The
Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel:
01959 561811
Email: barntheatre
@btinternet.com
Friends
of the Barn
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Friends of the Barn (FOBs)
History
In 1981, a concerned supporter of the theatre John Sturgeon, launched a "Buy a Tile for £2" campaign to fundraise for repairs to the roof. Having rapidly raised £500, John at the suggestion of Bruce Reed was joined by Terry Rolph to form an association whose aim was to "provide financial and other support to the maintenance, improvement and betterment of The Barn Theatre at Oxted as a site and base primarily for theatrical, operatic, cultural and artistic activities but also for such purposes as may be beneficial to the people of Oxted and District". A Committee was formed and an annual membership of £1 brought forth 200 members.Thus began a vast variety of fundraising which continues to this day. Between 1983 and 1991 over £16,000 went towards funding roofing, insulation, re-wiring, up-dating stage lighting and raking the auditorium. In 1991 the FOBS undertook the re-seating of the theatre, financed by the sponsorship of each seat marked with a named brass plaque.
In 1997 the theatre achieved charitable status and thus began a progressive increase in hirers and income, enabling more self-financing. At this time the FOBS role developed as they began to staff more of the front-of-house services for the theatre.
In 2005 FOBS bestowed "Honorary Membership" on His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent at the official opening of the Barn 2000 extension and in 2006 the organisation celebrated 25 years of service to the theatre. During this time they raised and donated in excess of £75,000.
A "SUNDAY CLUB" was started in 2006 and opens the bar from 12.00-2.00pm on the first Sunday of every month. This has proved a delightful additional social facet to the role of the FOBS.
Membership
As at January 2009 the organisation has 326members. The subscription is £10 for 3 years or £4 per annum, per person.
To become a Friend of the Barn or to find out more about them, contact the membership secretary Jean Groves ( 01883 712130) or collect an application form directly from the theatre where they are prominently displayed.The benefits of membership include:
- regular mailing of the quarterly "WHATS ON" brochure and the "BARN THEATRE NEWS"
- using the bar at the monthly Sunday Club openings
- invitations to special events
- making new friends
- having your views heardFOH Services
The theatre hosts two resident societies who organise their own Front-of-House services but the FOBS service all other productions/events. The hirers provide basic cover for such things as programmes, car park and box office but the FOBS manage the bar, coffee, sweets and ice creams as well as other general Front-of-House duties.
The Front -of-House duties are outlined here.
President Terry Rolph 01883 712725 Chairman Sheila Bennett 01883 715145 smbennett@waitrose.com Vice Chairman Simon Dawes 01959 564068 Simeron53@hotmail.com Secretary Bridgett Carey 01883 714547 careyoxted@btinternet.com Treasurer Don Mear 01883 715532 mearatlongacre@aol.com Membership Secretary Jean Groves 01883 712130 jean.groves@yahoo.co.uk Staff Coordinator Pippa Bridges 01883 712459 Judith.bridges@btinternet.com Bar Coordinator Sharon Dawes 01959 564068 Simeron53@hotmail.com Sweet Shop Coordinator Janet Magnay 01883 713507 Jeff.magnay@ntlworld.com
