I’m so honoured to have been made the Youth Educator in Residence at Wytham Woods. Many thanks to the Conservator, Nigel Fisher, and the wonderfully supportive team in the Estates Department of the University, for the opportunity.

The Woods were gifted to the University of Oxford by the ffennell family in around 1944 when their only daughter, Hazel, died in her early 30’s. The ffennells trusted the University to preserve the beauty of the Woods, and to use it for research, for education, and for enjoyment by the local community. The Woods in part have fulfilled their responsibility for education through their support of the Hill End Outdoor Education Centre. Whereas Hill End focus on primary age children, this new role will allow us to develop a “nature education” offering for teenagers in the main area of the Woods. I am excited to start exploring the opportunities.