Speaker.

James Lynch, the owner of fforest (The Do Lectures’ venue), moved to Wales just over four years ago when he acquired a 200-acre farm on the floodplain of Wales's longest river, the Teifi. Full of potential and with an abundance of wildlife on the doorstep, James has turned the site into an area for 'active relaxation', whilst keeping it as untouched as possible. 

Originally from Motherwell in Scotland, James began his adult life studying art at St Martins School of Art. It was during this time that he took his first trip abroad to Japan, working for a year in Osaka. 

After graduating in 1980, he started a graphics, exhibition and retail design company called Lynch Associates. This led him to buy a warehouse in Shoreditch, in which he lived with his partner Sian Tucker. In the 3000 square foot basement, aka ‘the tinderbox’, he held workshops, exhibitions and notorious raves. 

During this time, James enjoyed developing numerous buildings in and around East London for the creative community, providing workshops, studios and live work spaces. Notable tenants included Dazed and Confused, Mother and David and Claire Hieatt.

By 2005, after having 4 children, James found himself creating trophy loft apartments for city folk and lawyers, only to decide that this was not the right path. He instead chose to visit relatives in New Zealand with a view to moving there with his family. 

In doing this, James decided that what he was searching for already existed in West Wales, where he took the family every summer and had watched his children grow up. In the same year, he bought Fforest farm and began to plan. He then moved to Wales to make his idea happen.

Fforest opened in 2008 and is unlike any other campsite. With emphasis on low environmental impact and outdoor activity, fforest is nestled into the landscape and offers full appreciation of the natural environment.