The Team
Management Team
The Adult and Community Learning Manager and Team Leader lead on key strategies, service delivery and projects.
They are supported by course Development Workers, Business Support staff.
Angela Marshall
Adult and Community Learning Manager
Jenny Wilkes
Team Leader – Adult Learning
Administrative Officers
Maria Chidgey
Business Support Assistant
Rachele Piffaretti
Business Support Assistant
Hayley Leonard
Business Support Assistant
Haluk Aysu
Learning Centre Assistant
Development Workers
Veronique Bontemps
Veronique is the curriculum lead and course organiser for Arts, Crafts, Health and Wellbeing, Film Studies, Sewing and Textiles
Marlis Mulder
Marlis is the curriculum lead and course organiser for Languages, ICT, Cookery, Gardening, History and General Interest
Work For Us
We are always on the lookout for new courses and ideas. We welcome expressions of interest from adult learning tutors who are passionate about their subject and interested in sharing and inspiring others to learn.
If you are interested in teaching for us please send us a summary of your skills and experience and the subjects and classes that you would like to offer.
Any vacancies in our management and office team are advertised through the Bristol City Council Job pages.
Lecturers, Tutors and Facilitators
Ann Huntley
Subject: Sewing My early enthusiasm for making clothes was ignited when my grandmother allowed me to take her tailored suits apart. I had my first sewing machine at the age of ten; by fourteen I was following the latest fashions and making my own clothes. I went on to gain a City & Guilds in […]
Nen Crosby
Subject(s): Tai chi and Qi gong (gentle exercise) Every day I feel the benefits of doing Tai chi, of slowly improving my posture, being able to relax my mind and body, breathing more deeply, using my body more efficiently – I feel it boosts my general wellbeing. I teach because I love to see other people […]
Rebecca Plas
Subject: Printmaking I have lived in the South of Bristol for nearly fifty years. In 2024, I graduated with distinction from my MA in Fine Art Printmaking at the University of the West of England. Before this, I enjoyed a twenty-year career as a Secondary School Art Teacher in Somerset, where I discovered my passion […]
Julián Segura
Subject: Spanish I’ve been teaching Spanish for more than 8 years in Bristol in public and private institutions and have taught all levels from GCSE and A-level, up to advanced and conversational classes. I use modern communicative methods when I teach which helps immerse students in the language. We always have fun and I make […]
Jenny Ibrahim
Subjects: Oil Painting and Drawing Jenny Ibrahim is an experienced art tutor who has been teaching painting and drawing at Stoke Lodge for many years. Jenny teaches oil painting and drawing classes and her classes give beginners and more advanced learners the opportunity to develop and explore their skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. […]
Mary Kelly
Subject: Painting in acrylic, watercolour, mixed media, making handmade paper and sculpture. I am a qualified Art teacher / Artist, with a degree in fine art-painting and a teachers’ certificate. I have 23 years teaching experience across the country in galleries, schools and adult education centres. This has included working for national parks, outdoor pursuit […]
Marika Parisi
Subject: Italian Tutor I am an Italian native from Sicily, but grew up between Turin and Milan, so I know very well the culture of very different parts of Italy. I worked for two years in Rome as a tourist guide. After that I came back to Sicily where, in Siracuse, I ran my own […]
Laurel Smart
Subjects: Painting and Drawing – Space for Creativity: Acrylic, Watercolour, Mixed Media, I have taught painting in schools, colleges, universities and, since 1983, in Adult Education. I have built up a wealth of knowledge about how people learn and how to create a friendly and productive learning environment. I have taught structured courses in which […]
Christel Stoecker-Danby
Subjects: German Hallo, ich heiße Christel! Having been born and bred in a rural area near Cologne, I have also lived and worked in Bonn, Stuttgart and Zürich, before settling in England. I love teaching my mother tongue, German, to adults using lots of different activities and games to consolidate the learning. On German Days […]
Debby Bird
Subject/s: Textiles – Embroidery, Knitting, Crochet and Felt Making I am an experienced teacher and textile artist having taught for over 30 years. I have had many exhibitions with my textiles and mixed media work worked as an artist in residence. I love colour and use layers and exquisite details in my pictures and embroidered […]
Ruth Adams
Ruth has extensive experience in working as a Stained Glass artist and teaching Stained Glass. Ruth trained in London and achieved a Postgraduate qualification in advanced studies in Stained Glass from the Central London School of Art and Design. After completing her training she then taught for ten years at the City Literary Institute (now known […]
