Meet the Team

Peter Pusey - General Manager

Having started studying geology at University I left and emigrated to New Zealand to work as a farm worker. That started me on a cycle of travelling which lasted 10 years, took in 30 different countries and included working as a mill operator for Savage River Mines and a prospecting hand for Shell Minerals Exploration. During my travels I was never parted from my geological hammer despite its 22 ounce weight in my rucksack! On returning to the UK I worked first as a countryside warden then as a countryside manager setting up and running a Countryside Training Centre, a Community Farm and then a National Forest visitor centre. I joined the team at the Museum of Isle Wight Geology just 3 months before the opening of Dinosaur Isle. Whilst my experience is very much in tourism my heart is in geology and it is wonderful to be able to close the circle after so many years! Dinosaur Isle is a great place to work. I have an office with a spectacular view across Sandown Bay, and there is always the excitement of  new fossil finds being brought into the museum.

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Steve Hutt - Curator of Geology

I’m a dinosaur nerd! which means I eat, sleep and dream dinosaurs and other sorts of fossil life. But once, a long time ago, I was quite sane – or almost so – and had a normal job. I’ve worked in the City of London, I’ve been a policeman, and I spent some time looking for gold in South America.

At Dinosaur Isle, I extract bones and other fossils from rocks; comparing them with similar discoveries in other museum collections and, if they are unique or particularly interesting, writing a scientific report about them.

I dug up (with lots of help) the big sauropod skeleton on display in the gallery, but my favourite has to be the black-boned skeleton of Neovenator, a big flesh-eating dinosaur that I named in 1996.

I enjoy working at Dinosaur Isle, building models and talking with visitors. I also enjoy growing trees, walking, visiting churches and other old buildings, and reading.

The curator's role at Dinosaur Isle is a very diverse one. Primarily, they care for the collection, but an equally important role is interpreting the collection and the Island’s geological heritage to the public. One of the main objectives is to establish international links for the museum.

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Trevor Price - Community Learning Officer

I look after the Education side of things at the Museum and I do a certain amount of the engineering work as well. I give talks to school groups and lead field trips for schools, societies and the general public. The schools work could not be done without all of the staff here taking part, especially during June. I am in the process of extending our marketing/advertizing in order to bring in more educational groups out-of-season. For some of the time I work in the lab preparing fossils and making models, including fabricating and welding the metal frames.

I maintain the Dinosaur Isle website, and am currently rebuilding much of the site to make it easier to read and use. In addition I am a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Museums' Emergency Response Team; on call to assist other museums in case of incidents that may put their collections at risk.

I am one of the rare Islanders working here at the Museum and so bring with me a large amount of local knowledge. I entered this career after many years working in the defence industry, before taking a Geology degree and gaining valuable experience as a volunteer at the old Museum of Isle of Wight Geology. In 2004/5 I walked most of the coastline of the Isle of Wight in order to produce a report on the state of the visible geology called the Local Geodiversity Action Plan (LGAP). I have also just completed a post-graduate course through the University of Leicester.

Outside of work I am interested in most things mechanical, particularly four-wheel drive vehicles and am a member of the Isle of Wight Military Vehicle Group (motto - 'the museum on the move') and the national Military Vehicle Trust.

I'm also learning to ride a horse, and get out whatever the weather (I'm also now saving up for my own horse). However, when the weather is good enough I also enjoy mountain biking, visiting country shows and fossil collecting.

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Martin New - Part-time Interpretation Assistant

I've been a fossil collector for over 20 years, starting when my son badgered me to take him collecting fossils on a local beach. He then swapped the fossils for agates and gem stones.

My love for fossils grew, first with crocodile and turtle, and then to mammal fossils.

I have worked at Dinosaur Isle from 2007, and before that as a volunteer with the museum.

My main jobs at the museum are field trips, talks and guiding groups around the museum for the many schools who visit us; working in the lab assisting Steve our curator preparing fossils and helping out with displays; and I also do the odd bit of general maintenance.

I organize displays at fossil shows, for example at Lyme Regis and Lyndhurst and am the vice chairman of the Friends of Dinosaur Isle.

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Gary Blackwell - Part-time Interpretation Assistant

I've been interested in palaeontology since I was 4 years old. After many years working in various boatyards as a fitter, mechanic and many other jobs I decided to embark on a career in palaeontology. I am currently studying for a BSc (Hons) degree in Earth Sciences through the Open University.

Previously I also worked as a preparator and interpretor at Dinosaur Farm for 3 years. I then worked as a volunteer at Dinosaur Isle before taking on this job.

