The Roses Review Winter 2018-19

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The Roses Review Winter 2018

Welcome...

Hello and welcome to your Winter newsletter.

It hardly seems possible that I’ve already been at The Roses and living in Tewkesbury for three months. It’s been an enormously enjoyable time as I’ve got to know staff, volunteers, customers and locals alike.

By the time you receive this you will already have been invited to the next Chairman’s Circle, on Monday 3 December at 6pm, and I hope you’ll be able to to come along to hear about my plans for the future and let me answer any of your questions. I look forward to meeting you if I haven’t already done so.

Hannah Kester Director

Booking Dates Booking dates for this brochure are as follows:

Tewkesbury 2021 Since joining The Roses, Hannah has become intrinsically involved in Tewkesbury’s 2021 project.

The year 2021 will be big for both Tewkesbury Abbey and for Tewkesbury itself. It will be 900 years since the consecration of Tewkesbury Abbey in 1121 and 550 years since the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

The alignment of these dates will offer Tewkesbury a rare opportunity to inspire all organisations associated with Tewkesbury to plan their own projects and work together towards making 2021 a celebration of the town’s civic, cultural, musical, dramatic and artistic heritage.

The Roses intends to form a bridge with the Abbey and link the whole town together in celebration. We will keep you updated as this exciting project develops.

Patrons: Monday 12 November Friends & Seat Donors: Thursday 15 November General Public: Monday 19 November There are plenty of events within this brochure that are brand new to sale. Highlights include: • All films from January onwards (pages 29 - 35) • Do You Think That’s Wise? The Life & Times Of John Le Mesurier (page 15) • Dancing Queen (page 20) • Events further ahead in 2019 (pages 21 - 23)

Backstage Pass

Ian Bitchenor

Ian is one of The Roses’ longest serving (and, it must be said, popular) employees and will be known to most of you... but what makes him tick when he’s not here? Find out...

Ian, what’s your role at The Roses?

I’m Operations Assistant Manager - which basically means you could find me doing anything!

This morning, for example, I have been defrosting a freezer, serving coffee and childminding a 4 year old. This is all perfectly normal!

What is your favourite part of the job?

All of it, because no two days are ever the same. Also, and I know everyone says this, but the people really do make it enjoyable to come to work.

And your least favourite?

There isn’t anything really, it’s all good fun!

Where would you like to see The Roses in 5 years?

Still running, successful, and still being seen as a valuable part of the community.

How would you improve The Roses if money was no object?

I’d somehow make it a lot bigger

so that we could get bigger touring shows in. I’m not sure how money could create space that simply isn’t there, but that’s what I’d try and do!

How do you switch off from work?

I like to play and watch sport. I play golf and tennis and have just taken up archery. I also do a lot of voluntary work, mainly for Cancer Research UK. I am Volunteer Manager for Race For Life in the Midlands. You’ll also see me wandering around Pittville Park dressed as Santa Claus for the cause this December.

Finally, what are you most looking forward to in 2019?

Doing more travelling. My wife and I both have very hectic jobs and therefore value our holidays. This year we were lucky enough to spend a month in Australia. Next year we’re off to New York and India.

K2Togs Poppies If you’ve visited The Roses in the last month, you won’t have been able to miss the stunning knitted poppy display in the foyer.

The poppies were made by The Roses’ resident knitting group, K2Togs, to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

We’ll keep the poppies up until the end of November, upon which time they will be taken down and safely stored away.

It’s very likely that they will be used again in the future by organisations such as Tewkesbury’s Royal British Legion, who hold annual fundraising concerts for the Poppy Appeal at The Roses.

Staff Picks

Hayley Trust

Julie Hill

Finance “I’ve picked The King And I, as it brings back fond memories of Mum and I watching the original on TV together.”

Fran Rooke

Box Office “I’m looking forward to Wayne Ellington Sings Nat King Cole. Why? Because his music is just outstanding!”

Administration “It’s got to be Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. With the original star studded cast returning as well other big names such as Jude Law, I feel that this sequel will be just as good as the first. ”