Guides

GUIDES NAME: Polly Chapman

PROFILE:

Polly enters her sixth year with Back-Roads Touring, and is one of our  botanists. Polly typically specialises in tours in the UK and Ireland and has run three of our Chelsea tours as well as having accompanied gardens tours of East Anglia & the Cotswolds. Polly'scomes from a professional  teaching background specialising in geography, history and English and she is married to a historical geographer who is also an expert ornithologist (we have been told it rubs off!).

GUIDES NAME: Ambrose Boxwell

PROFILE:

Ambrose joined Back-Roads Touring in 2008 after a 20 year + career in IT which he gave up when it stopped being anything like fun and his children had completed their education. He aims to bring his experience of dealing with international clients to his role with Back-Roads. His family are Irish although he himself missed out on the brogue by contriving to be born in the Midlands of England shortly after they arrived in Birmingham. Now living in the South West, he spends his spare time pursuing his enthusiasm for English Literature and History and exploring by land and by sea aboard his boat 'Hurricane' and/or his trusty Suzuki motorcycle. Ambrose is due to be married in August this year so may give up the motorbiking however next year he plans to spend the winter sailing with from Southern Turkey (where he has a second home) to India, and looks forward to returning with many a travellers tale to share.

GUIDES NAME: Bob Darby

PROFILE:

Bob Darby  is one of our Guild of Battlefield Guides. He served as a soldier in both the British Army and in the service of HM Sultan Qaboos the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman, where he spent 6 years as a contract officer. 'It was probably one of my better periods of military service, training an army of contract soldiers mainly Baluchi tribesmen from Pakistan'.  Operational experience included service in Northern Ireland and the Falklands, ''The army gave me the opportunity to travel the world and in some cases to look at the battle sites of yesteryear, which fuelled my interest in becoming a Battlefield Guide. 'I am particularly proud also of having achieved 'badged' status within the Guild as it is marque given to you by your peers in recognition of your efforts to promote good guiding. It should however, be regarded as a minimum standard for those who aspire to guide on the battlefields of the world.'

After soldiering he ran a successful Financial Services practice for almost 20 years but has now taken semi–retirement in order to focus on leading and guiding battlefield tours and... telling the story!
 
 

GUIDES NAME: David Cawley

PROFILE:

Very much a man of northern Britain, David has lived in, around and close to many of its destinations explored by Back Roads for the best part of his life. A graduate in History and Industrial Archaeology, he is also a Travel Writer and Broadcaster and spends much of his time, when not touring, writing destination features and guides for publications across the world.

GUIDES NAME: Mark Banning

PROFILE:

Having completed an exciting and rewarding first year with Back Roads in 2008, Mark is now one of our fully fledged Battlefield tour guides and is a member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Mark can be found leading weekend and extended battlefield tours in northern France and Belgium throughout the summer, and enjoys connecting the individuals in his groups with the experiences of individual soldiers involved in this great conflict. Mark is a passionate story teller and believes that personal stories make the wider context of the conflict more accessible for many. He was delighted to find that many of his clients in 2008 felt the same.
 

GUIDES NAME: Douglas Leith

PROFILE:

Douglas is one of our charming Scotsmen and has been a guide with Back-Roads for several years, his local knowledge of his homeland making him one of our specialist Scottish tour guides. Douglas has a strong interest in Scottish history, in particular the social history of Scotland, Vikings, Stone Age and Iron Age, so don't be afraid to ask him any questions on these subjects as you travel!

Douglas also possesses a passion for wildlife and geology.

GUIDES NAME: Bryan Love

PROFILE:

Bryan Love is one of our France experts although by birth a Portsmouth man with a long history of work in Secondary and Further Education in Devon, where he was principal of a college. He spends half his time in southern France and is also an enthusiast for the Catalonia region. Looking at Bryan's 'mug shot' you can see a resemblance to famous 'goon' Peter Sellers. He's got a similar sense of humour to!

He has lived in Paris, Perpignan, Barcelona, the Isle of Wight, Yorkshire, Devon and Surrey. He has detailed knowledge of these areas, but also of the Loire Valley, Merseyside, Hampshire and the English Lakes. Bryan speaks French and Spanish, so you can ask him to help translate the menu in the restaurant!
 

GUIDES NAME: Ian Luck

PROFILE:

'Luck by name, luck by nature', is how our colleague from Darlington, Yorkshire, likes to introduce himself. Ian joined us in 2005 and settled in immediately delivering tours of Kent. He's an inveterate reader and lover of all things historical. His deepest love (other then for wife and two young children) is rock music! Ian has many stories of his time working with some of the music world's legends which you'll hear if you ask him whilst out on tour!

GUIDES NAME: David Brookman

PROFILE:

David originally qualified as a structural engineer, then moved into the world of distribution products as a director of several companies and finally retired after running his own manufacturing companies in 2003.His interests include English and British history, the Roman world, Architecture, Archaeology, Art, Music, Gardening and the natural world. He and his wife spent a 15 week holiday last year visiting 14 countries including Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia and Czech and he is looking forward to returning for his fifth year with Back Roads Touring.

GUIDES NAME: Jeremy Rose

PROFILE:

Even though Jeremy spends most of his time in France these days, he still enjoys taking tours in mainland Europe and England for Back-Roads over the summer months. Jeremy is particulary interested in British history  – especially the Tudor period and is also passionate about classical music and popular music of the 20s, 30s and 40s 'I know, I know – I should get out more...'
 

Jeremey's favourite regions of Europe include: Provence, Cote d’Azur in France and Hampshire/Dorset and Devon and Cornwall in England.
 

GUIDES NAME: David Craig

PROFILE:

David is a recent retiree from the British Army where he achieved the rank of Major. David's military career took him across globe to many a hot spot, including the Gulf. Although a distinguished career soldier, he also undertook a number of civvy street commissions in between army stints.
 

He has had 3 years experience with Back-Roads as specialised Battlefield Guide on WW1 Western Front including: Ypres/Arras/Somme/Cambrai/Amiens/Hindenburg Line; Verdun, Argonne and the AEF battlefields (Chateau Thierry/Cantigny/Rock of the Marne/Belleau Wood, St Miheal salient); Gallipoli, Salonika.

 

GUIDES NAME: Thomas Begg

PROFILE:

Tom is one of our charming Scottish guides. He is now winding down from a senior management career in a number of industries as well as having had his own business and  now prefers the more relaxed lifestyle of  being a guide. His home has been in Scotland, England and Wales at different times in his career, however, Tom has also travelled widely in Western Europe as well as the UK. This will be Tom's fourth season with Back-Roads Touring, and he offers a wealth of knowledge of the UK (in particular Scotland) and a passion for photography and history.

 

GUIDES NAME: Derek Smith

PROFILE:

Derek is married, with 2 children and 6 grand-children. He spent his working life in international service industries, including working abroad for the final 15 years, and has also devoted much time to charity through past membership of Round Table and current membership of Rotary. Now retired, he enjoys family, reading, golf, gardening, travelling (any/everywhere) and an active involvement within his local community. He joined Back Roads in 2007, and loves every minute of it. He is most certainly a local to the back-roads, and has extensive knowledge of  the south of England, Kent and London and particularly enjoys our garden  and literary tours as well as those itineraries which  visit  castles and stately homes.

 

GUIDES NAME: John Williams

PROFILE:

This will be John's second successful season with Back-Roads touring. John is a gourmet, and very much enjoys good food and wine, being a keen cook when time permits! He is interested in international politics especially relating to Southern Africa and Israel-Palestine. John possesses a wealth of literary  and historical knowledge of the Britain and also loves theological debates (if you are keen!).

 

In his spare time, John enjoys cycling, walking, swimming, choral singing and listening to classical music. He and his wife enjoy travel especially in Europe, with France our particular favourite.

GUIDES NAME: Denis Waters

PROFILE:

Following a varied career in the fields of Engineering and Media Denis has been guiding with Back-Roads for the last four years. Denis is one of our Irish guides and has a passion for travel, having travelled extensively through Europe and  Southern Africa.  Denis possess as huge wealth of knowledge about his  home country and takes an avid interest in Irish politics and history, so don't hesitate to ask him any question about Ireland's past or present. As a typical Irishman he loves introducing his passengers to the charm of his country and the local characters (being quite the character himself!). His interests include fishing and boating, stemming from early years on Louch Ree in the Irish Midlands.
 

GUIDES NAME: Andy Steel

PROFILE:

Andy Steel is ‘just’ over 50 years old and lives in the Home Counties with his wife, three children and a mad cocker spaniel called ‘Alfie’..
 

 

He enjoys renovating old houses and has just completed a two year project building a three storey extension to his current home. For the preceding thirty three years he was a detective in the British police force serving in the UK and abroad and can relate many tales of murder, mayhem and derring do. In his spare time he enjoys reading, walking, cycling, climbing and gardening.

GUIDES NAME: Jay Cook

PROFILE:

Jay has been a guide with Back-Roads for over 12 years and  has travelled extensively througout the World and brings to us a wealth of Irish knowledge owing to his Irish heritage. Jay's professional background includes the ownership of a bookshop, management consultancy, university lecturing and he was a director of the London marathon - a talented chap! Jay has a keen interest in history, current affairs and literature and is  a keen cyclist and motorcyclist.
 

GUIDES NAME: Vivien Roddya

PROFILE:

Vivien is one of our most experienced guides, having enjoyed over 10 years a Back Roads guide. Vivien has an Irish-Anglo heritage, an Irish mother, English father. She  married a Welsh climber and has preiously lived in Scotland, so brings a huge knowledge of the UK and Ireland. In addtion she has lived in various places in Europe including the Costa Brava, Spain, Geneva, Switzerland, Knokke-le-Zoute, Belgium and Paris but now calls London "home". She has a passion for seeing new places whether working or on her own. Back-Roads recommends that their drivers take the "Advanced Drivers" exam which she passed with flying colours so you will be in very safe hands.

