Chris Quirk (Chairman of Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust) EX-OFFICIO
Chris is the elected Isle of Wight Councillor for Shanklin South, and has served for over ten years as a Shanklin Town Councillor, including time as Deputy Mayor. As an elected Shanklin Town Councillor Chris led negotiations with the Isle of Wight Council for Shanklin Theatre to be re-opened and transferred to community ownership. He has been Chairman of Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust, the Charitable company that owns Shanklin Theatre, since its inception and, until 2017, was also Chairman of Shanklin Theatre Limited, the company that actually runs the Theatre. Although not serving on the Board, Chris still retains specific responsibilities for Health and Safety for this company.
Chris was a hotelier in Shanklin for many years, and served as elected Chairman of Shanklin Hotel and Accommodation Association (SHAA) and as the elected Hoteliers’ representative on the Island’s Tourism Development Board and subsequently the Tourism Advisory Board that superseded it when Visit Isle of Wight was formed.
A graduate Biochemist/Microbiologist with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, his varied earlier career was predominantly in the Pharmaceutical Industry, including time spent as Therapeutic Group Manager and Divisional Head at Glaxo, Commercial Director at the Open University, European Director at Edelman (a World leading PR Consultancy), and Commercial Director and Managing Director at two World-class Pharmaceutical Contract Research Organisations.
Chris is married to Joan; they have three grown-up children and nine grandchildren.
Sally Beston
Sally comes from an accounting background after leaving Comprehensive School in Kent in 1976. She held various positions in Investment banking in the City of London before moving onto the Island in 2001. Sally lives with her husband Michael who runs a successful tourism business operating in the heart of Shanklin since 2001.
Sally joined the Shanklin Hotel and Accommodation Association committee (SHAA) in 2002 and has been the current Chairman of SHAA since 2012. Sally also joined the Tourism Advisory Board in 2012 and remained on the Board until it disbanded after the introduction of the Wightbid.
Sally is currently a company Director for Visit Isle of Wight Ltd and is also a Director of the Shanklin Theatre Community Trust. Sally has extensive knowledge of the Island’s tourism industry and brings a wealth of hotel and hospitality knowledge with her.
Sally and her husband have two daughters who were educated on the Island; they are now both pursuing their own careers on the mainland.
Michael Beston
Michael left Comprehensive School in London in 1976 where he entered onto a RTITB apprenticeship into the automotive industry. Leaving the industry temporary to pursue a career with the Greater London Council in 1984 – 1986. Re-joining the automotive industry in 1987 and holding managerial positions with a leading international vehicle glass repair and replacement company before moving onto the Island in 2001. Michael runs a successful tourism business that has been operating in the heart of Shanklin since 2001.
Michael is an elected member of Shanklin Town Council and an Isle of Wight County Councillor. He is also a long standing committee member for the Friends of Shanklin Theatre and a Director of the Shanklin Theatre Community Trust. Michael brings a wealth of theatre and community knowledge with him.
His many and varied hobbies include; walking – cycling – photography – 1950’s classic vehicles – social media – the theatre and attending live music events across the UK.
Mick Dawson – Chairman
Mick moved from Lancashire to Ventnor with his parents and sister in April 1960 aged 9 years old. His parents, despite not having any experience in the hotel or hospitality industry, went on to purchase a 15 bedroom hotel. Mick was educated at Junior and Secondary schools in Ventnor, achieving 6 GCE O’levels and 3 CSE’s. In 1968 he enrolled on a four year course in hotel management that included two six month periods of industry training. Firstly at the Colne House Hotel in Cromer and at the Berystede Hotel in South Ascot in 1969.
In 1972 Mick graduated at Forte’s national training centre with a National Diploma in hotel keeping and catering, and became a member of the Hotel and Catering Institutional Management Association. (MHCIMA). In the later part of 1972, Mick’s parents, along with his sister and brother-in-law purchased the Melbourne Ardenlea Hotel in Shanklin.
During the next 32 years, the 2 Star rated Hotel was upgraded with all 55 rooms incorporating full en-suite facilities. A full central heating system was added including colour televisions in all rooms. By far, the largest project was the addition of the Island’s largest indoor swimming pool complete with sauna, sunbed and spa bath, complete with nine en-suite bedrooms above and accessed by a new lift.
After Mick’s parents had passed away, the Hotel was sold in 2004. A year later, Mick and his wife Jan purchased the St Georges House Hotel in Shanklin. Specialising in bed and breakfast accommodation, all the bedrooms were converted to include en-suite facilities.
Shortly after, they were introduced to Shanklin Hotel and Accommodation Association (SHAA). Mick subsequently joined the SHAA committee and then went on to take the role as treasurer and later to the role as president after his retirement. Mick is also a Director of the Shanklin Theatre Community Trust and brings a wealth of tourism and hospitality industry knowledge with him.
Anne Corby
I arrived to live on the IOW in July 1960, and continued my education at Portsmouth College of Technology. There I studied for a National Diploma in Hotel Keeping and Catering for three years.
After passing and receiving my Diploma I was offered the chance to start a business with my husband, and bought a 12 bedroomed hotel in Ventnor. During the first Winter I was asked to return to Portsmouth College to become a Lecturer, the second Winter I was to teach catering at Sandown Grammar School.
