wellbeing. Through her role as Clerk to the Trustees, she is delighted to be able to support the work of the Centre which enables young people and families to connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way.
Guy Bourner
Trustee
Guy studied Fine Art Painting at Bath Spa University before moving to London to work for a world-renowned fine art shipping firm. Today, he works remotely for the firm as a logistics co-ordinator.
Moving to Herefordshire with his family in 2016, Guy went to work for a local restoration building company where he learnt the skills necessary to renovate his own Welsh longhouse overlooking the Black Mountains. This continues to be an ongoing project. Heritage, architecture and craftsmanship are his constant passions.
Volunteering for Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust since 2022, Guy has always been an advocate for adventure and opportunity. Both of his children have enjoyed the after-school clubs provided by the Centre and will continue to do so.
Guy studied Fine Art Painting at Bath Spa University before moving to London to work for a world-renowned fine art shipping firm. Today, he works remotely for the firm as a logistics co-ordinator.
Moving to Herefordshire with his family in 2016, Guy went to work for a local restoration building company where he learnt the skills necessary to renovate his own Welsh longhouse overlooking the Black Mountains. This continues to be an ongoing project. Heritage, architecture and craftsmanship are his constant passions.
Volunteering for Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust since 2022, Guy has always been an advocate for adventure and opportunity. Both of his children have enjoyed the after-school clubs provided by the Centre and will continue to do so.
Claire Brown
Truestee
Claire graduated with an equine business degree and completed a post graduate certificate in equine science. In 2014, she became a member of the CIPR and completed their Advanced Certificate. She currently lectures part-time, in addition to undertaking PR and marketing projects for a number of clients across the UK.
Prior to becoming a Trustee, Claire initially volunteered to act as Clerk to the Trustees following her children’s participation in activities at the Outdoor Centre. She has witnessed first-hand their growth in confidence and teamwork skills whilst making new friends and thriving in outdoor challenges.
Claire graduated with an equine business degree and completed a post graduate certificate in equine science. In 2014, she became a member of the CIPR and completed their Advanced Certificate. She currently lectures part-time, in addition to undertaking PR and marketing projects for a number of clients across the UK.
Prior to becoming a Trustee, Claire initially volunteered to act as Clerk to the Trustees following her children’s participation in activities at the Outdoor Centre. She has witnessed first-hand their growth in confidence and teamwork skills whilst making new friends and thriving in outdoor challenges.
Fran Dickson
Trustees
Fran has a background in policy research and prior to moving to Longtown, she completed her PhD with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, where she also taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Before becoming a trustee of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust, she was a trustee of Longtown Pre-School where she took an active role in policy development. She aims to bring her research and analytical skills to new areas of policy, underpinning the important governance work of the Trust. Fran is currently a managing partner in a family farming and hospitality business, responsible for corporate governance in addition to over 25 employees.
Fran is a local parent of three children, the oldest of whom has used the Centre for after-school and holiday clubs for the past couple of years. Through her children’s experience, Fran acknowledges to the enormous repository of skills, knowledge and enthusiasm that is held within the Centre which inspired her to want to volunteer as a trustee.
To contact the Chair of Trustees email: chair@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Fran has a background in policy research and prior to moving to Longtown, she completed her PhD with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, where she also taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Before becoming a trustee of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust, she was a trustee of Longtown Pre-School where she took an active role in policy development. She aims to bring her research and analytical skills to new areas of policy, underpinning the important governance work of the Trust. Fran is currently a managing partner in a family farming and hospitality business, responsible for corporate governance in addition to over 25 employees.
Fran is a local parent of three children, the oldest of whom has used the Centre for after-school and holiday clubs for the past couple of years. Through her children’s experience, Fran acknowledges to the enormous repository of skills, knowledge and enthusiasm that is held within the Centre which inspired her to want to volunteer as a trustee.
To contact the Chair of Trustees email: chair@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Simon Lee
Trustee and Treasurer
Simon is a member of the Association of Accountancy Technicians and has been in the accountancy profession for 39 years, running his own business for 15 years. During this time, Simon has acted for a number of small charities assisting with the preparation of management and annual accounts and providing accountancy advice.
Simon is a member of the Association of Accountancy Technicians and has been in the accountancy profession for 39 years, running his own business for 15 years. During this time, Simon has acted for a number of small charities assisting with the preparation of management and annual accounts and providing accountancy advice.
Erica Wallace
Trustee
Erica has a long history with Longtown; she first visited as a student with her secondary school and then came as a trainee instructor between completing her PGCE and starting her first teaching job. Since then, she has been back many times with groups as a teacher.
With the pressures on education at the moment, both curriculum and funding wise, Amy feels it is important that places such as Longtown continue to be supported as what they offer the children visiting is way beyond anything that can be offered in a classroom.
Children who may not have the chance to shine in a classroom may demonstrate leadership qualities, motivational skills or organisational skills that would not be noticed otherwise. They also get to see some stunning scenery and try things they may never before have had the opportunity to do.
Erica has a long history with Longtown; she first visited as a student with her secondary school and then came as a trainee instructor between completing her PGCE and starting her first teaching job. Since then, she has been back many times with groups as a teacher.
With the pressures on education at the moment, both curriculum and funding wise, Amy feels it is important that places such as Longtown continue to be supported as what they offer the children visiting is way beyond anything that can be offered in a classroom.
Children who may not have the chance to shine in a classroom may demonstrate leadership qualities, motivational skills or organisational skills that would not be noticed otherwise. They also get to see some stunning scenery and try things they may never before have had the opportunity to do.
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