(at Sibford from 1997 – 2001). Stuart, who was previously at Beachborough School, played the euphonium and the viola and joined Sibford on a music scholarship.


From music at Sibford to the wilds of Alaska N


ews has reached us of former scholar Stuart Greenfield


His mother Christie Greenfield


tells us: “Stuart enjoyed his boarding and academia at Sibford and tried hard with his lessons, but dyslexia and other issues meant his studies were unpredictable. However the music teachers, his euphonium exams and competitions gave him the much needed success and discipline to persevere.” Christie goes on to say that Stuart was also inspired by head of science Christopher Cox and gained a passion for the environment. Stuart left Sibford when he


was 16 and went to Sparsholt College to study environment and agriculture. Having achieved his HND he was accepted at Aberwystwyth University to do a Bsc Hons Science/Environment Degree. He graduated with a 1st and also started the University Archery Club, which now competes all over England, for which he was awarded university colours. He then went to Lampeter University to study Anthropology for his Master’s degree. He applied to go to Trinity College in Belfast and was accepted to study for his PhD … a


move that was to change his life. Mrs Greenfield said: “When he was accepted by Trinity College I thought ‘oh good … he’ll be working on The Burren (a region of environmental interest in County Clare). How wrong was I! Instead he headed for Alaska!”


Stuart spent two


years in Alaska studying the effects of bear and moose with man within the confines of progress development. He worked with the National Countyside Group and had to be taught self-preservation from hungry bears and rampaging moose … his shooting skills came on in leaps and bounds! It was while in Alaska that he met


local girl Julia, who had a degree in Maritime Deepwater Studies. The couple returned to the UK for two years to give Julia the opportunity to experience the English way of life but in 2013 they went back to Alaska, got married and now have a little girl called Zoe. It was on his first return from


Alaska that Stuart wrote: “I have just got back from Alaska. where I had the great honour of meeting several incredible and exemplary people, one of whom was a lady who was in her eighties, had half of one lung and had just finish building her own chimney and outside decking. This was after a lifetime of travel, raising four kids, setting up the first old- age people home in Alaska and homesteading her own land. She told me that she could do anything she wanted, maybe not as fast as someone else, but she could do it. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever


16 / The Sibford Rocket


heard. My parents once told me to be true to myself and I never once thought what it actually meant. For years I wore the symbol of the oak tree on my school blazer with the words “Trouthe and Honour, Fredom and Curteisie” and I never realised I was living them as best I could the whole time.” Stuart now works for the Alaskan


Government in Land Law and Boundary Torts. He flies out into the wilderness, assesses the topography, draws up written legal documents and interacts with officials and natives/citizens … some not always receptive to the laws to be implemented! Christie adds: “In August this


year we flew over to Stuart and his family. They are expecting another baby in February and he still plays his Euphonium, plays violin for Medieval re-enactment and is an avid fisherman. We met many of his friends who accepted us a part of their own families and enjoyed parties, BBQs and fishing trips. They are very much part of a community with a real family ethos that was a real pleasure to experience. Stuart misses England, its seasons and the general environment. However, he knows that Alaska is the only place he can work.”


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