Meet our Staff

Staff

  • Ian Wall, Director

    Ian graduated from Sheffield University's Department of Archaeology and Prehistory in 1986 and has a City & Guilds qualification in Adult Education. He started working at Creswell Crags in 1987 on the excavation in Pin Hole Cave and has since supervised on a number of different period excavations in the Creswell Crags Heritage area. Since then Ian has completed the MA in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester and has worked in a number of roles at the Crags. He is now Director and is responsible for strategic and financial management and for major development projects.

  • Maria Smith, Learning Officer (Collections)
    Maria started as a volunteer at the Creswell Heritage Trust in April 2007 and was employed as a Peak Seasonal Heritage Ranger. She then became an assistant project officer and started working on collections in the museum She studied History for her degree at Leeds University and has a Masters degree from York University in Heritage Management.
  • Francesca Sfoggia, Operations Manager
    Francesca graduated from Venice University (Università Ca'Foscari, Italy) in 2002 with a BA in Conservation of the Cultural Heritage. She attended a 2 year course in Paintings Conservation and worked as restorer in Italy for 4 1/2 years. In 2009 she graduated from Udine University (Italy) with an MA (Hons) in Art History and Coservation of the Architectural & Artistic Heritage. Francesca started as a member of Creswell Crags staff as a Guide at the end of August 2009, and became Operations Manager in May 2010. Francesca is currently away on Maternity Leave.
  • Stephen Pattenden, Operations Manager (Maternity Cover)
    Stephen graduated from Loughborough University in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Geography. He has also recently completed an MSc in Environmental Water Management at Cranfield University. Stephen will be covering the duties of Francesca until summer 2011. He enjoys mountain biking, playing squash and visiting geographically interesting locations.
  • Emma Nicklin, Interpretive Guide
    Emma graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2009 with a BA (Hons) in English Studies. Before joining the team here at Creswell in May 2010, she was a Welcomer and Tour Guide for visitors to Sheffield Cathedral.  She enjoys studying British Sign Langauge at Sheffield College, and hopes that when her studies are complete she will be able to offer tours in BSL.
  • Janet Eames, Catering Manager

    Janet has always had a keen interest in Creswell Crags and became involved as a volunteer in the early eighties, where her artistic and culinary skills proved useful at the many events she assisted with. In those early years she also became very interested in the bat activity around the gorge and has been involved in the majority of the bat related surveys and public walks. She studied at the local college to gain qualifications as a chef and cake decorator and has recently joined the team to develop the new catering facility at the museum.

     

  • James Anderson, Warden

    James has a National Diploma in Countryside Management; this helps him in his job which involves patrolling the site daily. He also he has the job of site maintenance, which includes mowing and strimming through the summer months to woodland management and other jobs through the winter. Part of his work involves improving the biodiversity of the site, putting together management plans for species and habitats and working in partnership with other organisations to improve the fauna and flora. Jim works with many of our volunteers, and involves them in the maintenance of the site. When not at work, you will usually find him taking part in some sort of outdoor activity. He loves rambling, backpacking, caving and anything that gets him close to nature.

  • Henry Higgins, Volunteer / Warden
    Henry worked for HM Forces RAF for 15 years, and has spent 30 years in industry as an instrument/electrical technician. He spent 8 years working as a Warden at Creswell Crags before retiring in December 2010, and now volunteers in his spare time. His vast experience of electrical and mechanical maintenance has proved invaluable in his practical work for the Trust. Henry has also now developed a wide range of new skills needed for the maintenance and conservation of ecologically sensitive sites such as Creswell Crags.
  • Joan Chambers, Sales and Information Assistant

    Joan, who has lived locally for many years, has been part of the team since 1997. She is a dedicated member of our front of house staff, always willing to assist and help you with enquiries. Joan has many years' retail and customer care experience.

  • Ann Cave, Sales and Information Assistant
    Ann joined the reception team in May 2010 having visited the Crags for over 20 years. She enjoys outdoor pursuits of all descriptions but especially all things Equestrian. She owns two mares, three dogs, two goldfish, one son and a husband.
  • Ann Charlesworth, Sales and Information Assistant

    Ann is a valuable team member of our front of house staff responsible for ensuring a high standard of cleanliness throughout the museum. Ann is qualified in both customer care and health and hygiene and is a much-valued member of staff.