Welcoming New Staff and Trustees

The charity running Trowbridge’s historic Town Hall has recruited a new member of staff to their core team.

Emily Thommes joins as Office and Finance Manager. She has worked as a theatre producer and arts manager for organisations including Lost Dog, Pride in London, Fuel, Theatre-Rites, Impropera, Engineer Theatre Collective & Arts2Educate. She was as independent Governor for Royal Central School of Speech and Drama between 2017-20 and has an MA in Creative Producing.

Emily says:

“This is a hugely exciting time to be joining Trowbridge Town Hall, as we work towards our goal to become a Creative Civic Space for the 21st Century. I am excited to support the organisation’s financial sustainability, ensuring it can remain an integral part of the community for many years to come. I’m also looking forward to developing effective, long-lasting systems and policies and helping to nurture an interconnected & supportive workplace.”

The Town Hall has also appointed two new Trustees to join its governing board: Amber Massie-Blomfield and Matt Stabb.

Born in Trowbridge and raised in nearby Winsley, Amber is a freelance arts producer, working with clients including Pro Helvetia (the Swiss Arts Council), the National Gallery, the Barbican, Free Word and many more. Formerly she was executive director and joint CEO of Camden People’s Theatre, and head of communications for the Albany, Deptford. She is also a writer, and her first book, Twenty Theatres to See Before You Die, is all about the remarkable power of arts venues to shape our communities.

“I’m thrilled to join the board of Trowbridge Town Hall, and to support the inspiring vision of this special building as a cultural and social hub for everyone in the local area, at a time when community connections feel so vital. For me, being a part of Trowbridge Town Hall will be a chance to return to my west country roots, and to spend more time in a place I’ve always been proud to call home.”

Matt is one of two Trustees elected to the Board from its Membership. He has lived in Trowbridge for over 30 years. Matt works with Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living and enjoys going to gigs, loves football, tattoos and his sub-culture. He lives with his wife and has one stepson.

“As a Trowbridge resident, I care about the future of the town. I think it is important that the Town Hall’s Board is a diverse group of people. I have cerebral palsy and would like to make sure that disability is considered in everything the Town Hall wants to achieve. I am looking forward to seeing the Town Hall become a hub of the local community and being a venue for everyone in Trowbridge and the surrounding area to access.”

The Town Hall’s new Chair Rosemary Macdonald commented on the appointments:

“These appointments will strengthen Trowbridge Town Hall at a crucial moment in the organisation’s journey and I’m greatly looking forward to working with Emily, Amber and Matt. They’ll help us to achieve our ambitious plans for the building whilst keeping us rooted to the town, its communities and its residents.”