Lyn Glass, a former chair of Poole Arts Trust – the charity responsible for running Lighthouse – has generously offered to match-fund donations of up to £2500 for Poole Pride this year. Lyn is a long standing and passionate supporter of Lighthouse, not to mention a major donor, and we are hugely grateful for her continuing generosity and enthusiasm for our work.
A committed Lighthouse Best Friend, in this special interview she explains why…
Why did you first start coming to Lighthouse and when?
When I stopped working in 1994, I discovered Lighthouse which in those days had a regular weekly touring theatre drama programme and offered a discount scheme when booking three or more shows if I remember rightly.
My husband sponsored one of the BSO violinists through his company Lloyds Bowmaker, so we also came to most of the Wednesday BSO concerts and we also attended quite a lot of the cinema showings.
With my friends from a local ladies’ luncheon club we set up a ladies’ cinema club where I picked the film with the cinema manager and about 30 of us would attend a private showing in the morning before going out for lunch.
What do you enjoy/value most about coming here?
I’ve seen some marvellous theatre, cinema, live music and comedians at Lighthouse, and find the venue so comfortable and inviting with excellent views of the stages. My favourite entertainment these days is Coastal Comedy with three comedians all coming from a slightly different angle, plus the lovely Adrienne Coles, the host/organiser and a comedian in her own right. I usually attend with a couple of girlfriends.
Then, Live & Unheard is always worth a visit if I’m free. It’s good to see local musicians supported, plus there’s a nice area for a snack before the show and a convenient bar – it’s good to be able to take a glass of wine into the show.
What best experiences/memories have you had here?
In terms of the programme, it’s just the whole package, but of course, my number one biggest memory is when I hosted Her Majesty The Queen on a visit to Poole in 2004. I had been invited to join the Board of Poole Arts Trust in 2000 and went on to become Chair at about the time that Poole Arts Centre reopened as Lighthouse after a refurbishment.
The then Chief Executive suggested we get in touch with the Palace to ask if there was any chance The Queen would be prepared to conduct the reopening ceremony as she had attended when Poole Arts Centre first opened in the 1970s. When the actuaries responded they said that she would like to take the opportunity to visit Poole area again as she hadn’t been that way for a long time and would visit other charities in the area. However, because she had a bit of a hip problem, rather than her move around to different venues they would install her and Prince Philip at Lighthouse for the day where representatives from other organisations would come to her.
I was her host for the day and in the morning she met one group and saw a performance from a local school group. There was lunch with other groups and an afternoon performance by the BSO. It was an amazing day and she and Phillip were so easy and natural to chat with.
How have you supported Lighthouse; and why?
When you the Friends membership scheme was first introduced I was delighted to join up as I had previously supported a couple of other projects. Lighthouse is a nicely contained venue with a diverse programme and, most importantly, there are a number of schemes you have to help and support folk who have financial or medical or other issues to attend your events. I do think that whatever one’s difficulties in life getting out to live shows and experiencing them in an audience with other folk is very healthy. Your programme should be available on the NHS really!
Why have you decided to support Poole Pride this year?
Diversity is one of Lighthouse’s strengths. Looking back in history to the old days of much homophobia I think it is good to celebrate our differences and try to see views of life from different angles. It enriches our lives and also helps support any folk who have experienced negativity because of who they are.
What difference do you know/think you make to what we do?
I just like to demonstrate my support. I see what you do and it is very satisfying to know that I am personally contributing to that.
Why should others help support our work?
Seeing how well Lighthouse delivers its diverse programme locally and gets to folk whose lives are improved by their attendance at your various events is very satisfying personally. I would always recommend support to people who live this way as it is so good to see the real difference it makes to local residents rather than supporting some national charity.
:: To find out more about Lighthouse Friends and ways to support Lighthouse and its work, visit https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/support-us/
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