And finally

Safeguarding staff in heat and sun, as temperatures set to soar through to late September!

Bethan Tomlinson Director Tramshed

Bethan Tomlinson FRSA, is the new Director of Tramshed in Woolwich, having joined the organisation as Executive Director in 2020. Bethan trained as a performer at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in the same class as Martin Freeman.

She co-founded mask and puppet theatre company Strangeface (2001), Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival (2014) and was Event Director at Historic Royal Palaces (2004-8). She was a Senior Manager at Arts Council England’s flagship participatory programme: Creative People and Places Project: Ideas Test (Swale and Medway). She is Chair of Funding For All Charity, supporting VCSEs to increase their fundraising success.

Q What was your first job and what was the pay packet?

A I was Shop Assistant at Alison’s Books in Bolton at 14. I was head-hunted as most likely to reinvest my wages back into their business! I was paid about £2.50 per hour.... a lifetime ago!

Q What would you do with your last pound?

A Put it on the lottery. Not sure that is the best answer but we have had Lottery support so we could argue some kind of increased chance of return on investment line.

Q What is the biggest challenge facing your business?

A Securing long term funding for the massive demand for community arts programmes. People want to create, and this takes capital and support from the private and public sectors.

Q If you were Prime Minister, what would be your first decision?

A Put myself on the chopping block and have a weekly People’s PMQs. We need to install more trust in politicians and one great way to do that would be to make myself fully accountable to the people; week in, week out.

Q If you could do another job what would it be?

A I’m passionate about people recognising the power they have. Everyone undervalues themselves at times both in terms of their capability and their impact on others around them – so guess I’d be a coach.

Q What book are you currently reading?

A Undoctored by Adam Kay, his sequel to This is Going to Hurt. It is funny, sharp and captures common experiences of vocation and ideals versus reality and paying the bills.