Mayor of Winchester welcomes new Theatre Chief Executive to city
The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Jane Rutter, welcomed Deryck Newland, the new Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal and
Hat Fair, to the city of Winchester at a special reception in Abbey House on Tuesday 21 March.
The reception was attended by representatives from Winchester’s vibrant creative sector including those delivering major festivals and events in the Winchester District.
Theatre Royal Winchester presents a first class programme of drama, dance, children's theatre, comedy, music and pantomime. The Hat Fair is the UK's longest running festival of street theatre, comedy, and music, and is held in Winchester during the first weekend in July.
Deryck Newland became Chief Executive of Live Theatre Winchester Trust (Theatre Royal Winchester and Hat Fair) on 1 March 2017. Before coming to Winchester Deryck led Pavilion Dance South West, one of England’s National Dance Development Organisations, as Artistic Director and Chief Executive for five years. He was also Director of Salisbury Arts Centre between 2007 and 2012.
Deryck is experienced at leading arts organisations, encouraging them to work in creative partnerships, and he enjoys connecting artists and makers to communities and audiences.
In her welcome message the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Jane Rutter, said: As Mayor of Winchester I have had the privilege of attending a broad range of public engagements. These have included a wonderful array of cultural and creative events that Winchester offers to residents and visitors alike. One of the things that has struck me is the sheer number of diverse, high quality and creative events that take place right across our district, from music festivals to beer festivals to concerts and plays and exhibitions, and of course our world famous Hat Fair. One of the most important things I do as Mayor is to thank people, and today to thank those who are involved in producing and supporting this rich heritage of culture and the arts in our city. That’s primarily why we are gathered here today, so I am really pleased to be able to say thank you to you all for your enthusiasm, your vision, and for all you contribute to our city.
Deryck Newland, Chief Executive of Live Theatre Winchester Trust, added:
I am delighted to have started in my role at Theatre Royal Winchester. I am looking forward to using my background in theatre and dance, teaching, arts development and venue management to inform my work in Winchester. I am passionate about opening performance up for as broad a cross-section of society as possible and to working with the Winchester District’s cultural sector to make this happen.
To find out more about festivals taking place in the Winchester District visit www.festivalsinwinchester.co.uk. To find out about the Theatre Royal’s and Hat Fair’s programme of events visit www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk.