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Meet the Staff

Ed Sibson

Centre Manager

Ed joined LOPC in 2010, previously he worked at Grafham Water Centre in
Cambridgeshire as a Chief Instructor.

With a strong background in networking and partnership development Ed’s hobbies include Sailing, Windsurfing and Climbing.

Chris Murnin

Deputy Centre Manager

Chris has worked his way through the ranks over the last few years, starting as a Freelance Instructor, then Land Senior Instructor, now the Deputy Manager. A keen all round outdoors person. “ A bad day on the hill beats a good day in the office”

David Robinson

Senior Instructor

David has enjoyed spending time in the outdoors from an early age via Scouting and being dragged on country walks with the parents. After completing a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management he came to LOPC and hasn’t left since. Hobbies include Kayaking, Canoeing, Rock Climbing and the odd bit of Walking and Mountain Biking.

Jonathan Billington

Senior Instructor

Jonathan joined LOPC in 2010, now in his third year at the centre, 2012 sees him begin a full time role as a Senior Instructor. Before joining LOPC Jonathan worked in the Lake District and the Ardeche in France with Acorn Adventure, and spent 4 years working for The Scout Association at Gilwell Park in London.

Jonathan is a keen paddler, regularly coaching at Holme Pierrepont Canoe Club. When he’s not on the water he spends his time climbing, bouldering, mountain biking and anything else that gets him into the great outdoors.

Katy Groom

Instructor and Bookings Co-ordinator

Katy joined LOPC as an Instructor in 2007, she is now also responsible for co-ordinating all the group bookings for the Centre.

Before joining the staff at LOPC Katy spent 3 years studying Outdoor Recreation at Bicton College in Devon, including a 5 month work placement out in France which was her introduction to Open Canoeing. This was followed by 3 summer seasons working out in the Ardeche, in the South of France for Acorn
Adventure.

Her outdoor interests are Open Canoeing, Sea Kayaking and Rock Climbing.

Clair Saye Instructor and Activate Co-ordinator

Clair studied Outdoor and Environmental Education at Liverpool John Moores University and since graduating has worked for PGL in a variety of roles and locations.

Clair joined LOPC in May 2009 as an Instructor and is now the Activate Co-ordinator, responsible for the After School and Holiday Schemes.

Cheryl Sheldon

Instructor and Business Support

If dreams can come true, some of mine did in December 2009.

The chance to work in the Office, but also to continue as an Instructor was my dream.

I joined LOPC for the 2003 ‘Summer Season’ and I have returned every year since then. During the ‘Winter Seasons’ I worked as a Temporary Teaching Assistant and was PA to a Managing Director. The skills I learnt from these positions will assist me in my new role as I ‘Live the Dream’. (Well, apart from the big lottery win!).

Chris O’Connor

Site Manager and Instructor

Chris started coming to the Centre as a 9 year old boy and discovered a great passion for the sport of Canoeing. Helping out around the site ever since he could lift a hammer he takes great pride in the appearance of the Centre.

Chris started off as a volunteer in the early 80s leading groups on the water before becoming a fully paid Instructor and now holds the position of Site Manager.

As you can see from his picture he can do things with a canoe that most can only dream of!

Steve Vincent

Instructor

Steve has been a long serving member of LOPC staff, he joined us in 2005 after working in the big mountains of North Wales.

Steve always brings a smile to the Centre. His hobbies include Rock Climbing, Hill Walking and Mountaineering.

A family man at heart, Steve has became a Father for the first time in 2009.

Bhavesh Ramji

Instructor

Bhavesh has been working in the outdoors since 2003. He started with PGL to gain experience and worked for Robin Wood’s in Cumbria where he first came across Rock Climbing, the sport he’s talented at, he’s like a monkey.

He has worked as an Instructor for LOPC since 2006 the main thing that drives him now is watching people grow by overcoming fears and facing challenges. He also holds the record for going around the Arial trekking course the fastest, his record stands at 33 seconds!!!

Jon-Luc Furlong

Instructor

Jon-Luc has been around the world doing various outdoor activities, including sand boarding down the sand dunes of the Namibian desert, poling makoros in Botswana, white water rafting down Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River, scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and more.

Despite his love of travel he has been Instructing with a smile at LOPC since May 2009 and is happiest when out on the water

Anna Wilcox

Like many of our staff Anna has a long running passion for the outdoors, ever since she and her father jumped 40ft into the river Ure at Slengingford mill from a Rope Swing!

Her hobbies include Climbing, Abseiling, Volleyball and Teaching.

Anna gained a lot of her experience volunteering at Scout Centres and teaching English to orphans in Sri Lanka. She also spent the last 4 years working for PGL where she gained most of her Ropes and Watersports qualifications.

Now she is instructing at a LOPC to gain more experience in the Outdoor industry.

Rachael Pye

Rachael has been working as an instructor for various organisations since graduating in 2007 with a degree in Adventure Tourism Management from University College Birmingham. Rachael has worked at LOPC for 3 Summer Seasons.

Rachael’s enthusiasm for the outdoors started at an early age, going to camp with her Dad’s Scouts, and now Scouting takes up a lot of her spare time, when she isn’t busy being an Explorer Scout leader or helping at events she enjoys Climbing, Skiing and Hill Walking!