ABOUT WILDSIDE

MEET THE TEAM

HARRY JOHNSTON

I grew up in rural Gloucestershire, where being outdoors was part of everyday life. From sport and exploring the countryside to time spent with family, these early experiences shaped my appreciation for the natural environment. I later studied Geography at the University of Exeter, where my interest in people and the environment continued to grow.

My career has included a variety of roles in food and hospitality, including working with Rick Stein in Padstow and as a cheesemaker at Daylesford Organic Farm, where I was part of a team achieving multiple Great Taste Awards. I’ve also spent the past seven years as a full time dad to our three children and serve as Chairman of Upottery Preschool, giving me a strong appreciation of the importance of outdoor learning and experiences for children.

Taking on Wildside brings together many of the things I care about, family, the outdoors, education and food. Our first summer has been a fantastic start, welcoming more than 25 schools and over 100 children to our activity days. I’m excited to build on Wildside’s foundations while introducing new activities, events and experiences for children, families and the wider community.

CAITLIN JOHNSTON

Growing up on a working sheep farm in East Devon shaped who I am today. It taught me the value of responsibility, the importance of relationships, and the confidence that comes from spending time outdoors and caring for animals. Those early experiences sparked a lasting passion for child development through rural activity and for improving children’s access to the countryside.

I studied at the Royal Agricultural University before building a career in the rural sector. A particularly formative experience was spending several months working with Farms for City Children in Gloucestershire, founded by Michael Morpurgo. I was inspired by the charity’s ethos and the profound impact it had on the children who visited, an experience that has stayed with me ever since.

Now, as a mother, I see first hand the positive influence that outdoor and rural experiences have on my own children. It makes me incredibly excited about the future of Wildside and the opportunities it will create for others.

As a rural chartered surveyor, I have a broad understanding of agriculture, food, and countryside management. I currently work for a telecommunications provider supporting the rollout of digital connectivity to rural communities through the government funded Project Gigabit.

With a busy professional and family life, my role at Wildside is largely behind the scenes, where I support my husband Harry in the running and development of the business.

BECKY TROY-BROWN

Becky looks after the food for our school residentials, preparing delicious home-cooked meals from scratch for children after a busy day of outdoor adventures. She brings her own ideas and creativity to the kitchen and loves making food that everyone looks forward to.

She’s also a familiar face around Wildside, serving drinks and ice creams and helping children choose their pizza toppings.

One of Becky’s favourite things about Wildside is hearing how much the children have enjoyed their meals — especially when they come back for seconds!

GEORGE MUNN

George is one of our activity leaders at Wildside, helping children make the most of their time outdoors. He leads activities, encourages children to try new things and helps make each day full of adventure and fun.

Whether he’s helping a group tackle a new challenge or explore the countryside, George enjoys being part of the experiences that make a visit to Wildside memorable.