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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.
Fran Dickson
Chair of 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
Holly Hirst
Clerk to 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, working on a part-time/freelance basis for various companies. 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.
To contact the Clerk to Trustees email clerk@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
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, working on a part-time/freelance basis for various companies. 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.
To contact the Clerk to Trustees email clerk@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
Giles Smith
Trustee
Giles is a qualified teacher with an MA in Strategic HR Management and Development and a passion for life-long learning. He has worked in the private, public and charitable sectors in a range of leadership roles and helped to set up both the Herefordshire Outdoor Trust and the Herefordshire Expedition Group.
Giles’ involvement in the outdoor sector stretches back 35 years to his first job as an archery instructor and castle tour guide in the French Alps. His passion for outdoor learning and adventure has enabled him to travel and work in some amazing places before settling to raise a family in in the beautiful county of Herefordshire. He is currently Centre Director for the Trust.
Giles is a qualified teacher with an MA in Strategic HR Management and Development and a passion for life-long learning. He has worked in the private, public and charitable sectors in a range of leadership roles and helped to set up both the Herefordshire Outdoor Trust and the Herefordshire Expedition Group.
Giles’ involvement in the outdoor sector stretches back 35 years to his first job as an archery instructor and castle tour guide in the French Alps. His passion for outdoor learning and adventure has enabled him to travel and work in some amazing places before settling to raise a family in in the beautiful county of Herefordshire. He is currently Centre Director for the Trust.
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.
Amy Preece
Trustee
Amy is currently Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school. Throughout her time at this school she has enjoyed bringing many groups of children to Longtown to enjoy residential trips and activity days. Amy has a passion for using the wonderful Herefordshire countryside to enhance children's learning and give them experiences that they may not otherwise have. Following a residential trip to Longtown, Amy’s school entered the national ‘My Best School Trip Award.’ They were shortlisted in the top three and attended the awards ceremony in London where they were placed runners up. Amy says, “It was an honour to share some of the magic of our trip and get Longtown on the map!”
Amy enjoys spending time outdoors, both with and without classes of children. She particularly enjoys watersports and had the luxury of sailing the English Channel with representatives from the Royal Navy a number of years ago.
Amy is currently Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school. Throughout her time at this school she has enjoyed bringing many groups of children to Longtown to enjoy residential trips and activity days. Amy has a passion for using the wonderful Herefordshire countryside to enhance children's learning and give them experiences that they may not otherwise have. Following a residential trip to Longtown, Amy’s school entered the national ‘My Best School Trip Award.’ They were shortlisted in the top three and attended the awards ceremony in London where they were placed runners up. Amy says, “It was an honour to share some of the magic of our trip and get Longtown on the map!”
Amy enjoys spending time outdoors, both with and without classes of children. She particularly enjoys watersports and had the luxury of sailing the English Channel with representatives from the Royal Navy a number of years ago.
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.
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.
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.
Jo Kent
Trustee
Jo has a background primarily in Education and Business Management, although she has recently added Estates Management to her remit.
Working in both the public and charity sectors in various roles, Jo became a trustee to support the fantastic work of Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre. Having visited the Centre as a student whilst at school and college, Jo appreciates how much it has grown over the years and she is really excited to be a part of its future development.
Jo enjoys spending time outside and is a keen hiker and adventurer; she recently trekked across the Italian, Swiss and French Alps and is currently working towards her Lowland Leader Award.
Jo has a background primarily in Education and Business Management, although she has recently added Estates Management to her remit.
Working in both the public and charity sectors in various roles, Jo became a trustee to support the fantastic work of Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre. Having visited the Centre as a student whilst at school and college, Jo appreciates how much it has grown over the years and she is really excited to be a part of its future development.
Jo enjoys spending time outside and is a keen hiker and adventurer; she recently trekked across the Italian, Swiss and French Alps and is currently working towards her Lowland Leader Award.
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