About Us
An introduction to the Fuzzacker guides
All of the guides live locally and have a deep knowledge of, and passion for, the New Forest. They are all 1st-aid trained, carry suitable emergency equipment and are insured. Guides are chosen not just for their knowledge and experience but also for their interpersonal skills as, whilst we are keen to inform and educate people, we also want to entertain and make our walks and talks enjoyable occasions. Being local we have good availability and can be flexible in what we do. In addition to guided walks we also are experienced in providing commentaries for coach tours and giving illustrated talks on all aspects of the Forest. We support Green tourism, limiting car use where possible, and encourage patronage of local shops, pubs, cafes and other businesses.
Steve Adams was born and grew up in Lymington on the edge of the New Forest. After attending Brockenhurst Grammar School followed by University, he returned to the area to live and work.
Steve has always had an interest in and love of the Forest and, following early retirement in 2003, he became a Seasonal Ranger with the Forestry Commission. He still participates as a Volunteer Ranger on conservation and other related tasks .
An experienced walker and guide, Steve has taken in excess of 3000 people on walks, mainly in the New Forest but also on the Jurassic Coast, the I.O.W., and Dartmoor and has a considerable knowledge of different routes in those places. As the founder of Fuzzacker Guided Walks, Steve is committed to providing an excellent, safe service and ensuring that tourism in the area maintains a good reputation.
He frequently works with Richard Daponte especially on hotel weekends. Richard lives and works within the National Park and has a considerable knowledge of natural history and related subjects. Together they provide talks and walks as well as some light-hearted diversions such as the infamous quiz!
They also provide talk and walk weekends for Friendship Holidays, a company that specialises in breaks for single people - see http://www.friendshiptravel.com/uk-events-dances.html
In addition to acting freelance under the banner of Fuzzacker Walks, Steve works with other companies as a Walk Guide including Hidden Britain Tours, Diamond Holidays and Friendship Travel. He has also worked as host during hotel weekends and on other occasions provided commentary on coach tours.
Theresa Holden lives locally and has always had a keen interest in natural history and walking. She is a member of a local bird group and Natural History society. Theresa is also a member of Butterfly conservation and, as a volunteer warden for Natural England, has carried out butterfly transects for a number of years. She has also been taken part in various bird surveys. She is an active member of the Two Trees conservation team which is run by the Forestry Commission. In her role as a Fuzzacker guide, she aims to share her enthusiasm and knowledge of the flora and fauna of the New Forest. Theresa completed a BSc with the Open University in 2005 and has a diploma in life science. She is currently working towards a honours degree in natural science.
Sarah Fargher is an excellent guide for Fuzzacker as she combines a deep knowledge and love of the New Forest, particularly specialising in ponies, with the training and excellent interpersonal skills of a Drama teacher. She has over 30 years' experience with New Forest Ponies and a special understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the animals, landscapes and people in the National Park, where she lives. Sarah led her first guided walk in the area at a very young age , and has continued to share her detailed knowledge of the developing history of the Forest's native equines, and her understanding of current commoning practices, with visitors of all ages. Her years as an owner of ponies registered with the breed society, born and bred in The New Forest, enable her to speak with enthusiasm, and from personal experience.
Richard Daponte graduated from Wye College, Kent, with a BSc in countryside management in 1990. He also has A levels in Botany and Zoology. From the age of 10 Richard grew up in the Christchurch area and explored the countryside of Dorset and the New Forest extensively, especially in teenage years. He went on to volunteer with the Dorset Countryside Volunteers, who provided invaluable opportunities for training and to gain experience in all the key practical conservation skills, such as coppicing and hedge laying.
After college he became a volunteer field officer with the Surrey branch of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, hosting conservation weekends and 'Natural Breaks'.In 1992, a position with a parks and countryside service started a 19 year career as a ranger, the first half in Surrey and the remainder in the New Forest, specialising in education and guided walks.Richard is particularly adept at combining history with natural history to bring the landscape to life and to show how man works with nature to shape the countryside the way we see it today.
Fuzzacker Guided Walks is a member of the New Forest Tourism Association and Tourism South East
