The business concept grew from John’s childhood wildlife experiences, nature treks, South Downs hill scrambles, a pet rabbit and a cat. At the time there were few technological distractions, but picturesque fields and woodland aplenty.

Most importantly, John had a friendly and wise neighbour: “the oracle of all things wild”. That neighbour helped forge a passion for the countryside that has stayed with John throughout his life.

These simple but fundamental experiences helped shape The Great Out-tours’ ethos: to share with primary-age children and people with special needs, learning disabilities, dementia and mental-health conditions the power to appreciate, care for, protect and sustain our natural world.

John’s career was always directed towards his dream of launching The Great Out-tours. His roles included teaching at Plumpton College in Sussex, one of the UK’s most highly regarded land-based colleges.

He also helped transform a redundant college-owned farm into a multi-faceted farming and environmental training centre. Across these roles, John designed and delivered hands-on activity programmes for a broad range of learners, from adults with special needs and disabilities to degree students and countryside-course participants.

With a business plan in place and a diverse land-based career behind him, John registered and established The Great Out-tours in 2011, during the depth of a recession.

As Health and Safety Officer at The Great Out-tours, John’s personal mission is to make the organisation an industry leader in best-practice management and delivery.

This focus supports the safe, well-planned and engaging delivery of activities across schools, care settings and other programme locations.

In 2022, John received an unprompted surprise poem titled Farmer John from a talented club pupil and budding laureate. The pupil was later presented with The Great Out-tours’ Outstanding Laureate Award at a special whole-school assembly.

The Head Teacher read the poem to an audience of children, parents and teaching staff, with Farmer John looking on. It remains one of the most moving and memorable moments of his career.

This is Farmer John
His hat is like a well-loved toy,
His jumper is like a lime in the hot sun,
His face is like the sun shining its rays down on us,

This is Farmer John
His smile is like bunting hung on his face,
His jumper is like a flag of hope,
His personality is like millions of children put together,

This is Farmer John
The bees and the birds are his friends,
The newts and the toads adore him,
The owls call out his name,

This is Farmer John, FARMER JOHN
His raspberries adorn the hedge-rows,
His pumpkins grow like ABRACADABRA!
His apples glisten smooth and shiny,

This is Farmer John
He hears the wind whistling by,
He hears the goats bleat,
He ponders on the wonderful sounds of the countryside,

This is Farmer John
He watches the shaping clouds,
He watches the rainy days,
He wonders about the fog,

This is Farmer John
The trees wave at him in the breeze,
The wind whistles with joy in his ear,
The cow-parsley helps rebuild his fire,

This is Farmer John
He sniffs the sweet scented roses with curiosity,
He smells the scent of the lovely countryside,
He walks through meadows of scented wild flowers,

This is Farmer John
His eyelids close,
It's time for bed,
Great Out-tours has ended,
He dreams of more of the great outdoors ahead,
Good night Farmer John the owls said.

By O.K.