Meet the Team - Part I
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Welcome to our "Meet the Team" series!
Behind the scenes at The Armstrong, a dedicated team is working hard to ensure our venue remains a vibrant, thriving hub for the Thornbury community. Today, we’re sitting down with three of our Thornbury Community & Arts (TCA) Trustees; Jill, Dave, and Chris, to learn about their roles, why this project means so much to them, and a few surprising facts you might not know about them!
What is your focus at The Armstrong?
As a founding member of The Armstrong project, I am interested in all aspects of the venue redevelopment and operation. My main focus, however, is on the engagement and support of the big volunteer workforce needed for the success of the project.
What does The Armstrong mean to you?
I got involved because I listened and learned from many local people about the value of the venue to the town. Everything I learned subsequently reinforced the wisdom and achievability of what we sought to do.
Fun Fact:
My grandfather was William Heath Robinson, who was an artist well known in the mid-twentieth century for drawing elaborate gadgets to do simple tasks!
What is your focus at The Armstrong?
Alongside my role as a Trustee, my primary focus is our Digital, IT, and tech infrastructure. It’s a massive remit! It ranges from till configuration, CCTV, access control, and Wi-Fi, right through to lighting, sound, projection systems, and maintaining our website and online ticketing platforms.
What does The Armstrong mean to you?
I’ve been using the complex for 27 years and am passionate about keeping it a central asset for our community. After campaigning heavily for it to reopen following the COVID-19 closures, joining the team felt like a natural next step.
Fun Fact:
I’ve performed on stage in over 50 productions right here in the complex!
What is your focus at The Armstrong?
My focus is two-fold. Firstly, it's the core aim of providing a community facility for residents. There is no doubt the re-opening has been well received, brilliantly supported, and worth all the good effort from all those wonderful people who have contributed over recent years. We do, though, need to make sure we have a sustainable future in terms of affordability.
My second focus is the business side, making sure we have good information from which to make the right decisions that will be necessary to ensure The Armstrong thrives.
What does The Armstrong mean to you?
I can’t sing, and I "dad-dance" badly, so it wasn’t for my performance skills! 15 years ago I was asked to use my construction project management skills to support a redevelopment of The Armstrong Hall. It has been a joy and very rewarding to see a glimmer in people's eyes come to fruition. To me, The Armstrong is a vehicle for the next generations to develop and enjoy being part of the community.
Fun Fact:
I pulled an anaconda from a swamp in Venezuela and, on the very same day, fished for red-bellied piranha, which we then ate for our supper!
Stay tuned for more team updates as we continue working to make The Armstrong the best it can be for Thornbury. Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters who make this journey possible!
If you would like to be involved in the project, you can register your interest here.
