The Billings is a community theatre venue designed to offer theatre workshops for adults (18+), performance opportunities for adults, and space for artists and companies to develop ideas, rehearse, and perform.
We invite you to complete the relevant form, so that we can share opportunities with you in the future, from across Theatre Royal Bath.
We look forward to hearing about you and welcoming you to The Billings community.
Complete our Community Theatre Participation Opportunities form
Complete our Community Theatre Programming Opportunities form
You can help build a new community fringe theatre at Theatre Royal Bath where the ambition for art and inclusion is equally high.
The Billings will be a stage where local people can enjoy life-affirming experiences in collaboration will freelancers at the top of their game. We have been fundraising for 18 months and your donation now will help close the gap!
Donations of £2500+ will leave a lasting legacy and receive recognition on our donor board in the space.
Please choose an amount to donate
Why The Billings? Why now?
The Billings is a home for our adult participation programme, and the fourth and final venue at Theatre Royal Bath.
Your support now will leave a lasting legacy because a home for ambitious, inclusive community work like this has a trickle-down effect for generations. At this point, when so many have already given, every single donation brings us closer to building The Billings and our commitment to grass-roots theatre work for the long haul. A building is more than a promise, it is an invitation.
Bath is full of creativity — but short on creative space.
Research and community consultation showed:
- 58% of creatives and local community organisations surveyed in 2022 told us rated local access to training as poor
- 66% said affordable rehearsal space is scarce
- Bath & North East Somerset council and West of England Combined Authority have highlighted a lack of creative space as a barrier to growth
- Over 400 people applied to join the recent community play
- Disabled, low‑income and global majority participants face persistent barriers and struggle to find affordable space
What is The Billings?
The Billings offers affordable space to help level the playing field. It transforms the last unused space at Theatre Royal Bath unto an accessible, affordable, professionally supported studio theatre designed from the ground up for community creativity. Inside, we will facilitate creative learning, community partnerships and new work, supporting emerging talent and engaging over 1,500 participants and 3,000 audience members annually within the first 4 years. With inclusive design at its core, it will expand opportunities for community creativity year after year.
Head of Engagement, Janine Solomon-Gardner explains Theatre Royal Bath’s capital project: The Billings community studio
A Legacy Rooted in Bath’s Theatrical History
The Story of Beryl Billings
The Billings proudly bears the name of Margot Boyd who was born, Beryl Margot Billings (1913–2008) — an actor whose life embodied the transformative power of theatre.
Born in Bath to a family of theatre lovers, she was encouraged from childhood to perform recitals for relatives. After graduating from RADA, she built a lifelong acting career alongside many of the greats — Michael Redgrave, Vivien Leigh, James Stewart, Noël Coward, George Bernard Shaw. She became beloved nationwide as Mrs Antrobus in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, a role she played for 20 years. On her 90th birthday, colleagues surprised her at BBC Pebble Mill with her favourite meal: eggs and chips with a whisky and soda.
In leaving the majority of her estate to create opportunities for theatrical education and access in Bath — and to support actors facing hardship — she made an incredible commitment that continues to shape Bath’s artistic life today.
The Miss Beryl Billings Charitable Trust has contributed over £1 million to make The Billings possible.
Your gift now continues the legacy she began.
Front of House Team Member and community participant Helen Miller explains what being a part of Engage has meant to her:
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS DONATED SO FAR
We extend our sincere gratitude to the organisations and individuals supporting this capital campaign:
See the full list of our supporters here
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Christina Michalos |
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Matthew Redding |
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Ilke Bac |
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Cherry Dodwell |
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Sarah Miller |
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Chris and Philippa |
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Kate Manning |
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Hilary Quinlan |
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Michael Barr |
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Karen Mosley |
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Peter Jefferson |
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Eric Tracey |
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Vanessa Cahill |
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Harriet Peters |
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Sarah Dickson |
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Judith Hutchins |
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Stephen Eastaugh-Waring |
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Kirsty Harper |
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Francois Letaconnoux |
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Chris Lovell |
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Judith Hutchins |
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Vanessa Lemes Rowland |
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Mike Burks |
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Richard Freeman |
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Gilpin |
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P & V Rowland |
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Vaughan |
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J Dawe |
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Chris Born |
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Mike & Jan Stanton |
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Fiona Hooper |
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Luana |
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Kunera Moore |
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Heywood Mariana |
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Kerry Irvine |
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Charlie Max Weiland |
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Rebecca R Pauling |
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Chris & Marie Woodward |
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In Memory of Kyle Johnson |
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Mary Rooney |
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Deanna Lockstedt |
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E&P Tracey |
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Catherine Rayner |
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Catherine Ronan |
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Mark & Shelagh Land |
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Alice Bretherton |
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Michael Bloor |
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Jan and Mike Coxon |
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Richard E Harries |
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Denis Jones |
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Antonia Hoogewerf |
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Debbie & Bernard Newman |
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Emma Cliffe |
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John Peverley |
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John Lyon |
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Damon Stubbs |
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SteveR |
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Laura Bayman |
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Russell Lakin |
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Justin Douglas |
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John Evans |
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Hamrag |
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Tricia Owens |
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Sarah Dickson |
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Nicholas Matthews |
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Neil Butters |
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Lyuba |
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Batt Family |
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Gavin Irvine |
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Suzanne Harris |
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Rachel Hills |
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Heather Fleming |
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Matt |
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Paul Johnson |
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Annoymous |
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Carol & James Slater |
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Jeremy & Sarah |
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Tina Salata |
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Robert Young |
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John Kirby |
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Theresa Ardley |
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Shonagh Bury |
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Clive & Su Ross |
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Lucy MS |
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Sandie Campbell |
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Brigitte Winand |
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John & Rachel Harrison |
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The Passmores |
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Justin Douglas |
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Ian McIntosh |
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Fred Ballard |
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Gilbert McCool |
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Paul Emanuelli |
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Trace |
