Location: The Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford GU1 4LH Time Commitment: Event evenings, typically Friday or Saturday, approx. 6pm – 10pm
About the role
We are looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to support our Music Lounge events. These evenings showcase live music in an intimate and welcoming setting, and volunteers play a key role in ensuring both artists and audiences have a great experience.
Allison Neale TrioReg MeurossSuntou Susso
Key Responsibilities
Welcome and assist artists on arrival
Support with basic event set-up (seating, equipment positioning, general preparation of the room)
Artist liaison, ensuring performers are comfortable and have what they need
Help run the bar before the event and during the interval (serving a variety of hot and cold drinks, handling payments)
Greet audience members as they arrive and help create a warm and inclusive atmosphere
Help promote future events by sharing information with attendees
Technical Support (optional)
We are also keen to hear from volunteers with some technical knowledge who can assist with:
Setting up basic sound equipment (PA system, microphones, cables)
Supporting sound checks with artists
Troubleshooting minor technical issues before and during the event
What we are looking for
A friendly and approachable manner
Good communication skills
Reliable and punctual
Ability to work as part of a team
Willingness to get involved and help where needed
What will you gain
Experience supporting live events and performances
Opportunity to meet the artists and be part of a creative community
A sociable and enjoyable volunteering experience
Additional information
Events typically start at 7.30pm and finish by 10pm at the latest
Volunteers are asked to arrive at 6.00pm to assist with preparations and artist arrival
Volunteers assisting with bar service must be aged 18 or over
If you are interested in getting involved in our music nights, we would love to hear from you. Please email info@guildford-institute.org.uk for more information.
Join our friendly organisation and help us grow awareness of our charity, promote sales and increase audience engagement. We’re looking to recruit a Marketing & Communications Officer (maternity cover) to create engaging, high-quality, visual, and written marketing materials.
The Guildford Institute buildingVisiting our historic LibraryCreative workshopAfternoon talk
What is The Guildford Institute?
We are an educational and community charity offering a varied programme of activities, room hire facilities, a vegetarian café, and a historic library and archive, all based in our Grade II listed premises in central Guildford.
What Can We Offer You?
Some of the key benefits of working with us include:
• A small, friendly, supportive team environment • A varied job role with lots of opportunities for creativity and personal input • Training & professional development opportunities • Flexibility with how the 30 hours of the role are divided across the week • Engagement with a wide range of community members • A generous annual leave allowance • A central Guildford location
About the Role
The Marketing & Communications Officer will be passionate about the Institute’s aims of providing cultural and social opportunities for the local community.
The points below identify some of the post-holder’s core areas of responsibility:
• Contribute to the development and delivery of an integrated brand, marketing & campaigns strategy, ensuring consistent and innovative marketing across all channels • Lead digital marketing activity, including social media management, website updates, SEO best practice, blog posts and paid advertising • Support brochure production, including proofreading, layout input, and coordinating distribution • Manage internal and external communications, including press liaison, advertising schedules, press releases, and internal displays • Design a variety of marketing materials for external and internal use • Maintain stakeholder engagement, supporting membership queries, managing donor communications, and updating mailing lists • Build partnerships and support promotional outreach to raise awareness of the Institute’s offer
What We Seek in You
• A passion for and commitment to the aims and the work of the Institute • An enthusiasm to build on and promote the Institute’s programme of activities • Previous marketing and communications experience • Excellent written skills • Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines • Excellent attention to detail • Strong interpersonal and customer service skills • A flexible, adaptable approach is essential
Full Person Specification details can be found within the Job Description.
The Guildford Institute welcomes applications from individuals from all sectors and backgrounds.
Key Information & Application Method
This maternity cover role is expected to last approximately 13 months. The position is for 30 hours across the week, primarily from our building in central Guildford.
Salary: £22,500 plus benefits (pro rata salary for 30 hours) (£28,125 FTE)
To apply, please send Amy Rice, Institute Manager (amy@guildford-institute.org.uk) a copy of your CV together with a short (1-page) covering letter highlighting why you would like to work for our charity plus how your skills and experience relate to this role.
Peter Gordon is a local favourite; an accomplished broadcaster and performer. Best known as the Content Director, voice and face of Eagle Radio, he hosted the station’s breakfast show for 25 years! Today, Peter remains a big part of the Guildford community – hosting local events, performing in Yvonne Arnaud’s panto and doing his radio show on BBC Surrey.
Ahead of Peter’s event with us on 18 March, we caught up to find out about his broadcasting career, love of local radio, acting highlights and future plans!
How did you get into radio/broadcasting – is it something you always wanted to do?
I was always fascinated with radio as a medium – I used to listen to Terry Wogan with my parents in the 70s and loved his art of interaction. I always think radio – especially live radio – is a clever medium, it demands intelligence to a certain extent.
What do you enjoy most about local radio?
The fact that, if done properly, local radio can make a difference. Listeners are generally very loyal and can also determine pretty quickly if – in local radio – you’re the ‘real thing’. Stations pretending to be local get found out.
What’s most challenging about hosting a radio show?
For me it was just about concentration and knowing which buttons to push – once that was sorted out, it was always a pleasure!
You’ve had an impressive and long career – have there been any particular highlights?
Many – co-hosting with Dame Edna Everidge, broadcasting from St Lucia and America, meeting everyone from Paul Weller to Sting and, to be honest, to be able to do a breakfast radio show in the town I grew up in for so many years. Just a privilege and a delight.
