Marooned and Attuned: John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman

Nick is one of those people who didn't know he was a bushcrafter until the term seemed to become popular. He had a very rural upbringing, living on Holy Island and then on the mainland in rural North Northumberland. Through these and his mother's 'hippy' lifestyle he was involved in coastal and inland foraging. He learned how to trap and prepare small game and kept pigs, hens and ducks. Before becoming a geography teacher, Nick worked in saddlery where he developed numerous leather working skills. As well as classroom teaching, he led the navigation and expedition modules of the Public Services course and numerous extra curricular activities involving outdoors skills. During his 17 years in the Territorial Army he qualified, amongst other things, as an infantry soldier, pioneer, signaller and chef as well as instructing skill at arms, map reading, NBC etc. Nick has also been a scout and DofE leader, has taught lots of bushcraft and survival skills and led expeditions to Scandinavia and Africa. Nick was a regular contributor to Bushcraft & Survival Skills Magazine, often producing 'behind the scenes' material before working as sub editor and assisting in the organisation of The Bushcraft Show during a transitional time for the business.