Jonathon Green
Jonathon Green – General Manager
Jonathan has been General Manager at Rydal Hall since 2007. Prior to this he held posts in hotels, churches and was General Manager of Whirlow Grange, the Diocese of Sheffield Conference and Spirituality Centre, for sixteen years. He was born in the Isle of Man and trained in catering and hotel management in the Isle of Man and at Blackpool and Fylde College. He is married to Anne with three adult children and two black Labradors and can often be found walking the beautiful fells around the area.
Sue Hall
Sue Hall – Bookings Team
Sue joined the Bookings Team at Rydal in 2007 when she and her husband moved to the Lake District. After a dedicated career in teaching, she felt it was time for a change. Says Sue; “When I was offered this post at Rydal I felt it was a God-given opportunity. I love the job and feel it’s a tremendous privilege to be a part of the Rydal Hall Team.”
Mark Strand
Mark Strand – Administrator and Personnel Co-ordinator
Mark and his family moved to the Lake District in 2008 from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire where he worked with adults with learning disabilities. Prior to this he spent four years working at a parish church in Dulwich, London. He met his wife at the Lee Abbey conference centre in Devon. Says Mark: “We first discovered the richness and diversity of community life at Lee Abbey. It was a desire to encourage and equip others and provide a place of welcome for all that drew us, with God’s guiding, to Rydal Hall. It’s what makes us different from many other centres and our prayer is that as guests come here they feel welcomed into our home.”
Cameron Butland
Cameron Butland – Chaplain
Cameron has been Chaplain of Rydal Hall since January 2004, (as well as being Rector of Grasmere and Vicar of Rydal). He was ordained in Lichfield in 1984 and has served in parishes previously in Wolverhampton, Banbury and Witney. He regularly leads Quiet Days and Retreats based on Celtic Spirituality. He is a member of the Cumbria Ecumenical Spirituality Group, as well as being the Diocese of Carlisle’s Interfaith Officer.
Julie Barrett
Julie Barrett – Bursar
Julie has worked at Rydal Hall since December 2004 and deals with all the book-keeping and accounts as well as welcoming the many guests to the Hall. Being an effective multi-tasker is very handy when working at the Hall.
Julie is also a keen walker and wildlife enthusiast – look out for the bird feeder near the office window!
Carol-Ann
Carol-Ann Baker – Bookings Team
Carol-Ann and her husband moved to Kendal from the south of England a couple of years ago and recently joined the Bookings Team at Rydal Hall.
Filomena Tilhof
Filomena Tilhof – Head Housekeeper
Filomena joined the team in July 2012. She is from Hungary but spent a few years in England at the Wycliffe Centre and a year in France at Eau Vive Provence (both places are conference centres) before taking up the role of Head Housekeeper. Says Filomena: “I felt that this job was a God-given opportunity to work and serve others in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Working at Rydal Hall is a lot more than just a job: it is a lifestyle.”
Martin Scrowston
Martin Scrowston – Estate Manager
Martin has been our Estate manager since 2004. With his team he is responsible for managing and maintaining the Estate including our magnificent gardens and the many listed buildings in line with our conservation status within the National Park. Martin has lived and worked in the Lake District for the last 30 years since moving here from Yorkshire. He has enjoyed a long association with landscape conservation and working in the mountains. Says Martin: “We manage the estate and buildings to encourage sustainable tourism balanced against the need to care and conserve this sensitive environment for future generations to enjoy.”
Iain Turnbull
Iain Turnbull – Head Gardener
Iain has been at Rydal Hall since November 2007, brought here by a desire to live and work in the Lake District. His role is to maintain and develop the stunning garden areas within the historic landscape that surrounds the Hall. His previous experience includes working and studying in private, public and botanic gardens in Scotland and London. Says Iain: “When not weeding, I prefer to be outdoors somewhere using the landscape or indoors with my iPod and a good book.”
Andrew and Kate Kohn
Andrew and Kate Kohn – The Tearoom
Andrew and Kate Kohn are joint managers of our Tea Shop. They have recently moved to Cumbria following a number of years working for BMS World Mission in Nepal where Andrew was the principal of a small international mission school in Kathmandu and Kate was also a member of the teaching staff. Prior to their time in Nepal, both were teachers for many years in Reading. They have two grown up daughters in their late 20s.