Bill Guilding
Bill Guilding is a professional artist and has been teaching drawing part-time for over 10 years. As an artist he has carried out several commissioned public mural paintings and portraits. Bill originally graduated in Fine Art at U.W.E, later qualified as a teacher with a PGCE, and has taught in schools and colleges. Here Bill […]
Luz Marina Lecomte
Subject: Spanish I am a graduate of the University of Tolima in Colombia, my native country, where I earned a degree in Modern languages specialising in teaching English and Spanish as a second/foreign language. My most recent achievement has been my PGCE, Level M, course with UWE. During the last fifteen years, I have taken […]
Siena Dexter
Subject: History Tutor I have always been fascinated by history, society, and the stories that shape our understanding of where we come from. Growing up with a religious education, I was captivated by biblical tales but often found myself asking more questions than I received answers. This curiosity led me to pursue a BA in […]
Sarah Alder
Subject: Cookery tutor I am passionate about helping people discover, or rediscover, the joy to cooking and the huge benefits that eating together can bring. I am a keen advocate of cooking from scratch, where possible, and like to support people to really make the most of the ingredients they’re buying. I love to travel […]
Barbara Disney
Subject: Printmaking I have many years experience of running courses, workshops and creating public art within a socially engaged practice. As a printmaker I work on a variety surfaces, including textiles, paper, porcelain and enamelling metal.
Cristina Valladares
Subject: Crochet A passionate crocheter and keen crafter for more than 15 years. Nothing gives me more joy than making something with my own hands. I have a small craft business Tenguerengue Art Works where I sell crochet kits with a range of projects to choose from. I really love 3D crochet and cute stuffed […]
Sarah Edwards
Subject: Willow Sculpture I have been teaching craft and willow workshops at Stoke Lodge since 2011 and I love showing people how to turn a pile of sticks into a work of art. I am a designer maker and my particular interest is in creating installations out of willow and recycled materials. I have created […]
Sarah Scott
Subject: Cookery tutor I have been designing and delivering cookery classes in various settings for over 15 years and love to share my passion for good food and eating well. When people gather to cook together and share a meal, they are not just consuming food—they’re participating in a communal experience. The act of eating […]
Richard Stride
Subject: History My passion for studying the past led me into a teaching career at a leading Bristol school. My interests range across the centuries but with two degrees in Ancient History I have decided to run my Stoke Lodge courses on aspects of the ancient world. This is an exciting subject area as we […]
Matthew Heyse-Moore
Subject: Music I have been listening to music for as long as I can remember, playing my parents’ records and receiving piano lessons from my Grandma. Later I had more formal lessons in clarinet and piano, but still remember how much I learnt from that journey of discovery, listening to and reading about music, and […]
Rosemary Caldicott
Subject: Family History Research I gained a further education teaching qualification following my masters degree and have taught extensively as a university lecturer in history and research. I now specialise in social and political history having a key interest in workhouse records, and exploring how the concept of the family has changed throughout modern history. […]
Eve Bechmann-Johnson
Subject(s): French and Bilingualism Originally from Paris, I have settled in Bristol and have been running classes at Stoke Lodge for many years in addition to private teaching and teaching French in businesses. I am passionate about languages and I love to share my knowledge of the French language and culture. I am interested in […]
Kaitlin Fincham
Subject: Art History I began my creative journey completing an MFA in Creative Writing at Hong Kong University, where I explored the interplay between narrative and visual art. During this time, I wrote and directed a short film noir set against Hong Kong’s enigmatic backdrop – a project that deepened my appreciation for story telling […]
Caroline Davenport
Subject: Spanish I studied French and Spanish at degree level, gained a PGCE and then an MA in Translation. I have lots of experience teaching Modern Languages in both the adult and secondary sectors. I have taught at all levels from complete beginner to A level. In my classes there is an emphasis on communication […]
Carolyn Lewis
