Meet Our Team

Jemma has worked in the museum and heritage industry since graduating with a BA (Hons) in English Literature in 2004. Her work has been focused on Historical education, both formal and informal. She is a passionate storyteller with a particular interest in bringing characters from the past alive.

In 2018 Jemma went back into education, gaining a distinction in Foundation Art and Design from Leeds Arts University, this has led onto further study, where she has completed a BA Hons degree in Illustration, also at Leeds Arts University.

Emma first joined the Murton Park team in 2008 having graduated from the University of York and Cardiff University with degrees in Archaeology and Conservation of Objects for Museums. She left to embark on a PGCE in 2012.

After five years in the world of primary schools, she returned to Murton Park where she took on the roles of both Living History Interpreter and Conservator for the Farming Museum. In 2022 she took over as Collections Manager for the museum and is really enjoying working to develop and improve it.

Simon has a passion for history, particularly Cavalry. He is a horse trainer and a mounted reenactor and enjoys bringing history to life. His role at Murton Park gives him the opportunity to combine his love of history with education.

Simon is also known as the Yorkshire Knight and has performed his displays on horseback many times at Murton Park. In his spare time, he trains horses and has appeared in many Historic events around England and various TV and film productions on horseback.

Before joining the Murton Park team, Simon was a cycle trainer teaching Bikeabiity within schools as well as a TA Level 3.

Carolyn qualified as a primary teacher in 1994 and worked in Leeds for 18 years before moving to the East Riding.

Going part-time after having two sons, she was able to realise her dream of living as a history interpreter when her boys reached their teens. She joined the Murton team, initially as a volunteer, in 2018 and continues to teach as well. Having worked with many children with additional needs and after teaching for 30 years, Carolyn has retired but still loves working with children at Murton.

Outside of education and history, Carolyn is a keen WI member and a reasonably competent baker…which goes some way to explain why she has to keep letting her costumes out!

Dave has been involved with historical re-enactment since the 1970’s – the infancy of living history. Over the years he has worked at several museums, particularly in the Birmingham area, as an interpreter and educational officer covering periods from the iron age to modern times.

He is a qualified Teaching Assistant with a particular interest in working with children with special needs.

David joined the Murton team in 2008.

Chris holds a Masters degree in Cultural Heritage Management. He has conducted award-winning research into the provision of hands-on opportunities in regional museums, and is passionate about the provision of experiential learning in heritage education. As such, he is delighted to be working with the rest of the team at Murton Park to provide fun, educational and interactive visits for school groups.

Beyond Murton, Chris is an avid early-medieval re-enactor and craftsperson, working with textiles, wood, leather and other traditional mediums to create replica artefacts. When not sharing his enthusiasm for history with the public, Chris can probably be found up a mountain, putting his new costume to the test through an extended hike!

Tom joined the Murton team in 2024, after completing an undergraduate degree in History and MA in Medieval Studies, both at the University of York. His specialism is the Anglo-Saxon period, and particularly the clothing and tools of everyday people; a perfect match for the Living History team at Murton Park! His passion has always been to share his love and knowledge of the past with others and relishes in the opportunity to make Murton Park’s living history days engaging, educational and exciting.

Tom has never been able to give up studying and researches and writes on the early medieval period. He also enjoys historical crafts and experimental archaeology, reproducing archaeological artefacts with traditional methods. When not nose-deep in a book or in the workshop, Tom can be found in the garden or out and about in nature.

After years of working in museums, heritage organisations and customer service, Lottie has recently joined the team in her dream role in museum education here at Murton Park.

After completing an MA in Historic Building Conservation from the University of York with a specialism in everyday/ working class heritage and women’s history, Lottie worked as a heritage consultant for several years before going into teaching. Lottie also runs the historic dance company- Dance the Past- teaching everything from medieval dance to the mid-20th century. She undertakes research, teaches workshops and organises historic balls and events.

When she’s not working, dancing or researching she loves playing board games and travelling whenever possible.

Mia joined the Murton team in 2025, having studied Archaeology and Heritage at undergraduate level, then Digital Archaeology as a Postgraduate Certification. She approached both courses with a prehistoric lens, looking particularly at Neanderthals and how humans changed alongside their technology. Following the successful completion of these studies, Mia worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school, solidifying a longstanding interest in education.

Teaching on the Living History team here at Murton Park has therefore tied together her professional interests, as well as allowing her to pick up crafting skills that complement her hobbies at home.

Richard has worked in the museum and heritage sector for over twenty years, delivering engaging historical interpretation in thousands of schools, museums, and heritage sites across the UK. A passionate storyteller, he uses hands-on, object-based learning and theatrical interpretation to bring history to life.

As a qualified teacher with QTS, Richard is proud to make history accessible and meaningful for all learners. His classroom experience allows him to adapt his sessions to suit a wide range of learning styles and needs.

Outside of work, Richard enjoys exploring Yorkshire’s museums, castles, and parks with his son. Sharing these adventures has inspired his son’s own love of history and storytelling.

Rob is an experienced performer and educator, with a background in Theatre and Performance and extensive experience working with a wide range of audiences. He has toured nationally with theatre productions delivering educational work in schools, developing strong skills in audience engagement, adaptability, and clear communication — all central to creating effective and inclusive learning experiences.

Rob works at Murton Park as a Living History Interpreter, specialising in immersive, character-led interpretation. His particular area of interest is Roman Britain, which informs his approach to research, storytelling, and public engagement at Murton Park.

When Rob is not working at Murton Park, he is one of the founding members of Pop Yer Clogs Theatre, a theatre company based in York, producing accessible and engaging work for a variety of audiences. He also runs the YouTube channel Rob’s Roman Britain, where he researches and shares his passion for Roman Britain through educational video content. Outside of his work, Rob enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, reading, and drawing inspiration from historic landscapes and sites that inform his living history practice.

Flo is an experienced practitioner, having taught in Youth Theatres and devised and delivered workshops and activities for different age groups across a multitude of capacities.

Flo also works as Events and Marketing Assistant, running the social media accounts, as well as other duties here at Murton Park.

When Flo is not teaching or Tiktoking, she co-runs ‘Fladam Theatre’- a family theatre company, performing original musical storytelling shows around the country. This includes theatres, schools, libraries and festivals, including Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Glastonbury.