I now work as an interpretation assistant, working mainly in the lab - involved in preparation work, talking to the public interpretting fossils and palaeo-environments. I also help Trevor, Penny and the two Steves with guided fossil walks. I have also been helping Steve with sculpting and modelling some of the displays which is enjoyable and rewarding.

I enjoy my job very much, I am lucky to work with a wonderful group of people here at Dinosaur Isle.

My interests are palaeontology, geology, biology, drawing, painting, modelling, gardening, conservation, reading, collecting fossils and of course dinosaurs!

Penny Newbury - Part-time Community Learning Assistant

I was born on the Isle of Wight and started collecting fossils here at the age of 4. 

I guess the reason I'm working here is that I've never grown up - the natural world still fills me with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

I enjoy sharing this with school parties and all visitors - especially when I'm on the beach fossil hunting.  I also do some work on displays and digging up dinosaurs. I sometimes work in the shop if I can remember how the till works.

If I'm not here then I'm probably in my workshop cutting and polishing fossils; from this I try to learn more of the inside story of how they lived, died and were mineralized. I might also be walking, snorkelling or making bread.

See you.

Steve Radforth - Part-time Community Learning Assistant

Steve provides support for our school visitors, having previously worked as an A-level geology teacher in a secondary school for many years. Now semi-retired he also leads some of our public fossil walks and has a wealth of experience to draw on.

Alex Peaker - Part-time Community Learning Assistant

Hello I'm Alex, I have had a strong passion for fossils from when I was a child, and although when younger I never managed to find many fossils for myself, I was still interested in them, and spent a lot of my time on the beaches or in local museums at least looking at them.

In 2009 I graduated from the University of Southampton having studied for a degree in geology, and joined the team at Dinosaur Isle to fulfil my passion for rocks and fossils. I work leading fossil walks, taking school groups and giving talks. Sometimes I work on the tills.  I try to help people in their quest to find fossils at all time and welcome any questions on fossils and how to find them.

In the near future I intend on increasing my knowledge of palaeontology by returning to university for further education. The photo is of myself after completing a wet week of work in Anglesey, having spent the time making a geological map and studying the metamorphism and folding of the rocks in the area.

Sue Wilkins - Retail Supervisor

Hi, I’m Sue Wilkins and I look after the shop, reception area and the staff who work there. I am also unofficial agony aunt and custodian of the agony chair. I have been employed here since Dinosaur Isle opened in August 2001.

I moved to the Island in 1995 from Buckinghamshire with my family – 3 daughters, 3 cats, a dog and 2 budgies. This has grown by 2 more dogs and 2 horses - perhaps I should have been a zoo keeper! I enjoy walking on the beach, reading and gardening.

I enjoy working here. The dinosaurs are all friendly – and even the staff smile sometimes. I am usually involved in the non-technical projects of the museum - Sandown's annual carnival, Santa's grotto etc. I also update the shop pages of the web site.

As part of my job involves ordering shop stock, I can indulge in retail therapy while at work.

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Claire Dyson - Administrative Officer

Hi my name is Claire. I have only been with Dinosaur Isle for a short while but I am really enjoying working here.

My job is to keep the office running, booking in schools and groups, raising orders and invoices and answering the phone.

I have the most fantastic view out of my window (better than anyone else's!) and it is fascinating to see the amount of wildlife which visits the pond.

I have lived on the Island for 12 years, and have two daughters.

In between work and children I am studying for a diploma in Child Psychology.

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June Whitlock - Full-time Retail Assistant

Hi, I'm June; I have been working here since November 2006. I'm probably the first person you will see on your arrival. I enjoy working in the reception/ gift shop and meeting different people. Since working here I have learnt a lot more about dinosaurs, fossils and geology in general. Before moving to the Island I helped at a local playgroup, which I enjoyed. After I moved here I helped as a parent helper at the local primary school.

I'm married, with two children - one child has flown the nest - the younger is at High School. Originally from Essex we decided to move to the Island in 1999 and haven't looked back since.

At home we have our own dinosaur, Tommy the tortoise, who has been in the family for 43 years, and also a beagle/ jack russell dog who who only talks to me when its feeding time. I am the gardener at home and also like reading and walking. In closing I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Julie Harris - Part-time Retail Assistant

Hi!  I'm Julie and I have been working in the shop/reception at Dinosaur Isle since January 2007. I mainly work Saturdays and the odd Sunday. I really enjoy working here, all the staff are great and of course the customers are too!