Alongside broadcasting, you’re also an actor – can you tell us about any memorable moments?
I’ve loved all the pantomimes I’ve been in (Woking and Guildford) but also particularly enjoyed playing Falstaff in Guildford Shakespeare Company’s Merry Wives of Windsor at the Guildford Model Railway site in Stoke Park. A very special production where we all arrived on one of the trains!
Reading the news at Star FM in 1993
Peter at Eagle Radio
Performing in panto!
Eagle Radio was a daily staple for many of us – can you tell us something about the station that people might not know?
We were a commercial radio station with a community heart – we existed to make a difference, if we could. One of our mantras (which we all signed up to) was: “We’re in the business of radio, but what we do is change people’s lives”. That was a big statement, but it drove us.
Have you got any exciting projects coming up that you can tell us about?
I am a very lucky chap really, as these days I pretty much choose what I do – there’s still some radio (BBC Surrey and V2 Radio in Sussex), but I also get to host events like Guilfest and Henley Festival alongside several others. Plus, I am hoping to be treading the boards once again in the town later this year!
What can people expect at your upcoming Q&A event with us on 18 March?
Hopefully some fun and laughter alongside thoughts and opinions of Guildford and its surrounds, including memories and stories.
If you’d like to hear more from Peter, join us for our special event with him on 18 March where you can enjoy a glass of wine, savoury snack and a light-hearted Q&A. A great opportunity to ask your questions of the man himself!
We have launched our new April to September programme, which is packed full with 140 activities – choose from courses, talks, music nights, visits, film screenings and more!
There is something for everyone, with over 100courses on offer, ranging from art history and visual arts to languages and music appreciation. Learn something new with 21fascinating afternoon talks, explore new places with 3coach visits and be entertained with 9exciting events.
Welcome the arrival of spring with aflower arranging workshop! Join Cynthia Bromwich, Chair of Guildford Flower Club, and craft two beautiful spring bouquets to take home.
Wine tasting returns to the programme, led by wine educator Charlie Goblet D’Alviella who has over 25 years of experience. First up, enjoy sampling wonderful wines handpicked for summer. Then as autumn approaches, discover a match made in heaven – cheese and wine – and how to create the perfect pairing!
Unwind at a new, gentle yoga class for beginners; through movement, breath and guided practices, build self-awareness, clarity and emotional balance.
Get creative with the opportunity to paint your own pottery with Carol Clutton from Popolo Ceramico. Perfect for all ages – from 4 to 100! Experiment with unique materials at two abstract art workshops with Aska Gough; create a dazzling geode masterpiece using crystals, minerals and more, or make your very own mixed media and resin coasters! For those who prefer more traditional art forms, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at a still life drawing workshopwith Kate Alger.
Our intimate Music Lounge will continue to host regular weekend performances. CatchPolly Morris, a whirlwind of entertainment who performs laugh-out-loud funny and parody songs but also heartbreakingly poignant songs. Barb Jungr, one of the most extraordinary British performers of her generation, will sing Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen, accompanied by Simon Wallace. Our music events are kindly sponsored by Andertons Music.
Step back in time with Guildford rock ‘n’ roll music legends Mick Douglas and John Kelly, along with fellow musician and local history expert David Rose, for another concert of classic songs from the 1950s and 60s. Join Jane Glennie, actress and historian, for an entertaining afternoon at her‘tea party’, as she humorously addresses etiquette during the end of rationing in 1953.
Amy Rice, Institute Manager, says: “If you haven’t visited our welcoming community hub, now is the perfect time! Our new programme is full of variety, with shorter and longer activities available, taking place during the day, evening and weekends. Feel inspired to try something new and meet other like-minded individuals”.
Local abstract artist Pilita Bryant is the Institute’s brochure cover artist with her stunning work Garden Jewels. Inspired by her emotional response to the world, Pilita’s intuitive work blurs the boundaries between abstraction and realism.
Garden Jewels by Pilita Bryant
The Institute’s programme is generously sponsored by Experience Guildford and will run from 7 April to 30 September 2026. Advance booking for all paid Institute activities is essential. View our digital brochure or pick up a copy from the building.
Meet our cover artist, Aska Gough, who creates stunning mixed media and sensory art. Based in Surrey, Aska is inspired by nature and the multi-sensory experience it offers meaning materials and textures are at the heart of her practice. These can be as varied as tree bark, crystals and stones! If you love Aska’s striking artwork and are inspired to create your own, she will be running two workshops as part of our October to March programme. Find out more about Aska, how inclusivity forms an essential part of her artistic practice, exciting upcoming projects and more!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became an artist?
I’m a self-taught artist who has always loved making things, though for a long time I didn’t have the chance or perhaps the right moment to truly dive in. About six years ago, I began shaping my artistic style, at first as a way to nurture my wellbeing and reconnect with myself. What started as a gentle practice soon became a flood of creativity, pouring out faster than I could contain it, becoming a central part of my life.
In 2024 I chose to leave my job as a lecturer in translation studies at the University of Surrey and step fully into art. But research continues to shape what I do, especially in relation to multisensory perception, language and accessibility.
