Boat Building Academy Staff
Tim Gedge – Director
Commander Tim Gedge founded the school of boat building in 1997 after a career in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. After a two-year break from the school he returned in January 2006 as a Director. For some years a Yacht Master examiner he has sailed and raced extensively; more recently he was a member of the Council of the Marine South West group within the South West Regional Development Agency and of other marine business associations in the region.
Janine Cashin – Administration
Janine spent 20 years working in the textile industry. In 2013 Janine wanted a complete career change and joined the Boat Building Academy. Janine is responsible for the administration of all courses, answering enquiries, taking bookings and organising accommodation.
George Kingsley - Administration
George worked for a local newspaper before joining the academy in February 2018, he studied Media and Film studies at university. A keen writer, he contributes to several websites and runs his own film-related blog.
Geoff Barrett – Bookkeeping
Geoff worked in electronics manufacturing for 30 years, mostly in production planning and integrating and supporting accounting and manufacturing systems. Geoff joined the Academy in November 2015 and works two days per week.
Rob Hounslow - Machinist
Rob grew up around water, his father runs a fish farm on the River Kennet, but had never sailed. Over the years Rob covered almost every job on the farm, including working with green oak and making bridges and jetties. Wanting to master a craft, Rob attended the Academy’s boat building class of March 2012. One of his many accomplishments while on the course was to grow a vegetable garden on the Small Machine Shop roof. After leaving the course Rob managed and maintained a private estate until he joined the Academy as full time Machinist in August 2017. His hobbies include camping, walking, swimming, playing the guitar and bushcraft.
Steve Hewins – Technician
Steve has worked as a swimming instructor, upholsterer and groundskeeper. He first joined the BBA as a student on the Woodworking Skills course back in September 2012. When the Academy needed a Technician to work with ‘Woodworking Skills’ students, we asked Steve if he would be interested in joining us again on a different side of the workbench. Steve moved from Cheshire to join the team in Lyme Regis at Christmas 2013.
Jonathan Pritchard – Stores
Jon lives in Bridport and has a Masters degree in Product Design Engineering from Glasgow School of Art and the University of Glasgow. In 2011 he completed the Academy’s 8 week ‘Woodworking Skills’ course. Jon also runs his own business ‘JCP Design’ designing and making bespoke wooden speakers using the skills he learned at the Academy.
Tom Hedger - Stores (Temporary)
Tom started his working life on the technical side of the audio-visual industry and youth arts theatre. After which, and until recently he spent most of his time in property maintenance and landscape gardening. He has also worked in engineering, plumbing and even organic farming. He has an interest in cycle touring and hill walking. He came to the BBA a few years ago and worked part time in the maintenance role. He has recently taken over the job of Storeman on a temporary basis.
Wendy Sartin – Housekeeper
Originally from Leatherhead in Surrey, Wendy moved to Lyme Regis over 30 years ago. She is the mother of four children, and Housekeeper at the Lyme Regis Marine Centre.
Mark Kingsley - Maintenance
In his youth Mark was a drummer in the National Youth Orchestra. He restores classic cars and motorbikes, has two greyhounds, plays guitar and writes and produces music that has been played at festivals all over the world.
