Now that I have been fortunate enough to take on the role of Community Manager for The Sussex Newspaper, I thought it might be a good opportunity to let you know a little bit more about myself, and how I have come to be in this position.
It was 2001 when I moved to the amazing county of Sussex, and I’ve never looked back. There is something very special about the coastline, the South Downs National Park and the lovely people who live here, that make it the ideal place to live. I’m based in Eastbourne, and I really love the town. Whether it’s a walk along the prom, an ice cream on the pier or the fabulous events that happen throughout the year, there is always something to do here and to help you realise what an amazing place it is.
I have a real passion for the arts, and started working in the theatre industry when I was in my 20’s. Skip forward a few decades and, in September 2013 I started to write theatre reviews for The Sussex Newspaper. Covering, mainly, Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing and Brighton, I can often be found in one of the marvellous performance venues that we have here in Sussex, and I enjoy reviewing both professional and amateur productions.
In the last 10 years I have reviewed about 800 productions that have appeared in theatres across the county. Some huge West End productions that travel to these parts after being in London, some superb amateur productions that are home grown and always of the very best quality and, oh yes I have, many Christmas pantomimes!
When I’m not out and about watching shows, I can usually be found in my home-built radio studio as I am also the Director of Programming for Box Office Radio, a radio station devoted to music from the stage and screen. I present my own show, on Wednesday evening from 8pm until 10pm, but I’m also responsible for the day to day running of the station as well.
I did my first ever radio show back in 1980, for hospital radio in Salisbury, and, since then, I have presented shows on Community Radio, Local Radio and have even worked for the BBC in Nottingham where I created, and presented, a show called Theatreland (well it would be, wouldn’t it) which still runs on the station to this day, 30 years after it was created.
Presenting a musical theatre show on the radio is a fun job and, as I have such a passion for theatre, it suits me well and fits together nicely with the arts coverage that I will continue to provide for The Sussex Newspaper.
So, in a nutshell, that’s me really. There is one other facet to my life that I haven’t mentioned here because, very soon, you will be able to read all about that in my new column, The Naked Truth, which will be a regular insight into a world with which many people don’t usually have any contact.
I really love The Sussex Newspaper and all that it strives to do and look forward to a very exciting future.