Inclusivity is really important to me. I believe everyone can be creative, and I want to make people feel that art is for them, whether it is their very first time, whether they are blind or neurodivergent, or whether they are returning to art after a break.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
We live in a world that often puts vision first, treating it as the main way we learn and experience things. But when sight dominates, it can overshadow other senses that also shape how we feel and connect. My inspiration comes less from what I see and more from what I sense and experience in a physical, embodied way. While my work may be visually striking, it is these non-visual encounters that inspire me most. This is why materials and textures are at the centre of my practice. I want my art to be engaging beyond what you see. Yes, it should catch the eye, but also invite touch and carry an energy and symbolism that people can feel.
I live on Prey Heath, and my daily walks through the woodland and heathland nourish both my soul and my studio. Bark, twigs, leaves and pine cones become my materials and my treasures. Visiting my stone supplier is another source of joy and inspiration. Surrounded by tonnes of glittering minerals and vibrant crystals, some raw with rough edges, others polished to a luminous shine, I feel like a child in a candy store and always leave recharged and full of ideas.
Your work uses unique materials like crystals and tree bark. How did that begin?
I feel grounded and restored when I am out in nature, which is why I am drawn to elements like bark, stones and crystals. At first I would collect simple pebbles on holidays, but as time went on and budget allowed, I began exploring crystals and more precious varieties. I also started to experiment with how these materials could live within my art, and they soon became central to my practice. Stones and bark feel like good metaphors. Stones carry the memory of the Earth, while bark holds the life force of the tree. Both can be durable and fragile at once, and both offer a deep sense of grounding. Crystals in particular fascinate me for their subtle energetic properties. Some seem to radiate energy, others appear to absorb it, and their symbolism can give people exactly what they need on an intuitive level.
Has your work changed since you first started?
Definitely. I first began experimenting with epoxy resin and different pigments, fascinated by the way colours shift within it and by the depth it creates, hiding and revealing little secrets as the light changes. Resin still fascinates me, but over time I felt the need to move beyond it and allow it to become one texture among many. That is when I started introducing the roughness of stone, bark and other earthy materials, contrasting them with the smoothness of resin or polished pebbles. More recently I have been exploring collage and a wider range of tactile surfaces, and I would like to introduce materials that feel soft and spongy, as well as plush and velvety. Overall, I am moving towards work that explicitly invites touch, enhancing the experience of art for people including neurodivergent, blind and visually impaired audiences.
Your stunning work, Arabian Nights, is our brochure cover. What inspired it?
Arabian Nights began as I poured leftover resin onto a canvas. As the colours blended and music played in the background, I was transported back to memories of visiting Marrakech and to the stories of One Thousand and One Nights that I loved as a child – tales of Aladdin, Scheherazade and enchanted worlds. Growing up in Communist Poland often felt like living in a black and white movie, so the vivid colours, fragrant spices and flowing silks I imagined seemed even more magical. With those memories stirring, the piece seemed to shape itself, as if it already knew what it wanted to become. For me, listening to the quiet cues of the body and the echoes of memory is essential, because when I do, the work often finds its own direction.
You’re running two mixed-media and resin workshops with us. What can students expect?
A relaxed atmosphere and pure exploration. There’s no right or wrong, just intuitive play. I’ll cover the technical bits, safety and materials, and I’ll guide you as much as you need. We might start with a short grounding or mini-meditation to notice what you want to express that day: colours, shapes, textures, moods, feelings, emotions. The goal is to let go of expectations and see what naturally emerges. Flexibility and an open, explorative mind are key.
Do you have a favourite artist or movement?
This is always hard because there are so many artists I’ve yet to discover. I love Gustav Klimt for his sensuous surfaces and the tactile illusion of richness he created. Generally, I’m drawn to abstract, textured work and innovative techniques. Artists like Sam Peacock, who works with non-traditional paints, varnishes and raw materials on rusty steel, and Peter Hayes, who blends river-weathered ceramics with resin, really inspire me. My favourite movement is Abstract Expressionism because it focuses on the process and the embodied nature of art-making. It emphasises spontaneous, intuitive creation and the physical act of painting as a direct expression of emotion and the body, which resonates with the way I approach the creative process.
What are you working on now? Do you have any upcoming projects?
I’m currently developing a new series called Noumenon, inspired by Kant’s idea of the “thing in itself”. It points to the reality of things as they exist beyond us, which we can never fully know because our senses only let us grasp part of the picture. For example, we only see a narrow band of light wavelengths and detect a limited range of sounds and smells, so what we perceive is just a fraction of what is really there. Working with crystalline minerals, tree bark and resin, I’m exploring how materials carry both a visible surface and an unseen essence, hinting at the layers of reality we cannot fully grasp. The series will culminate in an exhibition where audiences can engage through sight, touch and resonant soundscapes of gongs, chimes, singing bowls and drums.
Alongside this, I’m planning to develop workshops with and for visually impaired people and expand my knowledge of minerals and how touch shapes our experience of art. My research background in linguistics also informs a project on inclusive, AI-supported audio description. It aims to use multi-voice input from artists, curators, sighted and blind viewers to generate dynamic descriptions tailored to different needs and perspectives. I’m also active in community projects with Guildford Arts and Lockwood Studios, so there is a lot to do and exciting times ahead! I’m looking forward to my upcoming workshops at The Guildford Institute.
If you’re feeling inspired to create your own multi-sensory artwork, check out Aska’s workshops below – no experience required!
Here at the GI, we strive to provide the highest quality teaching, with lots of different activities to choose from. Our fantastic tutors enable us to do this! Meet essential oil specialist Rebecca Francis, who will be teaching essential oils courses. She has been sharing her knowledge of essential oils in an accessible, fun and hands-on way for twenty years! If you’re looking to take time for your wellbeing and are keen to learn about one of nature’s best remedies, keep on reading!
