Festival Committee

Rozena Tandy

Chair

Rozena is a University of Creative Arts alum who believes that art is a powerful tool for mental well-being; life is better with a splash of colour and a dash of creativity. Whether getting lost in the swirls of a paintbrush or trying to convince a clay sculpture that it really is supposed to look like a bat, art is her happy place.

Rozena loves reading and runs a monthly book club as well as taking in as much theatre as her purse strings allow.

Claudia Cartwright

Arts Development Officer, Mole Valley District Council

Claudia has been Arts Development Officer at Mole Valley District Council since 2018.  She has a passionate belief that engagement with the arts at any level has the power to improve wellbeing and social connection. Before working at MVDC she studied Design History at the University in Brighton.

Claudia was shortlisted for ‘Arts Champion – Local Authority or Cultural Trust’ at the National Campaign for the Arts ‘Hearts for the Arts’ Awards in 2021, and in 2022 she won ‘Best Arts Project – Local Authority’ for her project ‘Intergenerational Connections’ which brought together children, elders, a large piano and an opera singer.

Bev Porter

Treasurer

Bev is a retired Accountant living in Ashtead and as well as keeping us all in hand on the committee, also prepares accounts and auditing for several local Guides, Rainbow and Brownie groups. His interests include DIY, gardening, cycling round Surrey, music, local history and walking.

Barbara Christopher

Barbara spent thirty years working in the education system with most of these being in South London. She now spends her life singing, and lives in Dorking. Barbara enjoys being in three local choirs but spends most of her week leading singing sessions in Day Centres and for Charity run groups. The sessions provide an hour of music and laughter for older members of the community but some are particularly for those who are cared for by family and friends while living with dementia. The power of music to restore and invigorate cannot be denied.

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Ann Clark

Ann lives in Leatherhead and has been organising and supporting events in the town for several years. She is a member of Show Choir and enjoys all the old musicals and many of the new. Using her Facebook page, LoveLeatherhead, Ann promotes local cultural and artistic events.

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Maurice Homewood

Maurice Homewood has been a member of the Arts Alive committee ever since it was first formed in 1997 and chaired it for five years. His main interests are literature, creative writing and drama, and a lifelong love for the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. He lives in Brockham.

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Moira McRae

Moira represents Dorking and District Twinning Association on the Arts Alive Committee. During lockdown, Moira arranged for digital Arts Alive events from Dorking’s three twin towns: Gouvieux, Guglingen and Sinalunga.

Moira has a degree in English and American Literature, and she is a retired teacher and trainer. She speaks Italian.  Her Arts interests include live theatre and performance, Art exhibitions and courses in History of Art.

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Susie Marsden

Susie is an illustrator, based in Surrey. She creates surrealistic, detailed paintings and visual stories, showcasing emotive and creative expression within her line work and colour, bringing them into the world for others to enjoy. she can explore new expression pathways by showing ideas and understanding of topics that involve her visual narratives and through the messages and strength in her illustrations.

Joyce Hampton

I have been an Ashtead resident for over twenty years. For many years I have supported several charities in and around London and Surrey, including an art society.  I worked in accountancy until I retired then concentrated my efforts and business skills on assisting various organisations.  I have been a chairperson for many years for two organisations and from May I will be  the President of an academic Society in London.

I like the challenge of pooling ideas and progressing them to gain the best possible outcome for the organisation.  I am very IT literate. I enjoy writing (two books published) and art (watercolour/pastels and acrylics are my preferred mediums).   

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