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Jane |
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Nathalie Rivere de Carles |
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Kenny Smith |
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Henry Watson |
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John Rodway |
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Rick Rylance |
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Matt |
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Matt |
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Lindsay S Whitmore |
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Meirion Rees |
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Bert and Bernie |
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Mrs Judith Hutchins |
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Peter Taylor |
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The Crowes |
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Anon |
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Sarah Curwen |
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William Batstone |
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Rosie Kindersley |
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Frazer Anderson |
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Juliet Crisp |
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LD |
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Richard Lockwood |
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Robert Binney |
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Anna Maxwell |
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Paul Grout |
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christine somerville |
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L Lemon |
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Stephanie Mohr |
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Rob Eaker and Katheryn Rambo Eaker |
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John Quartly |
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Steve M |
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Calvin Rothrock |
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Susanne Haselgrove |
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Isobel wykes |
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Paul Grout |
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Ian Seaton |
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Emma Russell |
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Cas Fail |
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Nicola Tanner |
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Richard Wassell |
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David & Samantha Lawrence |
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Sharon webb |
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Tracey Rochester |
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Mike J |
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G and J Jones |
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Bernadette White |
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Kathryn Bishop |
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Peter Jefferson |
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Sue Herniman |
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lorraine shearing |
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Marilyn Reynolds |
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Richard Warren |
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Angela Jones |
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Kevin Osbon |
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Rachel Lane |
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Chris |
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Cecily Howick |
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Julie & John Clapp |
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Stephanie Dowding |
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Julia Phillips |
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Mrs Christine Gardner |
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Martin Clowes |
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Nigel Tarrant |
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Karen Chapple |
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Tim Wiseman |
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Mike Weaver |
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Matthew Kirk |
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Tara Tabari |
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ROSELYND ARTHURS |
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Simon Morgan |
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Helen Selwood |
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TNS Catering |
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Ian Meadows |
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Jonathan Hunt |
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ian osler |
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Bernard and the Princess |
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Neil Butters |
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A & C Wiseman |
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J Eames |
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Mr. Potter+ Mrs Glass |
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Steve Coles |
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John & Julie CLAPP |
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Chloe moxom |
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Elizabeth Hardy |
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Richard and Jamie Simpson |
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David Jones |
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Carol Cooper |
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Richard Carpenter |
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Lilia Hollingworth |
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Jo Burnard |
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Graham Hadley |
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Lydia Jones |
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Anita Clelland |
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Kate Law |
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George Dewey |
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A Lock |
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Alison Born |
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Marc Kemp |
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Nick Pond |
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Peter Glanvill |
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Simon Bateman |
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Phil summerhayes |
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Megan |
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Bourne |
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Tony Thompson |
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Stasia Mosd |
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sally kerr |
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Anna Perry |
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timothy shone |
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Tracy Hather |
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sally kerr |
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Claire and Danny Crowe |
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Graham Owens |
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Iain Parish |
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Matt |
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Mutley |
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Sue Bradbrooke |
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christine s |
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Mark Ansell |
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James Hunt |
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sarah barnes |
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Dave Saunders |
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Denis Lomax |
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Sue Evans |
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Kitty Lambah |
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Bernadette White |
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Melissa Dalley |
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Eele |
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Lynne Williams |
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Sarah Cooper |
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Sue Murray |
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Norman C |
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Joseph Collins |
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Chris Samuel |
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Christine Brown |
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zanna beswick |
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David Blatchford |
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Thomas Tripp |
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Saskia Blake |
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Nicky Lewis |
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Eunice Wheeler |
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Alice Walmesley |
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Lynne James |
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Matt |
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Maya Barbu |
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Tariq Bashir |
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Lydia Jones |
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Emma Williams |
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Andrew Stevenson |
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Jenny Carter |
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Georgie Laurence |
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Tony and Sue |
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Iolo Jones |
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L. Luton |
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Graham Hadley |
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Marian White |
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Jemma |
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Penny |
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Phil Summerhayes |
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Mrs Philippa Hodson |
