THE TRUSTEES
Chairman
Martin Welsh
Martin has been involved at the LAC since 2007, performing and volunteering in numerous ways. In 2014 he became a trustee and has been Chair of Trustees since 2019. He lives in Merton with his wife Penny and works in Central London for a large construction company. When not at the LAC he loves going to the theatre and, as if that wasn't enough drama, also has a season ticket at Stamford Bridge.
Treasurer
Steve Humphrys
After 25 years of being Musical Director for many Lantern Arts Centre’s Musicals and pantomimes, Steve joined the board of Trustees in 2022 as Treasurer. This followed on from his partial retirement working for one of the big four accounting firms.
As someone passionate about the Arts, this has given him the opportunity to use some of his other skills to support the organisation. Steve is also a church organist at St Marks Church, Tattenham Corner.
Vice Chair
Dave King
Dave is the Chief Executive of Brighter Horizons, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities in South London. He also runs Ignition Brewery, a social enterprise which employs and trains adults with learning disabilities to brew and serve delicious beer. He's been involved in the Lantern for over 10 years and regularly produces, stage manages and directs in the Main House. In his spare time, he enjoys baking and watching queer rom-coms.
Kay Wingate
Kay first encountered LAC when her daughter Rebecca appeared in Scrooge in December 2009. As well as decades as a Nursery Nurse, Kay has been a school governor, a Guider, was almost a local councillor and led two children’s centres. Kay has recently retired from her teaching role and now supports Play Zone using her Early Years background as part of the volunteer team. She loves researching where to find money for LAC, the Hub and joint projects.
Deacon Dawn Canham
Dawn was appointed here at the Lantern in 2018, having previously served
outside London. “Returning home” to London (born north east of the river) has
been a great joy, as has being able to fully express her passion for the arts through the solid relationship between the Lantern Methodist Church and the Lantern Arts Centre.
William Ostrom
William was delighted to discover LAC in 2018 and became a trustee in 2022.
He has a keen interest in the arts and is a fellow of the Royal Society for Arts. In his spare time he enjoys writing,
music composition and has performed parts in Gilbert & Sullivan operas and sings in local choirs. He lives locally with his wife in New Malden and has a background in marketing technology andruns online tuition and mentoring for communications skills training.
Gwen Elliot
Gwen works for a music publishing company and has been involved in performing all her life as a singer, musician, actor and director. Having been involved with Lantern Arts since 2018, and on moving to Raynes Park in 2019, she was keen to give time and energy to promoting the work of this great community Arts centre.
Living locally with her husband, she enjoys cycling, walking and exploring the local area, working on her allotment, singing in a London Acapella group and is an active member of Everyday Church, SW London.
Nina van Gessel
Nina van Gessel taught English literature at universities in Canada and the Netherlands before moving to Raynes Park almost 20 years ago. She discovered the LAC almost immediately, registering her toddler son in a Christmas production, in which he starred as a reindeer. (He has yet to forgive her). Her daughter would become a member of the Youth Theatre, an experience that almost certainly contributed to her decision to later study Creative Writing at university. Nina now works in university administration (much more interesting than it sounds), volunteers with the LAC whenever she can, and has acted as a Trustee since 2019.
Tim Barrow
Tim and his family discovered Lantern Arts through the Children’s Theatre Club. His three children attended for more then ten years, creating a well worn rut between Raynes Park and the family’s home in Epsom.Tim has worked in news broadcasting over many years covering everything from Gulf Wars to World Cups, as well as representing staff in negotiations between management and unions. His current business interests lie in the construction sector where he is CEO of two companies.Tim enjoys cycling and walking. In his spare time he dreams of building a shed and getting lots of DIY done.
Sadie Cook
Sadie is a graphic designer and theatremaker who has lived locally since 2010. She first experienced the warm welcome of the LAC when attending Once Upon a Storytime with her children, and has continued to attend & enjoy a wide range of events at the Lantern, plus performing in the main house production Blue Stockings in 2023. With over twenty years' experience of working in the arts in various different capacities, Sadie is delighted to be a Trustee of the LAC.
Tricia Rutter
Tricia lives in Newcastle, now, but has been involved with the LAC since 2000. She became a Trustee in 2009 and has helped with the fundraising activities at the Lantern Arts Centre and is part of the finance group. Tricia enjoys live music, singing, making
costumes, performing in past LAC productions and reading.
Ben O'Hagan
Ben lives in Raynes Park but only discovered the LAC in 2022. Since then, he has been involved in a variety of main house and studio productions, always on the technical side. He is passionate about helping people get involved in creative opportunities and is delighted to be part of the Lantern.