Tell us about yourself and your background. How did you get into aromatherapy?
I’ve always had a passion for natural wellness. My background is in learning, development and training and I am so happy to be able to share my two greatest passions – natural health and wellbeing and helping others to learn about this fascinating subject and benefitting from feeling better.
I was introduced to aromatherapy when a friend of mine called me up and said ‘What do you know about essential oils?’ This was back in 2002 and my answer was ‘Absolutely nothing!’ My friend came and did an essential oils workshop at my home – I invited friends and family not thinking anyone would be interested and 10 people came who all knew way more about the subject than I did! Think I was last to the party!
I then became hooked – I was amazed at how a few drops of essential oil could uplift my mood, calm my mind, and help me sleep better. That experience sparked a deep curiosity, and I began my lifelong journey with essential oils. My mantra is now: what oil could I use? This has become a huge part of both my personal life and professional journey.
For anyone who’s not familiar with essential oils, could you explain what they are and their benefits?
Essential oils are highly concentrated natural extracts from plants—usually taken from the leaves, flowers, bark, or roots. They capture the plant’s scent and therapeutic properties. People have used them for thousands of years to support physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Depending on the oil, they can help with anything from relaxation and sleep, to boosting energy, improving focus, supporting the immune system, and even natural skincare. They’re a simple but powerful tool for everyday wellness.
What are some of your favourite ways to use essential oils?
I love diffusing oils throughout the day—especially citrus oils in the morning to energise and uplift, and calming oils like lavender or frankincense in the evening to unwind. I also use them topically in roller blends for stress or tension, and in DIY products like natural cleaning sprays. One of my favourite rituals is adding a few drops of essential oil to my bath with Epsom salts—it’s the ultimate relaxation!
What inspired you to start your aromatherapy courses?
So many people would ask me, “How do I use these oils safely?” or “What oils should I use for sleep/stress/energy?”. I realised there was a real need for simple, accessible education around essential oils. I wanted to help others feel confident using them and to experience the same transformation I did. Creating my courses has allowed me to share that knowledge in a fun, hands-on, and empowering way.
Can you tell us an interesting fact about essential oils that might surprise people?
Absolutely! One surprising fact is that it takes around 60 roses to make just one drop of pure rose essential oil. That gives you an idea of how potent and precious these oils really are. It’s also why quality matters so much—genuine essential oils are incredibly concentrated and powerful, so sourcing and purity make a huge difference.
You’ll be running your Essential Oils 101 day course in August – what can students look forward to and do they need to have any essential oils knowledge?
My Essential Oils 101 course is designed for beginners, so no prior knowledge is needed at all—just curiosity! You’ll learn how to use oils safely and effectively, which oils to use for common everyday needs (like sleep, stress, energy, or immune support), and some great DIY recipes you can start using right away. It’s a fun, interactive day with lots of practical tips, demos, and the chance to experience the oils for yourself. My aim is that everyone leaves feeling inspired and confident to use essential oils in their own life.
If your curiosity on essential oils has been piqued, join Rebecca for her welcoming Essential Oils 101 course on Friday 8 August. Enjoy an engaging and interactive day, learning how to use plant power for everyday wellness!
Meet one of our newest tutors, professional interior designer Debby Thurston. Having had a varied career working on projects ranging from hotels to listed buildings, Debby currently works as a consultant, on personal projects and lectures. When teaching, she focuses on designs for the everyday home – prioritising budget and practicalities – that ooze individual style.
Tell us about yourself and your background. How did you get into interior design?
Leaving school with just A Levels and no career direction, and then marrying at 21, meant making money, to help support the family, was a priority. Whilst working with interior designers, to set up a shop on the Kings Road, I discovered a really interesting and growing profession that combined my interests in DIY, furnishings and property.
I quickly realised that to succeed, especially in the commercial market, needed good qualifications and I took out a career development loan to study full time at KLC, College of Interior Design. I sold my car and took in a lodger to help finance my studies. I was the only mature student with children and a house to manage, alongside the very demanding course.
I gained honours graduating in 1988 but there was limited work. I needed an income and took on anything I could, working with architects and other interior practices part time for experience. I was also engaged to assist students at the college (KLC) which developed into running courses and lecturing.
Once on my career path, I realised the challenge of working on hotels, retail and hairdressers far more exciting and demanding in standards of creative design. Answering to a brief and the satisfaction of delivering to a team, suited my personal style and talents. However, I saw first-hand how much design success, rested on the build implementation and went back to UCL, (Bartlette Institution) to do an Msc in Construction Refurbishment Management, which gave me a unique qualification. I expanded my projects to include top end domestic, ecclesiastical work, ski chalets, listed buildings in the UK and Dublin and developed my lecturing. It was varied, dynamic and eventually fruitful.
What are your favourite interior design styles and how do you operate?
I don’t have a favourite historical period and have no set style, as I answer to a client’s brief, researching and working with them to achieve their ideals. The decoration and functionality should be designed together. Budget plays a major role, particularly today, with rising costs in labour and materials. Breaking a project into manageable chunks, allows better management and flexibility, as long as there is a defined concept that steers the developing path.
What do you hope students will get out of your courses?
