Gyles Morris - Head Honcho

Gyles Morris grew up exploring the woods of Hampshire and mountains of Wales where he developed a keen interest in the great outdoors. He trained and qualified as a landscape architect before designing urban landscapes in Sydney then returning to the UK to take up a posts in London then with Hampshire County Council. In 1991 Gyles concluded his relationship with contracts, road schemes and BS standards to train as a geography and environmental studies teacher at London University’s Institute of Education (LUIoE).

The following year he worked for the Field Studies Council as an environmental tutor before setting up his own environmental education centre in Oxfordshire. In 1996 Gyles moved his business to Dorset before taking up the post of Director of The Magdalen Project, living on site with his wife Alison and 3 children.
Gyles enjoys exploring some of the earth’s last remaining wildernesses and meeting people living in balance with their environments. An adventurer and environmentalist at his core, has inspired him to develop many innovative approaches to teaching about the environment striving towards creating a vibrant sustainable infrastructure at Magdalen. Gyles is a regular speaker on environmental and educational issues and also lectures at the Institue of Education, London University.

Catherine Rands - Centre Manager / Director's PA / Office Manager and General Chief Organiser

Catherine was born and bred in Somerset. She went to Lackham College of Agriculture in Wiltshire, where she studied Agriculture / Farm Secretarial before working on the school farm unit at Wadham School in Crewkerne. She then become a relief sheep milker for 2yrs! before joining Somerset Adult Learning and Leisure as an Adult Learning Co-ordinator and spent seven years with them before joining us here in June 2003. She is married with two teenage daughters and enjoys cycling, walking and cooking.
FACT: Ambition to cycle through Vietnam to raise funds for Magdalen! ACHIEVED AMBITION IN NOVEMBER 2006 RAISING OVER £4000.00 FOR OUR YOUNG CARERS PROJECT

Jacob - Explorer

Jocob's main role is to test out John's flapjacks and to make sure that other members of staff are giving him enough attention. If you can't see him you can usually hear him.

Sarah Gleadell - Development Manager / Fundraiser

Simon Rands - Farm Manager

Nick - Bookkeeper

Nick joined us in July 2003. Originally from London Nick has lived all over the UK but in Somerset for the last 15 years.
Nick studied at Seale-Hayne Agriculture College before heading off to Reading Uni to study for an MSC Agricultural management.
He then spent 10 yrs as a Dairy Husbandry Advisor with the Ministry of Agriculture, before becoming Bursar at the Quaker School at Saffron Walden. After 10 years at the school he spent 14 yrs as manager of a large doctors practice in the Blackdown Hills before joining us here.
Nick is married with 2 children and enjoys reading, music, gardening, bell ringing and is passionate about sustainability.
FACT: Buys locally, pays promptly and recycles all.

Faye Williams - Education Co-ordinator / Leader of fun and muddy activities with school children

Originally from Wiltshire, Faye developed a love for the great outdoors from a young age. She studied for a degree in Geography at Swansea University before doing a Masters in Environmental Conservation Management at Glamorgan University.
Passionate about working with children and being outside, Faye spent five summers before, during and after university working at a children’s summer camp in America. She lead hiking and canoeing trips through the wilderness of Maine as well as teaching environmental education, outdoor pursuits and survival skills to campers.
A water baby at heart, Faye loves to swim and body board, and has recently taken up surfing. Her favourite thing at Magdalen (apart from the fantastic cooking!) is to sing crazy, fun action songs with the children around the campfire.

Matilda (Tilda) Western - Local Schools Outreach Coordinator, Sustainability Officer & Samba Queen!

Tilda is a farmer’s daughter from Winkleigh, in the heart of the Devonshire countryside. In 1998, she left the fields and sought out the bright lights of Brighton where she did her degree in Geography and Environmental Studies. After that she embarked on an amazing 2-year adventure around South East Asia and Australia, volunteering on a wide range of organic farms, environmental education centres and marine conservation projects.

On returning to Blighty – keen to put into practice all she had learnt on her travels – she did a Masters in Sustainable Development, a brilliant ‘hands on’ course that developed her practical skills in sustainability and environmental education. One of her work placements brought her to Magdalen – where she has now found her dream job and workplace!

Jan Spencer - Youth Worker, Gardener, Veg man and all rounder!

Jan grew up in East Devon and has always preferred wide-open spaces to the city life. He has spent many years as a musician, playing the baroque double bass in various orchestras both locally and nationally. This has taken Jan all over the world. Five years ago he decided to cut down the music and became a residential care worker, where he has worked with many disaffected youth and school children. Jan came to The Magdalen Project in 2003 as the Youth Education Officer, he also grows all our organic vegetables and helps out on the farm. Jan has 3 boys and lives on a 3 ½ acre smallholding near Colyton.

Jill Strawbridge

Bernard Genge - Business Courses and Workshops Guru

Bernard spent 11 years in the Royal Navy then a further 11 years in the corporate healthcare environment, before setting up as a freelance trainer in areas such as 'sustainable' Personal Development, leadership, management, interpersonal and team building skills. His workshops are interactive, include inside and outside activities, key learning points, video clips, group discussions and most importantly are fun. As well as working with groups he works with individuals as their 'coach' helping you achieve your dreams and ambitions. Bernard is passionate about helping people change their lives for the better and is interested in the environment and sustainability and has included these principles in some of his personal development work.

Liz Beale - Catering Team Leader

Kathy Dorse - Housekeeper and Singer

Kathy lived in Winsham for 9 years with her family - 3 children plus 2 step-children, before moving to Chard. Kathy trained as a residential social worker, working in a variety of homes including a Rudolph Steiner Home for Children with special needs. When she moved to Winsham she took the role as pre-school chairperson and later Secretary for the village hall. Kathy then spent 8 years as carer for her step-daughter who had a heart-transplant in 2001. She joined the Magdalen Project in 1999 and is responsible for housekeeping and Health & Safety.
Kathy enjoys listening to music, dancing and is keen on interior design - watch out 'Changing Rooms'.
FACT: Kathy is lead singer of a local band.

Jane Cole - Assistant Housekeeper

Lisa Wright - Housekeeping / Kitchen Assistant

Ellie - Friend To All

An invaluable member of the team, always happy, enjoys all aspects of the farm, to be found in her office under a bench in the courtyard.