ESTHER FERRY-KENNINGTON – Executive Director
Esther joined H+B in 2007 from Oxfam. She is an ex-croupier, a keen singer and a Morris dancer, and probably much more besides. She is often found out and about selling and promoting work to the outside world with a tape measure in her handbag. She now works as Executive Director of the company.
BOB FRITH – Lead Artist
Bob founded Horse + Bamboo in 1978. Starting out as a visual artist, his performance and theatre work grew from his painting and printmaking. Bob now works part-time with Horse + Bamboo and is currently leading work on the Moonwatcher show. He also works with the Dave Pearson Trust and Apna project in Haslingden.
PHIL MILSTON – Technician & Facilities Manager
Phil works as part of the Arts Team, looking after and managing the building, and also over-seeing our venue technical systems and advising on lighting and sound in our own productions. He is very much at home working on building and systems management, and so he’s currently very busy managing the capital improvements to the building and upgrading the resources and facilities at the Boo.
HEATHER WALKER – Book-keeper
Heather lives in Waterfoot and has joined us as Bookkeeper, having worked for several charities in finance roles. She loves growing things in her polytunnel, making chutney and baking cakes. Of a weekend she can sometimes be spotted playing synthesiser in a local band or out on her mountain bike tackling the hills of Rossendale.
ELMA IKIN – Administrator
Elma joined the Boo in June 2016. She is a relative new comer to Rossendale, living here for just 12 years! She enjoys yoga, eating cake and reading and, on evenings and weekends, she enjoys running over the local hills.
ALICIA MYERSCOUGH – Family Engagement Artist
Alicia grew up just over the valley in Ramsbottom and now lives in Rochdale with her husband, their two goldfish, two little guinea pigs and dog. She trained at Rose Bruford on the Actor-Musicianship Programme and since graduating has worked in the UK and abroad as an Actor, Musician and Puppeteer. Alicia loves sewing, knitting, baking and gardening (and more recently, DIY), and is always excited for life’s next adventure!
RUTHIE BOYCOTT-GARNETT – Baby Boo
Ruthie has been involved in developing our Baby Boo Programme, you may have met her out and about in the libraries and children centres of Rossendale with all sorts of sensory baby fun. When she’s not doing Baby Boo she runs a session called Cello Babies and helps deliver Art Baby at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester and the Bridgewater Hall. In a typical week she meets a lot of babies! When she’s not playing with babies she likes to sing sea shanties.
E: ruthieboycottgarnett@gmail.com
Music Directors
Current Performers and Artists
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS, PERFORMERS AND CREATIVE COLLABORATORS WHO ARE CURRENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPANY:
Jonny Quick, Aya Nakamura, Vanessa Card, MJ Deans, Charlotte Dubery, Frances Merriman, Mairi Morrison, Steff Lee, Daniella Orsini, Francesca Dunford, Joanne B Kaar, Ellie Chaney, Chris Spears, Jordanna O’Neill, Maryam Golubeva, Farzana Patel, Rehmat Gangreker, Uzma Kazi, Kain Leo, Alasdair Price and Arry Nessa.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lynne Farnell (Chair)
Mich Noquet
David Agnew: Director of The Met, Bury.
Tricia Brindle: Programme Manager Wellbeing Groundwork Pennine Lancashire
Laurence Kaye: Composer, musician, teacher and leading Pirate
Dr David Kreps: Information Systems academic. Head of Research Centre, Salford Business School.
Robert Westwell: Accountant (retired)
Caroline Eccles: Co-Founder of Huckleberry Films, Lancashire
Ayesha Gavin: Founder of Ayesha Communications, Family Programme Representative
Anthony McClean: Aeronautical Engineer, Family Programme Representative