As a lecturer, I explain how to put a decorative scheme together that works with existing items bringing new life to an interior. Good ergonomics and space awareness is based working with a floor plan ‘to scale’. Lighting and colour can be confusing using today’s current technology and needs testing and researching. I explain how to produce a brief and specification, obtaining realistic budgets to help working with your builders and staying in control as a client.
I want people to feel confident they have achieved the best possible for their money that gives longevity, delivers flexibility and enhances their lifestyle. Your interior should ooze your personality and style and serve as retreat from the everyday but open up for a party and family and not just bow to fashion or favoured set styles.
For anyone starting their interior design journey, here are Debby’s myth busters and top tips…
Interior Design Myths
Interior Design is marketed as image being the only goal with limitless money, but I believe in achieving beautiful but workable solutions with the best value for money. Interior decoration and interior design are quite different and often confused. One is more soft furnishings orientated and the other more three dimensional plus décor and similar to architecture. My preferred styles are contemporary biased.
Tips for those starting on a project
My approach and advice is always to take time with the design and prepare before asking a builder for a quote! Attempting a whole house makeover is very complex especially if combined with structural alterations, requiring all the regulations and needs good planning, the right team and realistic budgets. There are always surprises, but minimising ‘extras’ means preparation, although refurbishment is particularly challenging and contingency a ‘must have’.
I am very much looking forward to working at the Guildford Institute, with a new course, some key lectures, giving inspiration and knowledge on Interior Design.
So, if you’d like to boost your interior design confidence and know-how, in a practical and accessible way, Debby’s upcoming courses are perfect for you!
We began our Open Mic Nights in October 2023. Having held our fourth event last month, we have welcomed many performers from near and far including singers, poets and comedians! These evenings have become a staple in our events programme – bringing the community together, celebrating creativity and providing a welcoming space for anyone to perform. Whether you’re interested in watching our next Open Mic or taking to the stage, find out what makes them so special.
Celebrating Creativity at Open Mic Nights at The Guildford Institute
There’s something magical about the connection between art and community, and nowhere is that more evident than at our Open Mic Nights. These events are not just about performance; they’re a celebration of creativity, passion, and the unique stories that each individual brings to the stage.
A Gathering of Like-minded Individuals
Every Open Mic Night brings together individuals from all walks of life but each participant shares a common thread—a love for artistic expression and a desire to connect. Whether you’re a budding songwriter, a seasoned performer, or someone simply looking to share a heartfelt poem, there’s a place for you here.
Professional musician Saiichi Sugiyama
The Power of Sharing
At the GI Open Mics, sharing your art is as simple as taking the mic and expressing yourself. A soloist accompanied by a squeaky duck, the velvety tones of a soulful vocalist, an eco-warrior duo performing an inspiring song, or an elderly lady sharing her beautiful poetry (as enjoyed at our event on Saturday 31st May) each contribution is met with warmth and enthusiasm. This openness brings a genuine connection among performers and the audience alike, reminding us of the power of art to bridge gaps and bring people together.
Belinda from Wey Poets
Kindness and Support Above All
One of the standout features of the Open Mic Nights is the unmistakable sense of kindness and support that fills the room. There is no competition, this community thrives on encouragement. Every performance is celebrated, and the audience’s support resonates with meaningful applause and cheers. This is a safe space to express oneself without fear of judgment, and where encouragement replaces critique.
A True Community Event
At its heart the Open Mic Nights are all about community with a focus on celebrating creativity, connection and joy within the local arts scene. These events are not about making money; they’re run by volunteers including trustees and staff who enjoy providing a supportive space for anyone to express themselves.
Nature warrior duo The Lurxx
Open Mic Nights at the GI are more than mere performances; they demonstrate the power of community and creativity. They provide a platform for individuals to share their passions, support one another, and celebrate a diverse range of talent.
So, whether you’re a performer or an audience member, join us for an evening of inspiration, laughter, and shared experience – it’s a celebration of what it means to be creative and we would love to see you there! Our next Open Mic Night is on: TBA.
Our volunteers make a big difference to our small charity. Simply put, we couldn’t do it without them! Being a busy community building, we have volunteers helping us with anything and everything – from running the library, supervising our visits, assisting with events and working on Reception.
This Volunteers’ Week, we want to shine a spotlight on some of our dedicated volunteers and all that they do to support us. Hear from our wonderful volunteers Viv, Becca and Rob as they share their stories and experiences volunteering at the GI.
Viv Crawshaw, Library Volunteer
Viv has been volunteering in our Library for an incredible 10 years. Alongside this, she is also an artist and creates stunning cards which are available to purchase at Reception, with all proceeds going to the GI.
“I have been volunteering at the GI library for 10 years. I worked for 13 years at Oxford University before moving to Surrey in 1996, 9 of which were spent as a Library Assistant in the Hooke undergraduate lending library, part of the Bodleian Library. I loved working there plus have always been a regular library user myself, so when a volunteer position at the GI library was suggested to me I was very happy to join the team. I enjoy meeting the public, undertaking general library duties including processing new books, cataloguing a historic archive and, most of all, simply appreciate spending time in the beautiful old library which all are welcome to join and enjoy.
