Mary-Ann Ochota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary-Ann Ochota
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Ochota in 2012
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| Born | 8 May 1981 Wincham, England, UK
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| Education | Sir John Deane's College, Northwich, Cheshire |
| Alma mater | Emmanuel College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | TV presenter, writer and anthropologist |
| Years active | 2007–present |
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Notable work
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TV Presenter: Time Team; Mystic Britain. Author: Hidden Histories: A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape (2016), Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past (2020) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
Mary-Ann Ochota (born 8 May 1981) is a British TV presenter, writer, and adventurer. She specializes in anthropology (the study of human societies) and archaeology (the study of human history through objects). She loves exploring social history and going on exciting journeys for her shows.
She is also a Fellow of the famous Royal Geographical Society, an organization for people who are experts in geography and exploration.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mary-Ann Ochota grew up in Wincham, a village in Cheshire, England. Her mother is from India and her father is from Poland. For her advanced studies, she went to Sir John Deane's College.
From 1999 to 2002, she studied Archaeology and Anthropology at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, one of the world's most famous universities. In 2013, she even returned to represent her college on the TV quiz show University Challenge, where her team made it to the final.
In 2008, she married Joe Craig, who writes books for children.
Career as a TV Presenter
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Mary-Ann has presented many fascinating television shows, sharing stories about history, archaeology, and adventure with viewers.
Exploring Britain's Past
Mary-Ann has worked on several shows that uncover the secrets of British history.
- Britain's Secret Treasures: She helped explain the stories behind amazing historical objects found by the public. These included ancient mirrors, Roman statues, and items from a sunken ship.
- Britain's Secret Homes: She explored ancient places where people lived, from the caves of Creswell Crags to the stone towers of Shetland.
- Time Team: In 2012, she joined the famous archaeology show Time Team as a co-presenter, helping to dig up and understand historical sites.
- Mystic Britain: Alongside host Clive Anderson, she investigated mysterious places and legends across Britain. The show was praised for being both smart and funny.
- Britain Afloat: In this BBC series, she traveled Britain's canals and rivers to see how boats have shaped the country's history and culture.
World Documentaries and Adventures
Mary-Ann has also traveled the world to report on incredible stories.
- Unreported World: For this Channel 4 series, she made films about slum children in India who became reporters and about child kickboxers in Thailand.
- Raised Wild: For Animal Planet, she investigated amazing stories of "feral children"—children who grew up in the wild, sometimes with animals. She traveled to Uganda, Ukraine, and Fiji for the series.
Writing and Other Work
Mary-Ann is a talented writer and often shares her knowledge and experiences in books and articles.
Books About British History
Mary-Ann has written several books that help people discover the history hidden in the landscape around them.
- Britain's Secret Treasures (2013): This book was connected to the ITV show of the same name.
- Hidden Histories: A Spotter's Guide to the British Landscape (2016): This book teaches you how to find clues to the past just by looking at the world around you.
- Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past (2020): This book dives into more of Britain's strange and wonderful history.
Outdoor Adventures and Writing
A passionate adventurer, Mary-Ann writes for newspapers like The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph about the countryside and outdoor activities. She loves wild camping, orienteering, and even scuba diving in the UK.
In 2012, she sailed across the Pacific Ocean as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. She was a full crew member on the journey from China to the USA. In 2015, she joined an expedition in Australia's Simpson Desert to search for evidence of how ancient people lived there.
Charity and Advocacy Work
Mary-Ann uses her platform to support causes she cares about, especially those related to the outdoors and the environment.
Protecting the Countryside
From 2016 to 2024, she was the Hill Walking Ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council, encouraging more people to enjoy walking in the hills. In July 2024, she was elected President of CPRE, The Countryside Charity, which works to protect and promote the English countryside.
She is also a patron of the Ridgeway National Trail, an ancient path that runs through southern England.
Helping Others
Mary-Ann is a patron of The Tony Trust, a charity that helps young people pay for outdoor activity courses. She also supported the charity appeal Toilet Twinning, which helps provide clean and safe toilets for communities in need. She traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to see the charity's work firsthand.