Subject: Creative Writing I’m a published novelist and prize-winning short story writer as well as a creative writing tutor. I have an MPhil in Writing together with a PhD and both have given me greater understanding of how to write fiction. My text books, based on my teaching methods have been approved by Cambridge University […]
Lorraine Joseph
Subject – Dressmaking & textiles My name is Lorraine Joseph and I have worked for the Bristol Adult Learning Service for many years delivering Dressmaking classes and a variety of Saturday Sewing Workshops. As a Designer/Dressmaker I specialise in Wedding and Special Occasion Wear. My reward as a tutor is to pass on my skills […]
Christine Pritchard
Subject/s: Gardening and Garden Design I worked as an under-gardener at Showerings in Shepton Mallet before going to horticultural college. In 1987 I came back to Somerset to start my own landscape design business. I received my MA in environmental policy and management from UWE, where I focused my dissertation on landscaping barn conversions. Following […]
Nicky Hamilton
Subject: Upholstery My first experience with upholstery began in an evening class over 20 years ago, I loved it and was hooked. I gave up my job as a Physio and embarked on a full-time, 2 year, City and Guilds course in Upholstery which I passed with distinction. Once the course was over I set up a business with a […]
Laura Geraci
Subject: Italian Language and Culture I am Italian, grew up in Sicily and came to England in 1999 inspired by a great love for traveling and for foreign languages. Having finished my language degree in Exeter I completed my PGCE and began teaching. In 2005 I started running Italian evening classes and I have been […]
Roma Widger
Subject: Painting, Drawing and Printmaking I’m Roma Widger, I’m professional art teacher and I have taught Drawing, Painting in all genres, and printmaking for over 20 years. I want to share my professional art secrets with you by delivering my courses online as an opportunity for all students across the UK. I offer group classes […]
Warren Sealey
Subject: Art Warren Sealey is a classically trained artist who works in oil paint, watercolour, pastel and various drawing media. He first trained at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto Canada before moving on to Florence Italy where he remained for four years studying at various schools in the city. This has given him […]
Jason Loh
Subject – Japanese Garden Design I was born in Singapore and lived in South-East Asia for 21 years. Following the 2009 financial crisis, I left a decade-long career as a property lawyer and retrained at Oxford in Landscape & Garden Design. After winning an RHS silver medal at BBC Gardener’s World Show Garden competition for […]
Marilyn Mitchelmore
Coming from a family of glove makers in Wales, I’ve always been keen on sewing. I find the benefits of sewing to be vast! Sewing can be calming as well as teaching us patience.
Gorka Diaz
Subject: Spanish I grew up in Pamplona, North of Spain, where I went to university and gained my degree in Philosophy. After finishing my PGCE, I moved to Denmark where I worked as a Spanish teacher. Then, I spent two years at Eastern Michigan University where I pursued my Masters in American Literature and worked […]
Ellie Talay-Minaei
Subject: Art My name is Elham (Ellie) Talay-Minaei. As an artist, I started my journey in 2012, exploring various mediums such as watercolour, acrylic, and oil painting. Since then, I’ve been actively involved in the watercolour art scene and have developed a deep passion for this expressive medium. In 2019, I moved to Bristol and […]
Mariví O’Leary
Subject: Spanish I have worked in adult/community education for a number of years. At Stoke Lodge, I have taught my mother tongue, Spanish, at all levels. I have also run Spanish theme days, Spanish cookery classes, Spanish discussions and Spanish film days. At present I teach intermediate level Spanish and advanced conversational Spanish. In my classes, you […]
Kathryn Delve
Kathryn Delve British Master Florist BSc Hons, ACIB, MDPF, AIFD, IOPFAF I am an independent British Master Florist, tutor and floral demonstrator based in North Somerset. I studied at ‘The British Academy of Floral Art’ achieving a Master’s Diploma in Floristry. I have had the opportunity to demonstrate in the USA, where I achieved American […]
Neil Harrison
Subject: History Although I spent most of my career working as an Account Director in the IT & Communications sector, I decided to pursue a dream and teach my favourite subject which is history. I studied history at the University of Stirling and completed my dissertation on Anglo-Sino relations in the 19th century. I have […]
Lorna Watson
Subject(s): Bridge and IT. I have taught Bridge since 2006 and love introducing new people to this fascinating game. I love seeing the friendships develop among my classes as well as seeing how bridge gives people a new challenge to keep the mind active! I have played bridge socially and as a club member for about […]