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Lesley Norriss |
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Ian Harrison |
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Andrew Paton |
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Tabitha Claydon |
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Joanna Haddon |
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Sarah Swords |
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Diana Wayne |
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Mrs D Moore |
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Eleanor Mc |
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MAXINE TAYLOR |
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Lydia Jones |
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Cathy Brooks-Baker |
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Pamela Coles |
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Ann Bednall |
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Donna Lawson |
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Marcie Hutchings-Oeler |
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Sally-Anne Norris |
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Tony Thompson |
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Richard Whitehouse |
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Jenny Bull |
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Marc Kemp |
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Naomi S |
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Ben Banks |
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Ms Lynda Webb |
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Keir |
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Sheba Riches |
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Catherine Mecredy |
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Alexandra Pickford |
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Pauline Cameron |
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Flo Higgins |
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Lydia Jones |
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Lydia Jones |
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Jon Thorne |
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RACHEL PENNINGTON |
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P Hood |
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E Nurton |
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Charlie Scott |
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Ava Shaw-Butt |
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Sarah Garrood |
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Sydney Bedford |
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John Harrison |
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Sue Denmark |
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Liz Redmayne |
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CLARE WILLIAMSON |
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Heidi woolford |
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The Crowes |
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David Souden |
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Robert and Nicola Topazio |
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Matt |
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Terry Adams |
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Margaret Greenwood |
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Alex Raeburn |
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Emma Veale |
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Dan Hird |
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Cameron Skelton |
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Kevin March |
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Nicola Alexander |
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Esther Reynolds |
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Andrew Paton |
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Stacey |
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Lorraine Ashbourne |
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Russell Bennetts |
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Pete and Carol Godwin |
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Lesley Barber |
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Derek Grant |
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Will Townsend |
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Alex Pinkstone |
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Nicola Berkeley |
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Graham Hadley |
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Nezi & Randal |
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N P Bender |
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Mr Charles Burgess |
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Rachel Howard |
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Robert Jefferson |
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Eve Wheaton |
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Abi McGuire |
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Kevin Bond |
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Sluey |
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Ella Lofthouse-Giles |
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Craig Money |
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Tony and Sue |
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Sunitha Koppella |
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Mr N Swinburne |
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kanta dicorato |
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Julia Cramp |
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Tony and Sue |
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Monika Barnes |
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Anita Cartolano |
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Carol Hibbert |
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Sally Moran |
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Chris & Judi Johnson |
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Derek |
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Be Wright |
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Watts |
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Lydia Jones |
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Mr Dean Williams |
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Matt |
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Kimberlee Lim |
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rosser |
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Daniel Taylor |
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Kenny Bee |
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Tony and Sue |
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RACollins |
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Tony And Sue |
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Joanne Howells |
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Tony n Sue |
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Tony n Sue |
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Michael Murphy |
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Matt |
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Jeffrey Coles |
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Mark Richards |
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Samuel Pew Latter |
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Lucia Jakubikova |
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Tina Hunt |
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Will Townsend |
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Tony and Sue |
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Maria Orson |
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Katy Turner |
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Clare whitehead |
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MacHattie |
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Daniel Williams |
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Marija Lj |
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Lani Calape |
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Ian Hartland |
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Carolyn Dee |
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Sarah |
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Zoe Joseph |
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Rich Harries |
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Linda Pike |
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Arwen Skinner |
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GREGOIRE |
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Sarah Gray |
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Verity Taylor |
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amy kolarides |
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Dr Funkenstein Himself: Rexx Carr |
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Tabitha Potts |
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ZSA |
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Lucy Gallwey |
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Oliver Nash |
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Lizzy |
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Sarah |
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SYLVIA & TONY COOPER |
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Mini |
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Duncan Wildsmith |
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Nigel Futter |
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Mr Ugo Gasparino Dr Carol Jenkins Richard Aquilina Nigel Pollard Amanda Stonehouse E F Tracey |
We would also like to thank anonymous donors to the campaign.
Ralph Fiennes
Harriet Walter
Patrick Robinson
Rosalind Eleazar
The Cast of As You Like It, 2025
The Company of Grace Pervades, 2025
Rachel Tucker
The Bath Rotary Club Fireworks
Axel
What will the impact be?
We anticipate that The Billings will enable us to triple our programme for participants, making sure even more people benefit from the sense of belonging and reduction in loneliness that participants have told us they have enjoyed.
Within the first 4 years we expect up to 4000 tickets could be sold every year. That's 4000 more audience members enjoying low-cost tickets and the chance to see exciting grass-roots work from and about their local community.
Helen Miller, a participant of our Engage programme who has gone on to work in our Front of House team, tells us about the difference that has made for her