I have been making art in one way or another for as long as I can remember; attended a life drawing class for 10 years, and several varied art courses over the years, mostly at the St Ives School of Painting, exhibiting both in Oxford and Guildford in the past. I have tried several versions of printmaking; linocut, drypoint, collograph, screen printing but for the last few years have preferred monoprinting on glass, board and, latterly, gelli plates. Monoprinting is a technique where a unique print is created, and cannot be repeated. I prefer to work with leaves or stems using multiple layers of water based acrylics but also use stencils and objects to create texture and interest. A large number of prints never make it onto cards but can be used for collage work in sketch books. Monoprinting is addictive so I found cardmaking as an outlet to fulfill my needs and decided to offer them for sale in aid of charities. I have been donating my cards to the GI for about two years, suggesting keeping sale prices low to encourage sales.
I am also continuing to work on biological ecoprinting, started last year. The process involves bundling plant materials together between sheets of paper, then steaming or boiling the bundle to transfer the colour and patterns from the plants to the paper. The resulting monoprints can be used for card making. If successful I will be donating some of these for sale at the GI”.
Becca Tompkins, Communications and Engagement Intern
Becca is one of our newer volunteers but has already become an essential part of the team. As our Communications and Engagement Intern, each week Becca greets and assists visitors at Reception, helps with our busy afternoon talks, as well as supporting us with tasks ranging from making website events to preparing invoices.
“I have been volunteering at the GI since February 2025, around 4 months and I do a few hours every week. In the time, I have met many lovely people, had many great laughs, and generally had the best time.
One main reason I started volunteering is to become more independent. I have volunteered at libraries and other charities but none like this one. The idea of helping the community and providing support where I can makes me want to do much more in the future.
There are many memorable moments, but the best ones are meeting regular users of the GI and catching up or seeing others who I’ve known from outside the GI and having that funny moment when you realise you know each other. I find the best moments are simply having a conversation or seeing a smile from someone, making their day better.
What I most like about volunteering is the environment; everyone is so welcoming and helpful. I also love working with the community and meeting the variety of people we have enter the building. The spreadsheets and website edits are also a fun bonus!
To anyone thinking about volunteering, I would say do it! It’s a great environment, enjoyable experience and worthwhile. It’s hard to find something I enjoy doing so much”.
Rob Durham, Library Volunteer
Rob has been volunteering with us for over 10 years. While primarily working in our Library, Rob goes above and beyond helping us with our talks, visits and just generally anything we need a hand with!
“When I retired, some thirteen years ago, I was looking for something to keep me out of trouble. I joined The Guildford Institute as I thought I might do one or two classes. Shortly afterwards an email appeared asking for volunteers to help pack up the library when the building was to be refurbished. I agreed to help and was hooked.
I am not the fastest of readers, and therefore not well read, but I love books. For me, working in the library is like being a kid in a sweet shop. Recently, someone came into the library who was researching the life of Cecil Rhodes. Had we anything on him? Apart from a book, in two volumes, on his life we had two other books with references to him. One dated from about 1890 had a title such as “The Men who made the British Empire.” I was amused to see that the book had not been lent out since 1915 but was still available for loan.
The Institute occasionally ask me to do other things to help. I enjoy volunteering at the Institute as I know what I do is really appreciated. I would recommend it to anyone”.
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know our volunteers. Whether you’re at the start of your career or are recently retired and interested in volunteering at the GI, we’d love to hear from you! Please visit our volunteers page for more information and to complete our enquiry form.
The Guildford Institute is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to serve as Chair of its Board of Trustees. This important role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a charity that has been a pivotal part of the community for over 130 years.
Based in our beautiful Grade II listed building since 1892, we provide the local community with accessible cultural education and opportunities to build meaningful connections with others.
We’re seeking a distinguished leader with the following qualities:
Leadership & Governance
Passion for the Arts, Education & Community
Strategic Thinking
Financial Acumen
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Play a vital role in guiding The Guildford Institute to continue to grow, secure its longevity and thrive.
Additional Documents:
Please read our Candidate Brief to find out more about us and the role of the Chair.
The Guildford Institute is looking to recruit a full-time Programme Manager as maternity cover to manage and administer our eclectic course programme, alongside our room hire offering.
What is The Guildford Institute and What Do We Offer?
The Guildford Institute is an educational, community charity based in Guildford town centre. On offer is a wide-ranging programme of events, room hire facilities, a vegetarian restaurant and a library complete with a historic archive. The Institute has operated from its Grade II listed premises for over 130 years.
Some of the key benefits of working at the Institute include:
The post-holder will work within a small, friendly team environment
Varied job role that provides opportunities for development and plenty of scope for original ideas and input
Ability to interact with a vast number of local community members
Generous annual leave allowance
Central Guildford location
Training & professional development opportunities provided
Key Responsibilities of the Post-holder
The Programme Manager will be passionate about the Institute’s aims of providing cultural and social opportunities for the local community.
The points below identify some of the post-holder’s core areas of responsibility:
Management and facilitation of the Institute’s courses. The post-holder will take responsibility for all aspects of planning and delivery of the main focus of the Institute’s adult education programme – the courses. This entails seeing courses through from concept, liaising with tutors, gathering and editing copy for publicity purposes, down to practical elements on the day of delivery. The post-holder will work to ensure the continuation of current courses, whilst also having the opportunity to add new courses to the programme in line with the organisation’s aims.
Management of the Institute’s room hire function and events diary. Holding responsibility for the Institute’s room hire bookings, the Programme Manager helps to bring in vital additional income for the organisation. In managing the Institute’s events diary, the post-holder has a hand in organising every activity that takes place within the building, as well as maintaining the important balance between the courses on offer and room hire options available to local businesses and community organisations.
