Dave Orange
Managing Director/Business Owner
Dave Orange is the Managing Director and Owner of Open Door Adventure and he has over 40 years’ experience in the world of Outdoor Pursuits, Business Management, Teaching & Training.
Dave established Open Door Adventure in 1992 with the express intention of providing people (not least the young) with opportunities to enhance and improve the quality of their lives through delivering personally designed courses, where the classroom is the outdoors and learning is experiential.
Dave has had a very interesting life. He spent 22 years in the Armed Forces in the Signals as a Specialist Operator in Communications and 12 in the Royal Army Physical Training Corp as a PE and Outdoor Pursuits Specialist, training Officers and SNCO Soldiers to be Managers and fit to lead their teams.
Aside of the Forces, Dave has participated in (and on some trips been responsible for leading) 35 worldwide expeditions including 10 trips to the Himalayas, reaching 8000 metres without oxygen on Mount Everest! He also spent 3 years as part of the Glen Coe Mountain Rescue Team in Loch Aber.
In his private life, Dave continues to enjoy the outdoors, especially mountaineering, climbing, canoeing and skiing and regularly goes on trips to the States, Canada and the French Alps. He has a keen interest in conservation, the environment, nature and wildlife and his hobbies include photography, reading and current affairs.
Mark R
Senior Instructor
Mark joined Open Door Adventure in 2019.
After leaving the Army in 2003 and working on some of the largest civilian projects in the UK, Mark quickly realised there was more to life and embarked on a National Diploma in Sport & Outdoor Education.
After completing his education he moved to Yorkshire and quickly progressed to managing his own groups around the North of England. He is an experienced Mountaineer and in 2011 completed a life goal by summiting Mont Blanc.
Mark has paddled and climbed all over the UK and looks forward to hopefully back to Europe. He strongly believes in personal development and experiential learning. His motto in life is “If you can’t do it, keep trying”.
Alan J
Maintenance Engineer
Before becoming a member of staff, Alan used to do maintenance work for Open Door Adventure. In 2016 and having proved his worth to Dave Orange, the Business Owner, he was offered a permanent contract of 3 days per week. Alan has been a joiner since the age of 16, so has 50+ years of experience behind him.
Alan’s role is very mixed as you might expect! One moment you may find him up on the roof, the next doing battle with one of the sash windows and then on a good day, sitting astride the ride-on mower and cutting the grass around the 25-acre site – which he particularly enjoys.
In his personal life, Alan is married to Gina; he has 1 child and 4 grandchildren. Alan is particularly known for his love of grabbing bargain holidays and makes it his mission to have at least 2 a year.
Connor
Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
“Tose” joined Open Door Adventure in August 2021. Having studied for 2 years to become a Carpenter and Joiner, he decided against the profession planned since schooldays. Tose decided he wanted a real challenge and the challenge he wanted was a career in Outdoor Pursuits!
The trigger for this life-changing decision was when he did an abseil down St Asaph Cathedral at a Charity Event Open Door Adventure was supporting. Mark the Senior Instructor was leading the sessions and Connor was smitten with the adrenaline buzz.
Athletic by nature, Tose is now on his journey to become a fully qualified Outdoor Pursuits Instructor and has completed Archery Instructor Training and Paddle Sports, not to mention the hands-on support training since beginning at Open Door.
He aims to become proficient and expert as a Climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader, not to mention Paddle Sports and many more. Tose is delighted to have had the opportunity to join Open Door Adventure as a result of the Kickstart scheme and he’s very excited for the career journey that lies ahead of him.
Welcome to the team Tose and we wish you all the very best!
Sturdy
Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
“Sturdy” joined Open Door Adventure in August 2021 having seen a recruitment advert on Facebook.
Although new to the Outdoor Pursuits industry Sturdy has always been an “action man” and practising Kayaking, Sea Kayaking and Cycling. He spent a year travelling and for part of that time he cycled independently around the greater part of Europe. In addition to these activities, in his spare time he enjoys Orienteering, Wild Camping, Bushcraft and Climbing. His passion for travelling led to him acquiring an Adventure Campervan .. this now fills a good part of our car park when Sturdy is in work 😊!
Sturdy is delighted to be working in an environment that offers activities close to his heart but he’s also keen to help people grow and develop new and existing skills .. sometimes, skills they don’t even know they have.
Talking of skill building, already Sturdy has undertaken external training in the delivery of archery and in February and then a week’s Instructor training on Paddle Sports (not to mention the day to day internal training he’s been getting since day 1). Welcome aboard Sturdy and we wish you well!
Sue
Housekeeper & Catering Staff Member
Sue joined the Open Door Team in August 2021 and if you visit, you’ll be sure to meet her and her sister Dawn. Sue works as part of the House Team, helping prepare your food, waiting on and cleaning. Sue is trained at Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering.
In her private life Sue is mum to no less than 4 children! She’s a little dynamo in action and leaves her colleagues amazed at her energy since 3 of her children are still Primary School age!
Sue doesn’t get a lot of time for herself but when she does, she’s an avid reader and also enjoys a good “bop” .. her music tastes range from The Irish Rovers, Lucy Spraggon, Eminem and Happy Hardcore.
Russ
Maintenance Assistant
Russ is the newest recruit to Open Door Adventure as he started in May 2022 and works as a Maintenance Assistant. So far, his job has been focussed on keeping the grounds and Bell Tents tidy and ready for visitors.
Russ has worked in a wide range of positions in his past, but he loves the outdoors and is happiest sitting on the electric mower.
When not in work Russ is an accomplished Disc Jockey and has his own sound-deck so if you fancy having live music during your stay, say the word as Russ is your man. Just please don’t let him sing as his karaoke skills do not match his DJ performance.
Erin
Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
Erin joined the Open Door Team in May 2022; she’s one of the instructors and so far, is the only female in the all-male group!
Erin heard about Open Door Adventure through her existing friendship fellow-instructor Connor. She was then studying Policing at University and at the time of writing she is still considering her long-term future but she’s certain she wants to stay in the world of Outdoor Pursuits training.
Erin’s big love is climbing high mountains; her aim is to become Rock-Climbing Instructor. So far, she has climbed most of the mountains in Snowdonia, the Dolomites in Italy as well as Ben Nevis and a few other Scottish peaks.
When not up mountains, Erin likes nothing more than horse-riding and she’s also really interested in developing skills in social media.
Dawn
Housekeeper & Catering Staff Member
Dawn joined the Open Door Team in May 2019 and if you visit, you’ll be sure to meet her and her sister Sue. Dawn works as part of the House Team, helping prepare your food, waiting on and cleaning. Sue is trained at Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering.
In her private life Dawn is the mum of 2 teenage children and her daughter sometimes joins her mum at work and helps during the busy summer months.
Dawn’s big passion is horses. She owns 2 horses she’s been incredibly proud this year to see her daughter competing in show jumping.