Janine Bickerstaff Membership Officer Expand Specialist areas: My main aims are to recruit members for Friends of the Lake District and make sure all our members are made to feel welcome and valued. I love talking with members and am always impressed by their passion and commitment to this beautiful place. I love nothing better than tramping about the Lakes and Dales with my husband, two young boys and our dog Patch. Sledging in Winter and open water swimming in Summer are particular family favourites. I work part time, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
Jan Darrall Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist areas: Agriculture, common land, uplands, land management, research, water, environmental improvement grants and management of High Borrowdale, Little Asby and Mazonwath. Favourite things: chocolate, cake, open fells, swimming in lakes, dogs, gin and tonic and being outdoors in our fantastic Cumbrian landscape. Working days Monday to Thursday.
Jack Ellerby Dark Skies Officer - 2.5 days a week Expand My role is to raise awareness of the value of Dark Skies across Cumbria, and to inspire communities, businesses and organisations to reduce light pollution. The benefits are a win-win; healthier lives, reduced energy use and carbon emissions, saving nocturnal wildlife (eg bats and insects) and to allow local people and visitors to enjoy seeing the stars at night. (declining opportunities at the present time!) Previously I worked in planning and managed community projects at Exmoor, the Lake District and North York Moors National Parks; was a Policy Officer for Friends of the Lake District (2002-2014); and since then have been a self-employed landscape contractor. Interests/hobbies – allotment, birdwatching, cycling, fishing, valuing nature/the environment, shooting and walking with my dog. Working days Monday to Wednesday,
Dawn Groundsell Communications Officer - 2.5 days a week Expand Specialist areas: Publications, public relations, website management, enewsletters and social media. I enjoy cycling, walking up hills, dancing, and being outdoors as much as possible all year round, although I much prefer it in sunshine. I work part time, usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Clare Hucknall Company Secretary - 2 days a week Expand I am responsible for supporting the Board of Trustees and governance. I’m a keen hill-walker and love nothing more than being on top of a Lakeland mountain and spending time with my family enjoying the Lakes – whether on a bike, in a kayak, in the water, or tramping up a track. I work part time.
Christopher James Communications Officer Expand Communications Officer for Friends of the Lake District. Communications, marketing and promotion of the charities campaigns, events, land management, volunteers and policy work. Editor of our members' magazine 'Conserving Lakeland'.
Cat James Finance and Office Manager Expand A keen artist and fell walker since childhood I share a love of the outdoors with my husband which led us to the decision to move to the Lake District in 2000. When I am not sitting in front of a computer immersed in finances and figures I still love to walk the fells along with my dog and sketch pad. I work 4.5 days a week.
Ruth Kirk Landscape Engagement Officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist Areas: My role focuses on reconnecting people with the landscape through, among other things: our mass-volunteer Fell Care Days which highlight the value of our upland landscapes and inspire people to take part in practical conservation work to protect them; our Leader’s Landscape Training programme which educates outdoor practitioners about Cumbria’s upland ecology and the pressures on it; our annual rural skills competitions in Hedge Laying and Dry Stone Walling; leading conservation work parties with volunteers at the Helm and in the woodlands we own and many other events and opportunities to get people out and about immersing themselves in our spectacular countryside. Favourite things: I always, always prefer to be outside rather than in (whatever the weather), and can often be found road cycling through the stunning Eden valley or traipsing across the fells with my daft boxer dog, Zebedee. I work part time, 3 or 4 days a week if there is a work party. Days vary each week.
Marianne Kitchen Finance Administrator - 2 days a week Expand My role focuses mostly on income and expenditure entry, reconciling the bank and Gift Aid claims. Outside work I love spending time with my family and dogs. We are always busy walking the Fells, tending our allotment, and relaxing in the garden in summer. In winter I go skiing as much as possible. I work part time, usually Monday and Thursday.
Amanda McCleery Overhead Wires Officer - 2 days a month Expand As the Overhead Wires Officer, my main role is liaising with Electricity North West, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty over their allowance (from Ofgem) to underground electricity poles and wires. Away from work I love trail running by myself and fell walking and cycling with my family. I work part time - just one day a month but I can look at emails in between.
Andrew Tait Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand My specialist areas include access, recreation, woodlands/forestry and protected landscapes policy. I am also responsible for managing our woodland properties and land at the Helm (with lots of help from volunteers!). Outside of work I do as much fell-walking as my knees will allow as well as the odd winter climb and a bit of cross country skiing if and when the white stuff arrives. Normally I work Tuesday to Friday.
Lorayne Woodend Wall Planning officer Expand As Planning Officer, my main role is to consider and respond to planning applications, Local Plan consultations and consultations on national planning policy changes, although I‘ll get involved in other areas of work too. I’m very proud of being Cumbrian with strong local ancestry. Outside work, I enjoy exploring the less-frequented parts of Cumbria and love bagging a trig point or milk churn stand, discovering local history and finding hidden or quirky local facts and features. I can also be found enjoying classic car events, snooker tournaments or Jo Nesbo novels or planning an overseas adventure – Japan is a firm favourite!
Claire Wickham Office Administrator Expand I joined in October 2017 after a family sailing sabbatical in the Mediterranean. My role as Office Administrator is to help the organisation function smoothly on a day to day basis. Welcoming visitors, responding to general enquiries, supporting staff with general admin, processing merchandise orders and ensuring we never run out of anything are just some of my responsibilities. I like logistics and operational planning, and latterly have enjoyed roles as Festival Organiser at Kendal Mountain Festival and General Assistant at Howbarrow Organic Veg Box Scheme. I am passionate about the environment and am an active member of South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Westmorland and Lonsdale Green Party.
Kate Willshaw Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand My specialist areas include energy and nuclear government policy and major infrastructure projects, the impacts of climate change on Cumbria’s landscape, sustainability, natural capital/ecosystem services and biodiversity. I also manage Friends of the Lake District's digital mapping system. Favourite things: playing the ukulele, weekends away in my campervan and outdoor swimming in rivers and lakes in Cumbria and France. In between I look after an allotment and an overenthusiastic border collie called Luba who really appreciates living near so many great dog walks. He and I can often be found up The Helm at lunchtime.