I have lived on the Island for rather a long time but was bought up by Gatwick airport so seemed to have swapped the roar of engines for the roar of dinosaurs! My husband is from Liverpool which I guess makes me a scousewife? I have three daughters (all at school in Sandown) and one stepson. We have a Jack Russell too, which (if you ask the girls' opinion) is the most important member of the household.

At my youngest's school I am involved in a family learning group called SHARE. We recently covered the topic 'Dinosaurs' so I was able to get plenty of inspiration from working here. We learnt a little about fossils, tried our hand at drawing, then we were set the task of making a dinosaur related model. My daughter and I eventually produced a dinosaur poetry box. Some of the other parent's models were amazing.

On Friday mornings I run a toddler group in Sandown which is great fun. We always have something in the pipeline whether its a party (any excuse), outing, charity fundraising, or joining in the local carnival. Perhaps we should have a dinosaur themed morning?

I also like reading, dog walking and surfing the net. Recently I have found myself unable to stroll along the beach without scouring it. You never know what you might find!

Jonathan Fulcher - Part-time Retail Assistant

Hello, I'm Jon, and as a retail assistant I'm often one of the first faces to greet you once you come through the doors. I try to multi-task, selling entrance tickets and gifts as well as dispensing useful (I hope) information - sometimes while answering the phone and possibly standing on one leg at the same time, but please don't put me to the test!

When I'm not at Dinosaur Isle my other job also involves working within the tourist industry on the Island as a night manager at a local hotel. But my passion is for nature, particularly birds, whether volunteering for the RSPB or just out and about enjoying the beautiful natural surroundings.

Charlotte Brading - Part-time Retail Assistant

Hi, my name is Charlotte.

I joined Dinosaur Isle in October 2005 as a part-time retail assistant, and am really enjoying working here.

I am an Islander currently studying Nursing at Southampton University after completing A-level exams in Psychology, Biology and Food Technology at Sandown High School. I like learning new skills at Dinosaur Isle and meeting new people. In my spare time I love walking my Golden retriever, dancing and hanging out with my friends.

My knowledge of dinosaurs is increasing and I am enjoying finding out all about them.

Amber Wilkins - Part-time Retail Assistant

Hello, my name is Amber. I've been working at dino isle since 2006 as a part time retail assistant. Whilst working here I have completed my A-levels at Sandown High School which include Art and Design, Photography and BTEC Dance. I am currently studying Interior Design (Decoration) at Southampton Solent University, and therefore come back some weekends and holidays to work.

In my spare time I enjoy swimming, dancing and spending time with my friends. 

Lora Apps - Volunteer

Hi, my name is Lora, I have had an interest in dinosaurs ever since I can remember, but being originally based in London most of my knowledge about them came from museum exhibitions and books. Moving to the Island in 1987 changed all that, walking on rocks of Cretaceous age and finding my own fossils. Finding my first small piece of dinosaur bone in a gully at Compton Bay was like striking gold.

I became a laboratory volunteer in 1997 when the museum was located above Sandown Public Library. I am now the longest serving volunteer at Dinosaur Isle. On my first day I was shown what I thought was the most perfect little dinosaur skeleton ever; in need of a little TLC and repair, a job I was very proud to do, I was even prouder when the little Hypsilophodon was put on display at Dinosaur Isle.

The best thing about Dinosaur Isle for me is the lab which is much more spacious than the old one, though we haven’t wasted time filling almost every available work space with new projects to work on. Whether it be cleaning and repairing new finds, making a full size replica of a T. rex skull or talking to people about the work we do, we are hopefully taking away some of the mystery of what goes on in museum laboratories behind the scenes.

Brian Lewis - former volunteer

Following retirement to the Isle of Wight from commercial life in London, my lifelong interest in fossils was now to take on a practical situation among the storehouse of the Island.

Time to read and study my finds bought me into contact with the experts at the Geology Museum and eventually to become a volunteer at Dinosaur Isle.

My work in the laboratory involves general 'dogsbody'; involvement in sorting of fossils; and preparatory work. However the highlight of my days working is talking to the visitors; this aspect covers children and adults, novice and knowledgeable. Their enthusiasm and attention to the samples on show and the conversation is reward in itself.

I am enjoying retirement with my wife, and have a deep love of palaeontology, however, chess, bowling and art also fills my spare time.

Tracy Moore - Volunteer

Awaiting text.

 This picture was taken shortly after the museum opened in 2001. It shows the original team.

Back row from left-to-right Dan Pemberton, Martin Munt, Trevor Price, Laura Smith and Steve Hutt. Front row from left-to-right Laura Sales, Sue Wilkins, Peter Pusey, Anne Yvonne-Baker and Lorna Steel.