Andrew Hubert von Staufer
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Andrew Hubert von Staufer | |
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| Born | Andrew Hubert von Staufer (1947-12-12) 12 December 1947 |
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| Parents | Kazimierz Tomaz (Father) Angela (Mother) |
Andrew Hubert von Staufer (born 1947) is a British author, broadcaster, inventor, and environmental consultant based in Monmouth, Wales. He is known for his work on cultural history—especially Christmas traditions—environmental sustainability, and adaptive winter sports innovation.
Early life and family
Von Staufer was born in 1947 to a Polish father and an English mother. His father, Tomaz von Staufer, was a Polish Spitfire pilot who escaped the Vorkuta Gulag and flew with the Second Tactical Air Force during World War II. His mother, Angela, worked at Bletchley Park and was the daughter of a Reuters war correspondent.
Andrew grew up in and around Brighton, England, after an early childhood spent at a former RAF base in the New Forest. He is the eldest of six children. His family history reflects the complex European experience of displacement during and after the war.
Education and early career
He trained as a meteorologist with the UK Met Office and later worked as an air traffic controller with NATS at Gatwick and Shanwick Oceanic Control. He also contributed as a freelance aviation journalist.
Career
Environmental and design work
Von Staufer worked for over three decades as an environmental consultant and designer, advising on sustainable tourism, rehabilitation projects, and inclusive development across Europe and Canada. He was also a trustee and committee member of several environmental and regional development bodies in Wales.
Christmas archives
In 1977, together with his wife Maria, he co-founded The Christmas Archives, an international resource documenting Christmas history and traditions. The archive grew to over 100,000 items and supported exhibitions, broadcasting, photography, and publishing across Europe and Canada.
The collection was sold in 1991 to a Japanese company, leading to a permanent exhibition in Hokkaido.
Inventor
He is the inventor of Skirider, an adaptive snow sports device designed for both able-bodied and disabled users. The invention received gold, platinum, and silver awards for British design and innovation.
Writing and broadcasting
Von Staufer is a writer, broadcaster, and public speaker. His work has appeared across television, radio, and print media internationally.
Publications
As of 2024, he has published five books, including:
- Gulag to Spitfire
- Jane Austen’s Christmas
- The Brontë Christmas
- Shakespeare’s Christmas
- Wartime Christmas
He continues to research and write on cultural history and European heritage.
Personal life
Andrew married Maria, whom he met while working as a ski instructor. They had three children: Emma, Marijan and Kazik. Maria died in 2007 after a long illness.
He has eight grandchildren and lives in Monmouth, Wales.
He speaks several European languages and identifies strongly as European by heritage. He remains active as a skier, sailor, angler, cook, and writer.
Legacy and interests
Von Staufer's work bridges cultural history, environmental sustainability, and inclusive design. He is also credited with helping establish a veterans’ charity in South Wales and continues to encourage the preservation of cultural traditions through food, storytelling, and shared memory.
References
- ^"The Christmas Archives: Cover". christmasarchives.com. Retrieved 15 December 2025.
