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Friend Volunteers
Friends of the Grand
Many people ask to assist the theatre in some way. The Friends of The Grand membership includes 150+ active volunteers. They enjoy helping us in many ways. The work is very rewarding and also provides volunteers with a heightened sense of belonging to the Grand Theatre.
Friends of the Grand Committee
John Buck – Chairman
Alan Sears FCA – Treasurer
Christine Watkins – Secretary
Kevin Bennett
Ken Bowe
John Grady
Chris Mason
Geraldine Porter
Ann Royle
Offering a warm welcome to theatregoers, Friends’ volunteers assist front of house, selling programmes, tea, coffee, and bottled water and generally assisting the ushers. The volunteer Friends work as part of a weekly-team on matinees or designated evening shows.
We also have a Friends Publicity Team which meets regularly on Thursdays to help with coordinating mailings, gathering promotional and publicity material or just helping promote shows by arranging poster and leaflet distribution to shops and venues. This is great for the theatre and also gives an opportunity for morning coffee and chat about theatre events at the same time!
If you think you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the Friends’ office on 01253 743300 or use the contact form.
Here is what some of our current Volunteers have to say:
“I travel 120 miles each time I volunteer at Blackpool Grand. Why? Well I want this beautiful theatre to be around forever. Personally, it has given me valuable experience that I have been able to get paid work from at other theatres; from the Friends of the Grand to the top management there is a great team of people here who have become friends; I get the opportunity to see shows and meet celebrities that would otherwise be beyond me; and I am training to be an Audio Describer for the Blind with sponsorship from the theatre. So many theatres nowadays are impersonal, I always say "Thank you and goodnight" to the theatregoers as they leave so they are left with a friendly impression. It sums up what I think going to the Grand theatre is all about... a good night out in good company with a variety of shows on offer so you can return again to be amongst friends. And being a Friend of the Grand volunteer is the same. Any time given via Friends of the Grand helps the theatre to keep going. I would strongly recommend you join"
- Irene Ryan from the Wirral, Merseyside
“The theatre was a Life-Saver to me and my wife after retiring from a very busy business and wondering what to do next. After 26 years of voluntary work we are just as keen, although it has been curtailed slightly through ill health. We have formed long term friendships over the years with fellow volunteers.”
- Joe and Gladys Howarth
"I just love it! It’s a lovely hobby coming to help in these beautiful surroundings with such a magical atmosphere. I enjoy meeting the patrons – some come so often you get to know them. The staff are very friendly too. Some people ask how much I get paid and are amazed when I say ‘nothing’ – I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t enjoy it."
- Connie Ward
The Grand Theatre thanks all those Friends who give their time freely to assist the Grand in its day to day operations. Our continued independence and survival is largely due to the magnificent contributions of volunteer time by the Friends of the Grand. Volunteers number over 100 out of the Friend’s membership of 3,300.
Volunteer Ann Royle: One of the friendly members of our coffee team.
