Local People

Leon Troake is the operations manager at Cheddar Gorge and Caves, just off the Great West Way. He helps to manage the south side of Cheddar Gorge which consists of a number of caves and the highest inland cliff formation in Britian, it's also where the first complete skeleton was found! He says 'expect the unexpected' as his day is rarely the same. 

Malcolm Potter lives on the Westonbirt Arboretum estate and joined the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. His involment in the arboretum grew and grew and he is currently a volunteer guide. Malcolm says there is no typical day in the arboretum! Everyday is different working with so many different people and taking tours which can last up to an hour and a half. 

Will Twomey has been working at West Berkshire Brewery for 13 years and is currently the head brewer. Will's day is usually flat out with lots of problem solving, packaging beer and beer transfers, as well as planning and managing the team. His favourite time to brew is during sunrise as the sun rises up over the fields in Yattendon. 

Martin Whittle, 54, has been head horseman at Wadworth Brewery in Devizes, Wiltshire, for ten years. He is the fourth generation in his family to work with heavy horses. He is married to Vicky, who works at Wadworth too. They have three sons, two of whom also work at the brewery. Martin and his team of four look after the brewery’s three shire horses and can be seen five days a week out and about in Devizes making deliveries, as well as at shows and on pub visits. 

Bob Evans has been a steward on the SS Great Britain in Bristol since 1985 and chief steward for ten years. His encyclopaedic knowledge of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s pioneering steel-hulled passenger ship and passion for the city has won the 76-year-old many awards, including a gold medal in the Outstanding Customer Service category of the Enjoy England Awards in 2009.

Jonathan Hobbs is managing director of boating firm Hobbs of Henley. He is the fifth generation of his family to run the firm, which was founded by Harry Hobbs in 1870. Jonathan has just been appointed as a Queen’s Waterman, following in the footsteps of his dad, Tony.
 

David Glass has been the head gardener at Bowood House, the family home of the Marquis of Lansdowne, near Chippenham, Wiltshire, for 12 years. 

Anne Bartlett is a Blue Badge tour guide and tour director. She takes coach tours all around the Great West Way, telling them about its history, culture and heritage. She lives in Cheltenham with her husband, who is an architect.