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.
FOBs celebrated
their 40th anniversary in 2021 and were presented with a Barn Lifetime
Achievement award by the Trustees in recognition of their 40 year's
dedicated service to the theatre.
Membership
The organisation currently has over 200 members and the annual subscription
is just £10 per person.
To become a Friend of the Barn or to find out more about them, contact
the Chairman, Paul Robinosn (fobs.chairman@barntheatreoxted.co.uk)
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 heard at our Annual General
Meeting
FOH Services
FOBs provides front-of-house services for all productions and events
at the theatre, including those for our resident societies. Each hirer
provides basic cover for car parking and ushering duties but FOBs provide
all the other necessary roles which include a Front of House Manager,
Box Office Assistant, Programme Sellers, Sweets and Ice Cream Sellers
and Bar and Bar Support Staff.
The Front-of-House duties are outlined here.
Name
|
Responsibility
|
Phone
Number
|
E-mail
Address
|
Chairman
|
Paul
Robinson |
07970
847515 |
fobs.chairman@barntheatreoxted.co.uk |
Secretary |
Teresa
Chinnock |
07843
440274 |
|
Treasurer |
Helen
Clarke |
07736
230068 |
|
Membership
Secretary |
Chris
Muscio |
07877
334508 |
|