I have a BA Hons. in Fine Art, Sculpture, but never seem to have used it.

I have been a Chef, a Soldier, a Blacksmith and a Plater in a factory.

Born in Sunderland, I have lived in North Wales, Hong Kong, Jordan, Zambia and Germany. I currrently work from home as Database Manager, Web Developer and SEO Manager for a company in Cheshire. We moved to Shropshire in 2006 and love the county. I feel priveliged to be part of TCHT.

Originally from the town of Hereford on the Welsh/English border Sue trained first in artist pottery at Hereford Art College and then in art glass at Stourbridge Art College (one of the foremost training centres in the UK for Art glass) graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Sue joined the faculty of Birmingham Polytechnic on graduation as a studio tutor working in glass and ceramics. She was awarded her Phd. in 1998 for research into the early glass making techniques of the Hellenistic period, much of her research being practical exploration of the making techniques. She is currently a lecturer in 3-dimensional design at the University of Central Birmingham and a practicing artist in glass and ceramics.

Sue has a wealth of experience teaching practical studio skills at an undergraduate and adult learning level. She recently undertook training in sustainable forest management, green wood working and biodiversity monitoring and is a fundamental part of the Novers Forest garden project. She also takes an active part in wildlife monitoring within the Novers and upon the hill both within TCHT and with the Titterstone Community Wildlife group for which she is chair person.

Darren was born in the shadow of Titterstone and has spent all his life on the hill as a proud member of the legendary Broome family who have lived upon the hill for many generations. Darren is the local blacksmith and a fundamental part of the hill community. He trained as a blacksmith at Hereford college and returned to set up a practice upon the Hill.

In 2006 he took on the Bitterley Forge building, part of the Field and Mackay Quarry legacy. Working there up until last year when a series of floods made it impossible to continue. Reluctantly he moved to a drier forge building at Cleobury North where he continues to serve the Hill community.

He joined TCHT in 2007 and has contributed enormously to the events and projects that TCHT has undertaken. Notably he was a fundamental part of the TCHT programme of Autumn rural fairs, the 2011 Hill Games and most memorably the 2011 TCHT soabox build and Richards Castle run as joint pilot. His finest hour perhaps was the 2012 New Years day summit forge when in the teeth of a gale Darren made and handed out leaf key rings to those who braved the hill.

I am an engineer with a physics degree and have worked in electronics design and software engineering. When an opportunity to retire early occurred I took it and we moved to Bitterley on the west slope of the hill in 2008. I am an active volunteer in the Novers woodland and am interested in how people have used the resources available on the hill over the years. As an engineer I would like to see the Benson’s Brook hydro scheme generating power again.