About our bushcraft instructors
Ian Cresswell
I had been contemplating having a more regular instructor when along came Ian on the first OCNEMR Level 2 course. I sensed almost immediately that he was the person I wanted.
Ian started in scouting when he was aged 7. He spent 10 and a half years in the army serving in many parts of Europe as well as Saudi Arabia, Canada and seeing active service during Operation Granby. He is a keen hill walker, skier and shooter.
In 1994 he started running Survival Weekends for the Scouts but over the last few years his focus has moved from a very military approach to a very clear Bushcraft approach.
Ian is a naturally gifted instructor who seems to perfectly balance good instruction and having a laugh. Everyone seems to warm to him so you will be pleased to know that he heads up many of the regular courses.
Sarah Robertshaw
Sarah is a trained counsellor and Forest School Leader, as well as being the mother of two fine young men. Sarah loves to use her understanding of the woods and Bushcraft in order to help people of any age and from all walks of life gain confidence in themselves and take positive steps forward in their personal journeys.
People come first with Sarah and over the years she has created various personal development programs through her work with Forest Enterprise, and the Pioneer Centre (activity/ conference centre).
Jess
Everything about her is black and white - she loves sticks, people and food. She is a real asset to the team as she always welcomes groups and helps settle some of the more demanding clients by getting them to throw sticks for her. She has regularly played an important part in helping people and has at least on two occasions helped people overcome their fear of dogs.
Howard Morris
As expansion was demanding a third, regular, pair of hands to help out, we received an email from a young man called Howard. Following discussions at length with all parties, he is spending time with us as a trainee, with a view to becoming a part time instructor.
He is one of those rare beasts who not only has a natural talent for practical skills like hedge laying and stone walling but also is educated, having a degree in Zoology. He has worked as a volunteer with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and is interested in sustainability, renewable technologies and trying as far as possible to source things locally.
His passion for the outdoors and Bushcraft is evident prompting one of our colleagues from another Bushcraft School to comment, ‘The force is strong in this one.’
Howard has brought with him his knowledge of flora and fauna, his hands on skills and an ability to gently build people.
His love of the outdoors extends to travelling having recently spent a couple of weeks in Iceland camping.