15 January 2009
What a very mixed day it has been!
The sadness of the funeral for our much loved Jose this afternoon, later on being able to share happy memories with her husband Alan and family, and now we are at another rehearsal nearer our production of Fiddler on the Roof.
For anybody not present at the beginning of last Thursday evening I just wanted to confirm some of the things that were said:
• I have been asked to take on the role of Chairman which I have agreed to do on the proviso that the remaining Members of the Committee also agree to serve at least one further term (subject of course to that being confirmed at the Annual General Meeting in May). In a nutshell I want to take forward with me Jose's team. We work well together and no one is shy of taking on the work. It will also provide continuity as we move towards 2010 and the Society's 50th Anniversary.
• As a Committee we then unanimously agrred to request Vera Adams to join us to fill the casual vacany left by me becoming Chairman. (In accordance with the Constitution of the Society). I am pleased to welcome Vera to the committee.
• We will be dedicating our production of Fiddler on the Roof to Jose Webb and we all need to make sure that this is as good as it can be. The Friday evening's collection, 13 March, will be for the Diabetes Association UK in memory of Jose as this charity was very important to her.
• Marion Hunting has taken on the job of administering the Society Box Office. Just another of the thankless tasks that Jose carried out for many years on our behalf. Obviously everybody will have to disregard the printed information on the flyers and posters that are in circulation, but our web site has been updated and the Thameside Theatre staff are also aware of the new details. A big thank you to Marion for this. Please keep those ticket orders rolling in!
As many of you will know, Jose ran a fund raising event for the Diabetes UK each year in the form of a garden party/games afternoon with teas and sandwiches and coffee and cakes. Alan Webb has already said that he would like this event to continue in her memory and he has said that it will be held on 1 August at their home. Please make a note of that in your diary in the hope that you will be free to come along and spend a few bob.
Another question that Jose always asked at this time of year was that anyone with unwanted and unused Christmas presents donates them please to TOPS for use in our raffles both for our audiences at the Theatre and at other fund raising occasions. We will be collecting them at rehearsals from next week om.
Finally a reminder to everyone that the programme for Fiddler on the Roof is now in preparation and biographies and all other details for it must be with me by the end of January at the latest.
Ken Baker Chairman of TOPS
Click here to email the Chairman.
