Meet Our Team

Jemma has worked in the museum and heritage industry since graduating from an English Literature BA in 2004. Her work has been focused on Historical education, both formal and informal. She is a passionate story teller 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.

Keith graduated with honours with a degree in Business Computing in the late eighties and spent the next 25 years working developing and managing computer systems eventually ending up in a large insurance company in a middle management position.

Keith went back to University and took a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and qualified as a primary school teacher in 2010.

During this time Keith also volunteered at a York primary school which his children attended. He then took up a position in a York primary school, this is when he first encountered Murton Park. Keith was asked by his Son’s school to attend a couple of Roman days as a parent helper and “had such a great time” he has been here ever since. Initially as a volunteer and soon after as a member of staff on the Murton Park Living History team.

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 his role at Murton Park gives him the opportunity to combine his love of history with education.

He is  joint owner in the Horse display team Equistry and has performed his displays on horseback many times at Murton Park. In his spare time he trains horses and has appeared in various TV and film productions.

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 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 with over 25 years of teaching experience she prides herself on making the history accessible to all.

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!

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.

Jess has recently joined the Murton Park living history team having previously worked in commercial archaeology. Working on projects across the country, including on HS2 sites and Highways England projects gave her the opportunity to work with rare artefacts and the chance to specialise in the study of human skeletal remains!

More recently Jess has worked in the charity fundraising sector, helping UK based charities fundraising campaigns and support online shop services. Jess came to join the team so she could focus on her passion for teaching children and engaging with the public with history and archaeology. Jess has an undergraduate degree in Archaeology from the University of York and a masters degree in palaeopathology from Durham University.

Outside of work Jess can be found messing around in her garden or on her allotment growing her own vegetables and flowers, or curled up on her sofa reading a book.