Staff

Maria Iredale (seen here in birthday mode) is our brilliant Chief Executive. She is responsible to the trustees for the strategic development and artistic direction of the centre.

Linda Carson is our wonderfully efficient Operations Manager, responsible for  all   operational aspects of the Centre and the first port of call for people wishing to stage exhibitions, put on performances or hire our facilities.

Samantha Alexander -- "Sam" --  is our terrific part-time Administration Assistant, standing in for Linda on Fridays and occasionally on other days to run the office, take bookings, organise events, etc. 

Selina Yip is a part-time back office administrator and also runs some of our children's art clubs.

Pat Walker was project co-ordinator for our film about teenage life You've Never Had It So Good and the film's narrator. She was the project co-ordinator for our 2010 and 2009 summer festivals, a role she is repeating in 2011. 

Trustees

David Walker has been chairman of the Board of Trustees since the Arts Centre was reconstituted in 2008. He is a former senior editor at the Financial Times, a governor of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, and was for many years chairman of  David's Bookshops in Letchworth. David is keen to know what we're doing right, what we are doing wrong and what else you would like to see.

Ann Crook,a trustee of the Arts Centre in its previous incarnation for seven years, has a special interest in education and drama. She is a trustee of Royal Mencap, the Artability Project for people with learning disabilities.  Ann sees the Centre as an important community resource for people of all ages. You will often see her manning the reception desk or serving at the bar on performance nights.

Mike Hann has been associated with the Letchworth Arts Centre since it was first set up by James Willis and Rosemary Bianchi as  'The Place'. Over the years he has contributed as a volunteer, handyman, trustee, company secretary and chairman of the trustees. He is also an accomplished artist.

Arthur Jarman was for many years Head of Communications and Membership of the National Union of Teachers, and is a former Letchworth councillor. He frequently mans the Centre when there are evening events.

Michael Paterson is the North Herts District Council nominated member of the trustee board and a hard-working volunteer at the Centre.  

Denise Poynter is  the proprietor of Tuscany Fine Art in Letchworth and of Daisy's Cafe. She is a governor of Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and on the Letchworth Town Centre Partnership.

Kat Shepherdson has long been a highly valued volunteer at the Arts Centre. She runs children's workshops, has organised family  workshops, has been heavily involved  in our schools  programme, and played a big part in our VE Day Celebration in summer 2010. She joined  the trustee board in July 2010.  

Martin Oliver is regional manager for Guideposts Trust, a charity that provide services for older people, people with dementia, people with or recovering from mental health problems, people with learning disabilities, carers and children with special needs. Guideposts Trust operates the cafe at the Arts Centre.

Kevin Lake joined the trustee board in autumn 2009. He is a highly successful businessman from Letchworth, whose family knew Ebenezer Howard and were here before the founding of the Garden City.

Volunteers

Jean Andrews was a mainstay in keeping the Centre open through its hard times before reorganisation and refurbishment. Previously one of our longest-serving trustees, she plays a big role in monitoring cash flows and other behind-the-scenes activities, often runs the bar on performance nights, and is the brains behind our monthly jazz evenings.  

Tony Maynard-Smith is our hon Treasurer, IT wizard, and creator of this website.

John Humby has been a mainstay of the Arts Centre since its early days as The Place. Great at creating posters for events and exhibitions, he also played a key role in organising industry groups for 2009's Summer Festival.

Lisa Harrold works on administration and with children's art clubs.

Jeremy Hedley looks after much of our maintenance and does a variety of jobs, especially those requiring a bit of muscle.

Ian Cooper handles a variety of key jobs, including deliveries.

Kimi Taylor is a stalwart of our children's art clubs.

And then there all our other friendly volunteers, who help with the everyday running of the Centre and without whom we could not function.