The post-holder also carries line management responsibility for our small team of stewarding and caretaking staff.
What We Seek in You
A passion for and commitment to the aims and the work of the Institute and an enthusiasm to build on recent developments to the Institute’s programme
An ability to plan, prioritise and organise in order to meet competing deadlines
A keen attention to detail
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills in order to build up positive relationships with tutors, room hirers and regular clients
A flexible, adaptable approach is essential
Full Person Specification details can be found within the Job Description.
The Guildford Institute welcomes applications from individuals from all sectors and backgrounds.
Key Information & Application Method
This is a maternity cover position, which is expected to last approximately 12 months. It is hoped that the successful candidate would be available to start in April. This position is a full-time, office-based role.
Please view the Job Description for full details of the position.
Salary: £30,000 – £31,000 per year.
To apply, please send us a copy of your CV together with a short (1-page) covering letter highlighting why you’d like to work for our charity plus how your skills and experience relate to this role.
On Thursday 14 November 2024, The Guildford Institute celebrated the grand opening of its new Community and Wellbeing Centre, with the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, officially opening the facility.
The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE, and Institute Chairperson, Brian Creese officially opening the Community & Wellbeing Centre!
The Institute has transformed its vacant ground-floor space on North Street into an important community space that provides accessible mental health support services in the town centre. It offers a welcoming and safe environment, with professional therapists and counsellors operating from six bespoke rooms.
Brian Creese, Institute Chairperson, says: “We thought it was a much better idea to turn this vacant space into something that was going to be of much more benefit to the community [following the departure of RBS Bank] and in line with what we as a charity want to be”.
Brian with Baz from Brooklands Radio
For over 130 years, the Institute has been serving the local community from its Ward Street home by encouraging lifelong learning through its programme of activities, as well as providing social and wellbeing opportunities. People are at the heart of what the Institute do – it is always considering how it can best support the community – and that is what has inspired the Community & Wellbeing Centre to be built.
The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Sallie Barker MBE says: “I’m really delighted to be here to open this new facility at the Institute…having helped and supported our town for over 100 years, it is wonderful to see that it is adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of our community”.
Other notable individuals in attendance included Zoe Franklin, MP for Guildford, Councillor Vanessa King and former Councillor John Redpath.
Longstanding supporters of the Institute also joined the celebration, along with therapists and counsellors based at the centre.
Amy Rice, Institute Manager (centre), with GI supporters Viv and Tom
Brian Creese and Zoe Franklin
Counsellor Nathalie Skelton with Baz from Brooklands Radio
The Institute has used its charity reserves to fund building the Community and Wellbeing Centre, meaning that donations and fundraising continue to be essential. It hopes to carry out Phase II of the project in the future, which will connect the centre to the main part of the Institute and provide an accessible toilet.
The beautiful artwork that fills the walls has kindly been donated by local artist Becca Clegg.
We have launched our latest programme packed full of courses, talks and events on offer from January to March. Get your 2025 off to a flying start with opportunities to learn, get creative, be entertained and more! Plus, every booking supports our small charity.
Floating Universe by Lena Bruce
Experience the magic of cinema with our new afternoon film screenings. First up is the classic musical treasure Singing in the Rain, complete with refreshments. For anyone who loves live music, enjoy an evening seeing Tristan Seume, one of the UK’s leading acoustic guitarists. Expect a mix of handcrafted originals with beautiful interpretations of traditional and contemporary tunes.
The New Year is the perfect opportunity to take time for your wellbeing. Start the week with Tai Chi, an energising moving meditation – choose from Beginners Tai Chi or Qigong Energy Flow. Unwind with a relaxing Beginners Yoga course or, for those with some experience, Gentle Yoga.
Get creative with a variety of art and crafts workshops, catering for complete beginners to those with more experience. Take part in a welcoming Watercolour Taster Workshop, learn how to paint an impressive abstract landscape, or create colourful crochet flowers.
Amy Rice, Institute Manager, says: “If you haven’t visited our unique building, the New Year is the perfect time! Whether you’re looking to revisit a much-loved hobby, try something new, or meet likeminded people, we’ve created our programme for everyone. Booking on to an activity is also a great way to support our charity, which we need more than ever”.
Local photographer Lena Bruce is our brochure cover artist, with her striking work Floating Universe. She is a landscape and seascape photographer inspired by the finer details of the natural world.
Our programme will run from 6 January to 28 March 2025. Advance booking for all paid activities is essential. View our digital brochure or pick up a copy from the building.
We are transforming our ground floor space into the GI Community & Wellbeing Centre, to provide essential mental health support services in the heart of Guildford. Our new centre will include purpose-built consulting/community rooms available to rent from September 2024.
This is an exciting opportunity to establish your wellbeing business in a prime, town-centre location. Spaces range from 7 to 14 square metres, with prices starting at £338 per month up to £676 per month depending on size. Ideal for individuals, groups or small businesses.
For further information, and to apply for a room, please contact Amy Rice (amy@guildford-institute.org.uk) or call us on 01483 562142.