GUIDES NAME: Michael Smith

PROFILE:

Not a retired actor, teacher, airline pilot, locomotive driver making a second career, but a career tour guide having worked as a guide for 90% of his working life, and has loved every minute, well almost! He has a degree in botany,  with gardens and nature as his strongest subjects, so can certainly proves a useful companion for those passionate botanists. He has lived the past 18 years in France and has a huge interest in the history surrounding events during WW1 and WW2. He speaks  French and has a working knowledge of German and Hebrew. Having spent a working lifetime touring the British Isles and Continental Europe, and with a love of history, general touring and sightseeing are well within his competences.

 

'Everyone I have ever met on tours has a story to tell, and one of my greatest pleasures is learning from those I travel with. I have a licence to drive all categories of buses, trucks, and to fly light aircraft.' Michael Smith 2009

GUIDES NAME: Luis Cardoso

PROFILE:

One of our favourite European guides, Luis hails from Portugal, however has lived in the UK for over 10 years. Luis  possess a good regional knowledge of his new homeland, and can be found leading tours in London and the south England region.

Like most Europeans, Luis has a huge passion for  football and travel and enjoys introducing guests to this country.


 

GUIDES NAME: Tony Wade

PROFILE:

Tony is yet another retired policeman having swapped 23 years of Merseyside action for the more sedate setting on the Lambourn downs, amidst some 1500 racehorses. Prior to his police service, he spent 10 years in the Army travelling the world and residing in both Holland and Germany. Horses now dominate his spare time though his lifelong interest is British social history. Tony’s favourite tour is his Liverpool boyhoods “backgarden”, the mountains and Lakes of North Wales.

GUIDES NAME: Michael Boxser

PROFILE:

Michael may be an American, however, he possesses a huge bank of knowledge of London and southern England, in particular East Anglia, Home Counties and Kent. He was born in Chicago and spent thirty years there freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer. He went to the University of Kansas and has a degree in journalism. More recently Michael has lived in Chelsea for  the last 13 years and has worked in a multitude of roles, including a stint as a gas and electricity reader  which opened his eyes to another side of London few people see, namely the inside of total stranger’s homes from the decadently rich to the disgustingly decrepit (a real eye-opener)!

 

Michael's real passion is Rock music which he reads about,  listens to and inflicts it on others whenever possible! Ask him a question about Classic Rock, particularly English progressive and he will answer it!

GUIDES NAME: John Adams

PROFILE:

John spent his youth travelling overland in Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia. His experiences during this period coloured his world view, and he has been fascinated by the politics, sociology, ecology, culture and ethnic diversity of these regions ever since.

John is also a musician and record producer, and still organises European Music tours for artists he has known for many years. His other passion is the environment and he has studies zoology to degree level and is a director for an environmental charity.

John loves meeting people and showing visitors around England and NW Europe to share the enormous cultural diversity of the region. Se speaks several languages badly, but can say ‘cheers’ in over 20, and can order a beer in as many!
 

GUIDES NAME: Brian Turner

PROFILE:

Brian was meant to become an accountant/financial analyst, but preferred to become a school teacher after various part time experiences as a student at ford Motors in the 1950’s and early 60’s. Was a senior Head of Department, teaching in London secondary schools before moving into training teachers after post grad at LSE. Eventually ended up in the Department of Economics and Economic History at Manchester Metropolitan University, where I taught courses in British and American Social History.

To his credit he has written a couple of history textbooks and was a Chief examiner in Social Histury with various examination boards before leaving education and coming to Back-Roads. He has travelled reasonably extensively and  if he had one wish it would be to have learnt to scuba dive long before he did. Under strict supervision from his wife, he is allowed to be a gardener! In his spare time Brian is an amateur photographer and has a love for travelling, good food and wine, as well as talking to people - we think that is pretty much the requirements of a great guide!

GUIDES NAME: David Wood

PROFILE:

David began his career as an officer in the Royal Air Force where he was in Military Intelligence. There followed a complete change in career when he became the Head of Modern Languages at one of Britain's premier public schools, Milfield. Over fifteen years of teaching, David taught the offspring of many famous person, one of which was the grandson of Boris Yeltsin! David's interests include drama (he has appeared at the Edinburgh festival), Egyptology, canals and, the major love of his life, Association Football (soccer).

GUIDES NAME: Peter Tihanyi

PROFILE:

Peter was born in Hungary and grew up and was educated in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He has lived in London since 1971. Peter went to Swansea University and qualified as a social worker and got a Masters Degree from Brunel University in 1989. Peter has worked in the voluntary sector for most of his professional life. He was chief executive of the largest day and communal centre in the United Kingdom and after he left there he worked for 14 years for The Priness Royal Trust for Carers leaving in 2006. He combines his tour guiding with consultancy work in health and social care.