The Committee | Friends of CryerArts

The CryerArts Centre: theatre, bar and restaurant. A lively local venue for entertainment, wining and dining.

The CryerArts Centre

39 High St, London, Carshalton SM5 3BB

cryerarts.co.uk

Meet the Committee of the Friends of CryerArts

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Chair

Lucy Chapman-Shanks is a full-time Mum to two young boys (2.5 and 4 years old). She took a career break in March 2020 from her role as a Change / Programme Manager to spend more time with her family, however, it is, without doubt, the hardest role she has had to date! Keen to build on her existing knowledge and skills during her break and with an unwavering interest in the arts since she was a child (everything from dance to photography to barbershop and choral singing and amateur dramatics), volunteering her time to set up and chair the Friends of CryerArts was an opportunity not to be missed.

Treasurer

Dick Bower has for a long time believed in community and has volunteered in many roles to build and develop community activity in and around Sutton. He is President, Hon Treasurer and archivist of Sutton Amateur Dramatic Club, which he joined in 1974 and which staged 64 productions at the Cryer between 1993 and 2015. He collaborated closely with the Council as Vice-Chair of Sutton Arts Council and Acting Chair of Arts Network Sutton and as a member of the groups organising the Borough’s response to the London Olympics and the centenary of WWI. He is now also Chair of Friends of the Wrythe. He is retired, having been the owner and MD of an advertising agency until 2015.

Secretary

Beverley Walker has worked for the library service in Sutton for the last twelve years. During this time, she has worked on many community projects, including the community website 'St. Helier Memories', of which she is still Editor. She also worked on the original research and exhibition of 'Men of the Wrythe', which started with the help of the Circle Library Local History Group. Beverley later went on to become involved with Friends of the Wrythe and became Secretary of the group in 2018. She joined the Friends of CryerArts because of her belief in the importance of local theatre to reach out to and include the wider community.

Committee Member

Elizabeth worked for 19 years at Honeywood Museum in Carshalton but has now retired and is enjoying time with her grandchildren. She became involved in amateur dramatics through her children. In 1993 one of her sons auditioned with Avalon theatre company and that saw the beginning of a long connection and many shows for her three children. After a few years Elizabeth decided to join in as well. An active member of the committee for many years she moved from a fundraising role to helping with costumes. Elizabeth saw the many skills and confidence involvement in theatre gave her children and has become involved with Friends of Cryer arts to support community opportunities in an environment that gave so much to her family.

CryerArts Representative

Margaret Thomas has worked in both the heritage and library service for the London Borough of Sutton. She is a local historian and was instrumental in setting up the heritage school’s programme. As library manager she worked in most of the libraries in the borough and set up the new Circle Library in Carshalton. A keen supporter of the arts, Margaret jumped at the opportunity to become involved in the new CryerArts centre. With plenty of experience in managing buildings, staff and writing policies this was an obvious choice for a new career. Despite the recent restrictions due to 'Covid 19', the theatre, restaurant and bar have been a great success. The theatre gives local groups a place to perform and also brings a variety of acts for local entertainment.