A keen sampler of the cornerHOUSE's broad artistic  programme since the noughties, Hilary gradually became involved as a volunteer behind the bar and as duty manager.

She was first co-opted as a trustee during her 8-year stint as a local councillor, stepping into the Chair's role in April 2026. Hilary likes to 'tread the boards' occasionally, and particularly enjoys taking a small part in the cornerHOUSE's own (justifiably renowned) panto; off-stage she is an environmental campaigner and cycling advocate.

Jeremy is a long-serving Trustee of the Douglas Centre Trust, which runs the cornerHOUSE theatre and community arts centre in Tolworth. He has chaired the meetings of the Trust for nearly fifteen years.

Jeremy was a councillor of the Royal Borough of Kingston for eight years and was Mayor of the borough from 2001 to 2002. Retired from a career in management, training and staff development and guidance, he has also spent a over two years as a volunteer management adviser in Pakistan, Tajikistan, Zambia and Malawi. Currently Jeremy is a member of and former president of the Rotary Club of Surbiton.

David has a degree in Drama & Theatre Arts and a PGCE specialising in drama. David began his career as a professional actor before turning his hand to writing, directing, and teaching. He ran a successful Youth Theatre, Kingston Junior Drama Company, at the cornerHOUSE from 2007 - 2020 and has also directed at the cornerHOUSE. 

He is currently Head of Drama at a school in Surrey. David considers himself fortunate to have had a career doing the three things he enjoys most: theatre, writing and teaching.

As the RHC, David liaises directly with our regular external companies and groups.

Phil Cooper is a journalist by profession and has been involved with the cornerHouse since its creation including a five-year stint as chair of the Trustees. He is a former Kingston councillor and chair of governors of Tolworth Junior School.

Phil is a community-appointed Trustee, the cornerHouse’s licensee and premises supervisor. He has appeared in many previous productions and for the last several years has written the script for the annual panto.

Jackie was persuaded to come to the cornerHOUSE to take a very small part in a oneACT play. Since then, she has helped both front of house and  back stage as well as attempting to direct pantomimes. As a former school teacher and occasional costume mistress, Jackie makes no claims to creativity but just loves being involved in all things cornerHOUSE.

In 2012 Nicky took over organising and curating the exhibitions. In addition, she became the Events Coordinator, developing a range of regular and one-off events including poetry, literary events for adults and children, guest speakers and workshops etc. 

Nicky also helps to develop the infrastructure to support  the operational aspects of the cH. She is a member of the Artistic Team and a regular Duty Manager volunteer. 

Over the last few years, she has been the producer for the panto and developed a keen interest in puppetry.

In March 2025 she was awarded the Mayor’s Award for her services to the community.

Anna was Treasurer for some years in the early 2000s and

is delighted to return to the role in a much busier cornerHOUSE. She has always been a keen supporter of events at the cornerHOUSE.

She has never trodden the boards, but enjoys attending events and publicising these amongst her friends in Surbiton and beyond. She has worked as a volunteer at events for many years when well enough to do so.

Ian has been a supporter of this community arts centre since its inception in 1995 and a Trustee since 2010. He is an appointed Trustee by St Matthew's church and has chaired the Trust and its Internal Team during his appointment. He has appeared in numerous pantos, had one-act plays staged, and generally helps out!

Chika currently works in the IBM UK Public Sector consulting business with Central Government Organisations to modernise processes/systems and drive a better experience for UK citizens who access public Services.

Chika was appointed a Trustee by St Matthew's church at the end of 2023. She enjoys films and comedy nights. As a more recent Trustee appointment, she is looking forward to applying her strategic and continuous improvement skills to help the cH achieve its objectives.

Living locally, Barbara has been volunteering at The Cornerhouse for many years. Her current role is as minute-taker of the Trust meetings and as a member of a committee which looks after the fabric of the building, coordinates volunteer support and aims to provide comfort and safety to visitors and volunteers.

Never to be found on a stage, Barbara is much happier to support those who like to do so!

Andy has been a supporter of this community arts centre since becoming a Trustee appointed by St Matthew’s church some 15 years ago.

His main area of activity has been in a maintenance role and he has a technical background having worked for BT as a Satellite Systems engineer. He has also taken on the responsibility of managing the cornerHOUSE bar.

Stuart has been Diary Co-Ordinator and a member of the Artistic Team at the cornerHOUSE since October 2023. The role of Diary Co-ordinator involves liaison with both existing and potential hirers, to ensure that the cornerHOUSE fulfils its remit as a community arts centre showcasing a broad range of artistic activities, and also with key cornerHOUSE volunteers. 

Stuart particularly enjoys the monthly Folk@thecornerHOUSE evenings, and is happy to help at the bar … but he is most reluctant to step on the cornerHOUSE stage! 

Joan had a career as a Dietitian in the NHS and is a mother of three adult children. She was appointed a Trustee by St Matthew's church in 2014.

Joan is very busy at the cornerHOUSE and involved in many aspects, including being a member of the Artistic Team. She is the secretary of the Film Club and the coordinator of Singalong, which is an inclusive singing group primarily for people living with dementia. She can also regularly be found volunteering at the bar and the box office.