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Stump Cross Caverns boss passes ownership to son

Stump Cross Caverns owner Lisa Bowerman (left) with son Oliver.

The owner of historic tourist attraction Stump Cross Caverns has announced that she will be passing ownership of the business to her son.

Lisa Bowerman, AKA Cavewoman, has been in charge of the caves nearly Pateley Bridge for 21 years.

She moved with her family - ex-husband Richard and children Jacob, Oliver and Evie - from Northumberland in 2003.

And after 21 years at the helm, Lisa has said that son Oliver will be taking over with “exciting ideas for the future.”

Lisa said:

“We’re in the process of finalising the legalities, but Oliver is already stepping into his new role with enthusiasm and vision. 

“His plans for the future are exciting, including opening up new parts of the caves for visitors to explore. 

“I’m sure his father, Richard, will be looking down on him with pride and guiding him every step of the way."

She added:

“As his mother, I couldn’t be prouder to see him take on this responsibility.

“I’m confident that Stump Cross Caverns is in safe hands for the future, and I’m excited to see where he takes it from here.”

In recent years, Lisa has been running the business alongside husband Nick Markham (pictured).

But despite the incoming changes, she has assured visitors that Cavewoman will not be disappearing from the business.

She said:

“While we’re not retiring just yet, Nick and I are looking forward to spending more time on the road, visiting classrooms, and sharing the story of Stump Cross with even more people. 

“We love inspiring children with the incredible fossils we take in to show them—their faces light up when they get to hold a real dinosaur egg or a Megalodon tooth. 

“Cavewoman will still be here, continuing to educate visitors about the rich limestone history of these caverns.”

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