THE TRUSTEES
Martin Welsh
Chairman
Martin works for a large construction company – based on site, usually in Central London. He lives in New Malden with his wife Penny and their 4 kids, the youngest of whom (Dan) has been part of the wonderful Children’s Theatre Club at the LAC since 2007. Martin joined in later that year appearing in Oklahoma! and has rarely been away since then… He became a trustee in 2014 and chairman in 2019.
Alan Brown
Alan is an architect and a founding director of IID Architects in Richmond. He lives in Raynes Park with his wife and has been involved in the Arts Centre as a Trustee and active member of the LAC Community since 2008. He attends a local church in Kingston, enjoys drama, storytelling, drumming and his grandchildren.
Mick Fuller
Secretary
Mick has been a Trustee of Lantern Arts since 2009 and is now Secretary. He is a retired policeman and after 30 years in the ‘job’ he then worked for 12 years for the Charity Commission. He is a member of Streatham Baptist Church and is the designated Child Protection Officer. He has been Stage Manager for several LAC productions.
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 lead two children’s centres. She now assesses children and young people’s workforce qualifications and teaches parents with young children how to support language in the early years. She loves researching where to find money for LAC, helping Tricia with fundraising and volunteering in the centre .
Steve Humphrys
Treasurer
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.
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.
James Hebbourn
James is a Civil Servant and has worked across several different departments in Whitehall. He currently works on health and business policy. Since getting involved at the centre in 2018, James has thrown himself into all that the LAC has to offer, from main productions to classes and events. In doing so he has rekindled a personal affection for the dramatic arts and found a wonderful community of passionate, creative people dedicated to promoting accessible and community-based arts activities. Outside of the LAC, James also enjoys Brazilian Jujitsu and wood turning.
Nina van Gessel
Nina taught English Literature at universities in Canada and the Netherlands before moving to Raynes Park fourteen years ago. She now works at the University of Roehampton, marvelling every day that her cycle commute takes her through Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. Her teenage children have both done drama at the LAC, and the whole family are keen supporters of this wonderful community resource.
Gwen Elliot
Gwen is a music teacher and occasional professional actor and singer. Having been involved with Lantern Arts since April 2018, on moving to Raynes Park from Sussex in August 2019, she was keen to give time and energy to promoting the work of this great community Arts centre. Living with her husband and daughter, she has enjoyed exploring the local area, walking and singing in a choir and is an active member of Everyday Church, Wimbledon.
Tricia Rutter
Fundraising Co-ordinator
Tricia lives in Epsom and has been involved with the LAC since 2000.She became a Trustee in 2009 and coordinates the fundraising activities at the Lantern Arts Centre. Tricia enjoys live music, singing, making costumes, drama and reading and is part of the worship team at the United Church of St Mark’s, Epsom Downs.
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.