OUR TRUSTEES
LOIS HARBINSON - CHAIR
When I moved to Street in 1968 I was delighted to discover that there was a theatre here – Strode Theatre.
I trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London and spent most of my working life teaching drama. Strode Theatre offered me wonderful opportunities to hone my skills as an actor and director when I joined the then Strode Productions, an amateur company formed when the theatre was first opened in 1963. I made my debut as Princess Lotus Blossom in the 1970 Christmas production of Aladdin, directed by the first Theatre Manager, the great John Lowe. My association with the theatre has continued ever since; on stage, as a very appreciative patron of its diverse programme and in my retirement as a volunteer usher and Trustee of the Friends of Strode Theatre.
Strode Theatre has been a very important part of my life for over 50 years and I shall continue to advocate its interests as long as I can.
CHRIS FORD - TREASURER
As a local, having lived in Street all my life, I can clearly recall the Strode / Crispin complex being built, with the Theatre being completed in 1963.
Over the past 60 years I will have visited the Theatre on numerous occasions. In particular, I have been involved as a member of Glastonbury & Street Lions Club, who in collaboration with Somerset Music have produced Musical Spectaculars in June each year (with just a break due to Covid) since 1988. Next June will be our 34th year! These Spectaculars have given the opportunity for very many local children over the years to experience the wonderful facility that Strode Theatre offers.
My wife Lynne and myself have enjoyed very many productions by local groups over the years and have been delighted with the amazing talent we have seen. We feel very proud when we watch our granddaughters and their friends enjoying performing on the Strode Theatre stage.
Lynne and myself became ushers in 2014 and then in October 2016 Liz Leyshon invited me to become a Trustee of The Friends of Strode Theatre, hoping that I would take over the role of Treasurer due to my background in finance. I was happy to accept and have remained as Treasurer since.
I continue to support the Theatre, appreciating the importance to the community of maintaining this facility for the future benefit of everyone.
CHARMIAN ADAMS
I was trained as an architect but went straight from college in Brighton to the Design Department at the BBC TV Centre at White City. I worked on a variety of programmes until my first son was born. I continued working freelance for the BBC as a model maker and then a researcher. This had to stop when I moved to a remote part of East Anglia. Eventually I moved to Somerset in 1978 …where I have been ever since. I started work again when my older son could drive and pick up his younger brother from School. I then went back to the BBC Design Department in Bristol as a freelancer. My first programme to be involved with was 'Edge of Darkness’. From then on I was employed on either TV programmes or feature films mostly as a Supervising Art Director. This continued until I was forced to stop in 2022 because of a health issue.
My most recent credits include Downton Abbey; A Street Cat Named Bob; My Cousin Rachel; McMafia: Les Miserables: SAS Rogue Heroes .
For what it’s worth I have 2 x Emmy Nominations; 2 x Royal Television Society Nominations; 1 x British Film Designers Guild Nomination….but no wins!!
DANIEL SHAW
One of my first performances with a band was on Strode theatre's stage at the age of fifteen playing to the Crispin students (although I was at Huish Episcopi). I went on to study 3 A Levels and a BTEC Diploma in Music (at the same time!) at Strode, enjoying performing regularly in our wonderful theatre. Studying a Joint Degree in Cultural policy and Music Composition at Coventry Centre for the Performing Arts, I included a show in the 'Studio theatre' at Strode for my final third year project, which 'sold out! I then worked as an instrument builder/repairer, guitar teacher and touring musician - including supporting Martin Joseph at Cheltenham Town Hall.
Appointed as the first Musician in Residence at the new Tacchi Morris Arts Centre I had the opportunity to write and tour twice to the Portugal Fitij festival with the Taunton Youth Theatre. I also wrote music for film and dance as well as having the opportunity to work with Simon Armitage on the world premiere live show of his millennium poem.
Training in the GT Programme, I did a stint at Chilton Trinity school as Head of Music and Expressive Arts. Returning to Strode to run the level three music programme, we have built up Strodelive in partnership with our wonderful theatre and all the professional experience that it provides to our students. I have enjoyed playing in the pit (wonderful how we enlarged it!) for many of our brilliant amateur and college productions. It is my local theatre and cultural hub and we treasure it as a family; being honoured to be associated with it.
PAUL TOWNSEND - VICE CHAIR
ANDY BOND
JEAN HOWARD
After teaching in secondary schools & FE in London for 31 years, I came to Somerset in 2002 as 14 -16 Manager at Strode College and soon became a regular patron of Strode Theatre. I was asked to join the volunteer usher team and am still there, front of house, to welcome our audiences. After I retired, I joined the theatre team as a duty manager retiring in January 2023. Support for all aspects of the creative arts is so valuable to who we are as humans; the connectivity of art, drama & music enables us all to make sense of the complexity of our lives & others.
I started work as a programme seller at the Swan Theatre in Worcester & was a member of the Junior Theatre Club with productions of The Dutchess of Malfi & The Silver Tassie; I was a follow spotter for Oklahoma! and worked on the lighting desk too. I was on set for a film as a stand in & extra. As a teacher, I was i/c of the lighting for a school production of the Wizard of Oz. In later years my passion was film.
As a Trustee of the Friends of Strode Theatre I hope to help support a successful & viable future for the upcoming generations.
We are currently looking to recruit to the board of Trustees. If you would like more information on the Trustee role please get in touch.
Our small Board of Trustees oversees the strategic direction and the financial management of the Friends of Strode donations. We are looking to further strengthen the sustainability of the charity and the Theatre, creating new revenue streams and developing existing ones, strongly focused on the expansion of our membership. The Board offers strategic guidance, creative ideas and support.
ADMINISTRATOR
The administrator manages the Friends of Strode Theatre fundraising and leads on campaigns and initiative to increase membership, as well as the day-to-day financial and administrative coordination of the programme.
DAISY BAKER