Our people

The Witham is a community arts centre run by a small team of paid staff, supported by about 40 volunteers and a Board of Trustees who work without remuneration.

Find out more about who we are, what we do, and how you could be involved…

Staff

Our venue team comprises:
Amy Hughes – Centre Director
Jessica Sowersby – Café Bar Supervisor & Duty Manager
Jane Woodward – Marketing Officer & Duty Manager

Part time staff:
Stacey Beckley – Cafe Staff; Peter Normanton – Building & Maintenance Officer & Duty Manager; Josh Normanton – Building & TEC Support

Zero-hours contractors in our team:
Shanie Cole, Tabi Anstey, Ella Wallace, Rachel Markham, Ben Turner and Rachel Frost.

Regular freelance contractors:
Stuart Laundy – Podcast & Social Media
Peter Dixon – Programming Officer
Julian Haynes – Finance

Youth Theatre freelancers:
Christina Castling – Youth Theatre Leader or Ollie Smith – Maternity Cover 2024
Laura Shaw – Turrets Youth Theatre Assistant

Trustees

The Witham Hall Limited is governed by a board of trustees all of whom are registered at 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY. Roles include:

Shelagh Avery: Chair.

Nicky Grace: Finance, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Sub-group.

Peter Hodges: Oversight of the heritage building and Chair of the Building Operation Sub-group.

Hazel Spencer: Chair of the HR Subgroup, Turrets Youth Theatre.

Gordon Duffy-McGhie: Without Portfolio

Jo Turnbull: Without Portfolio

Ian Smith: Without Portfolio

Stephen Robson: DCC observer

Volunteers

The Witham community arts centre is enhanced by over 40 volunteers in a wide variety of roles such as stewards for events, box office and shop (including visitor information), general maintenance and gardening work, café bar support, office assistance – even an amateur photographer.

In addition to drawing on existing skills, we provide training and support where necessary. We communicate regularly with our volunteers – including face-to-face, through a regular monthly meeting and emails. We are very grateful to each and every one of them for their invaluable contribution. The Witham would not be able to operate without their support.

We are currently looking for volunteers in the following areas: Box Office and Visitor Information Assistants, Stewards and Café Bar support.

Become a volunteer