Name: Stella Gurney
Occupation: Owner, Woodfire Camping.
Please can you share a whistle-stop tour of your career?
Children’s publishing for 15 years as an editor and writer and then a sudden need to get out of an office and into a field!
Describe your job in three words:
Heart-warming, connecting, knackering.
What has been your philosophy that has seen the successful development of your career?
To communicate our genuine welcome to campers during their stay (rather than just being professional). I love connecting with people; seeing them drop their guard and the stress of their week/ journey and laugh and relax. It creates a sense of fellow-feeling on the campsite so that every weekend feels like a friendly pop-up village.
Favourite aspect of the job?
Being in nature and seeing friends and families enjoying themselves – you see lots of unguarded, loving moments between people and it’s very life-affirming.
What excites you most about your role?
Living outside and feeling like I have control over my carbon footprint in a way I don’t have in a conventional house, and making it easy for others to do the same.
The toughest aspect of your job?
The hours and the toll that takes on my family.
What are you most proud of?
How much people love camping at Woodfire! And how so many of them say their kids loved food they wouldn’t normally eat.
Do you have a go to or failsafe plate of comfort food?
Macaroni cheese with grilled tomatoes and bacon, with a green, well-dressed salad. Mmmmmm.