Eventually we progressed to the 53 bedroomed Melbourne Ardenlea Hotel with my family, which we ran for 32 years, developing and improving as we went and as times changed.
During this period, and as our two children grew I took on several positions on various catering committees. These included the IOW Licensed hotels and establishments Association, of which I was chairman for 3 years. I enjoyed this immensely as it covered the whole of the Island and promoted as a single entity. It was the largest and most effective vehicle to influence the Council in matters pertinent to the Hotel and Catering industry.
I was also a director of the Wight Training and Enterprise Council during its tenure, and rubbed shoulders with all the major and big businesses on the Island. A very stimulating and interesting experience, I was the only female member!!
At the same time my other all encompassing interest was the College, especially with regards to training in our industry. I started on the Catering advisory Committee and progressed to being Vice Chairman, during this period taking the College through several difficult changes with regards to funding and changes in regulating boards. These were all major and difficult changes and helped to make the College what it is today.
I hope the experiences of above will help me in this new venture and I look forward to being a part of its success.
Roger Coleman
Born in Nuneaton Warwickshire, I moved to the island in the mid 1970’s and was educated at Sandown High School. Having left school I started work at W Teague and Co Limited in Ryde and Newport which specialised in Sheet Music and Musical Instruments until the company closed in 2004.
In 2004 I joined Electrical Retailer Sinclair Youngs until they ceased in 2009. Having been made redundant I volunteered at Shanklin Theatre and subsequently went on to be their Operations and Bookings Manager.
I spent many years volunteering with Hospital Radio at St Marys Hospital, Newport and have worked in Local Radio Including at Cowes Weeks “Cowes Radio”.
Jeanette Barclay-Jay
Jeanette was born and grew up in the London Borough of Hillingdon. She attended the University of Plymouth where she graduated with a degree in Geography.
She worked at Brunel University until she moved to the Island in 2004 with her husband and 2 month old baby. She helped run the family hotel in Shanklin before in 2010 starting a job as receptionist at the Trouville Hotel, a large coaching hotel in Sandown. She worked hard to establish herself and has recently been promoted to Hotel Manager.
Outside of work Jeanette has always had a keen interest in the performing arts. Living close to London meant regular access to West End shows when she was growing up. She performed herself in many concerts for the Hillingdon Music Centre playing the Violin or Clarinet. Nowadays her contribution is much more as ‘dance mum’.
Jeanette has 4 children and 2 of them are regular performers on the Isle of Wight Stage, performing with numerous dance schools and theatre groups over the years. Between them they have performed in theatres with Spotlight, Curtain Call and The Island Savoyards. As well as a vast array of performances with Dance Vibez including shows at Disneyland Paris, Isle of Wight Festival and on Cruise Ship Magellen. Jeanette likes to support these local groups and as a licenced chaperone helps whenever she can.
Jeanette is looking forward to supporting performing arts further through her involvement with Shanklin Performing Arts Centre.
Kerry Haywood
I worked at Landguard holiday park and Gurnard Pines as an entertainer for a few years, where I met my husband. After a while I worked at The Shanklin Hotel in the reception meeting and greeting guests and taking bookings.
I have worked as an office administrator at a local primary school for the last 10 years, after a taking a break to have my two children.
As a child I was a regular performer at Shanklin Theatre appearing in the annual pantomimes and the May Whitson holiday musicals with Island Theatre Productions. Sometimes taking on parts, joining the chorus or dancing. In my early 20’s I also performed at the Apollo Theatre in Newport.
I have been dancing since the age of 2 1/2 at various dance schools in the local area. My children have followed my footsteps and also dance and perform locally, training at the Shanklin Performing Arts Centre.
Ann Abe-Deacon
Member of UKALTD Professional Dancer and fully qualified dance teacher in various genres including, ballet, tap, freestyle, hip hop, Bollywood, cheer leading and many more. She is also the choreographer and area manager for Rare Productions at The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth.
Miss Ann has toured all around the world including Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Portugal, Spain Morocco and many more, dancing in various dance groups performing in prestigious places.
After living in Japan for over six years, she moved to London and opened a big successful dance school giving hundreds of the students the opportunities to perform at the West End. Miss Ann choreographed the performances for many West End shows held at the Sadlers Wells Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, 02 and the London Palladium, this particular show was especially for Dame Vera Lynn and the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended as a special guest.
Miss Ann opened Dance Vibez dance school, which followed suit performing at the above venues. The dance school prides itself with 100% pass rate in exams, and the school is kept extremely busy performing all over the island in residential homes, charity events in hotels, festivals etc. Dance Vibez have also performed at Disney Land Paris on a number of occasions and has performed on a cruise ship. With the passion of dance in mind, Miss Ann DJ’s all over the Island and the mainland.
She assists in running a Sunday school and has been a school governor. Ann also owned a local Hotel for over ten years, and has gained a plethora of business experience. But the love of dance has never left her and she strives to help give, the up and coming youth many experiences to enhance their careers and wellbeing. During the Covid pandemic, Miss Ann took an active part in making and preparing lunches for the vulnerable to help assist them through the very rough period.
Miss Ann is passionate about the theatre, and very committed in seeing that the newly developing Shanklin Performing Arts Centre is successful, to enable lots of new opportunities and happiness upon its completion.