Location:
• Prime, town-centre location • Convenient access to amenities, transport links, and local businesses
Office Space Features:
• Total area of 69 square metres • Rooms range in size from 7 to 14 square metres • Unfurnished, providing a blank canvas • Grade II listed building with charming architectural features, including arched windows • Ample natural light, creating a pleasant and productive work environment • Wi-Fi facilities provided • Key-safe entry system, enabling therapists to work at times that are convenient for them and their clients
Shared Facilities and Amenities:
• Access to shared toilets • Shared waiting area • Shared kitchen facilities
Facilities and Services available at additional cost:
• Storage space available in basement • Large meeting space available for presentations, client meetings, or group sessions • Cleaning services
Availability – Consulting Rooms will be available for occupation from September 2024.
In the midst of challenging times for our charity, we have had to think tactically and creatively about how we make the most of the space in our building. With limited funding and the demand for our services continuing to rise, we recognise that we need to find new ways to generate income and support our community.
For many years, the ground floor of our building was let to the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), providing an essential income stream for our charity. Following the departure of RBS in March 2022, we worked hard to secure a new tenant by overseeing works to make the space lettable and ready to market. By March 2023, heads of terms were agreed with a dental practice, with the contract due to be signed in July 2023. However, by November 2023, the dental practice had still not signed as agreed and after ten months of negotiations, they pulled out of the agreement. While this has been an undeniable and costly setback, it has encouraged us to take a new approach that we believe will not only secure crucial revenue but also enable us to grow as an organisation.
The Guildford Institute Building
Khaled Abdullahand Lisa Taylor
The first decision we have made is to find a new tenant for the second floor of our building to provide us with a much-needed source of revenue. This space has housed our counsellor and therapist team for many years, however, it is in desperate need of refurbishment and we are keen to provide them with improved facilities elsewhere in the building. After careful consideration and negotiation, we are delighted to have found a suitable tenant who shares our values and mission as an organisation, and who loves our building! M:tech Education Services was launched in 2008 and provides an extracurricular music technology and creative composition course for children. Khaled Abdullah, Company Director, said ‘I was born and educated in Guildford, and I am passionate about M:tech being established in the town as part of something bigger. M:tech’s values feel aligned with those of The Guildford Institute’.
Lisa Taylor, Institute Manager said ‘We are very excited about the prospect of working with M:tech and are exploring ways we can collaborate together in the future’.
Visual for the Ground Floor Conversion
With the second floor occupancy now agreed (remedial works are currently in progress) we have turned our attention back to the ground floor of our building. We saw an opportunity to transform this space into a community and wellbeing centre; an extension of our current offer in the rest of the building where people come together to socialise, learn, and support one another. By working with local businesses and community groups, we aim to create a space that is welcoming and inclusive, offering a wide range of services and activities for people of all ages. This will include purpose-built, sound-proofed rooms for many of our counsellors and therapists, and a new meeting space for local groups and charities.
Another exciting change is to make better use of our treasured but underused historic Library, for part of the week it will now be used as a characterful and functional meeting room helping us to generate much-needed revenue. However it will remain a welcoming library on Thursday and Saturday, open for everyone to browse, borrow and research. Our community café, V Café is now also open every weekday, continuing the 40-year tradition of serving vegetarian and vegan meals in our Assembly Room.
The Guildford Institute’s historic Library
V Café in the Institute’s Assembly Room
By taking a strategic approach to how we use the space in our building, we are able to not only generate additional income, but also strengthen our connection to the community and expand our impact. We have seen an increase in the number of people coming through our doors, and have received positive feedback from both our students and visitors.
In difficult times, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward. But by thinking creatively about how we use our resources, and by developing and expanding our programme, we are weathering the storm and will emerge stronger than ever. We are proud of our progress and excited about the future possibilities that lie ahead for the Guildford Institute and the community we serve.
We are actively looking for financial support towards the costs of the ground floor conversion. The GI Community & Wellbeing Centre will provide essential mental health support services to the community of Guildford and surrounding areas.
Please consider donating to, and supporting, our Spacehive project, which is specifically fundraising to provide accessible toilets in the GI Community & Wellbeing Centre.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to provide donations via our website, in person or by calling us on 01483 562142.
Meet Alice Fowler, an award-winning writer based in Guildford. She is also a former creative writing student here at the Institute. Alice published her debut short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, last year, which has received wide acclaim. She will be giving a talk at our Members’ Coffee Morning on 8 March about her journey from student to published author. Ahead of this, we caught up with Alice to find out about her short story collection, writing inspiration, future work, and more!
Can you tell us about yourself and your background?
I’m an award-winning writer of short stories and longer fiction. My debut short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, was published by Fly On The Wall Press (an indie press based in Manchester) in July 2023. I’m delighted that the collection has gone to a third print run and was my publisher’s best-selling title last year. Before that, I worked for many years as a print journalist, first in local, then national newspapers, mainly as a feature writer and interviewer. While creative writing and journalism overlap in some ways, in others they’re quite opposing skills. Moving to Guildford, which I did with my family ten years ago, and enjoying the beautiful landscapes on our doorstep, has helped me write more freely.
Was there anything or anyone who inspired your love of writing?
I think all writers are readers first, and that was certainly the case for me. The house where I grew up happened to be opposite a small branch library (now closed, sadly). I spent a lot of time there, reading through its shelves. I also remember the headmaster at my primary school teaching ‘composition’ – which really meant writing stories. I think that convinced me creative writing was a higher calling. Another influence was my mother, who loved books and read voraciously. Very sadly she passed away just before my book came out. However she did receive a copy, and I hope she read the acknowledgement at the end where I thanked her for inspiring me to write.
You were a student on Stella Stocker’s Creative Writing course here at the Institute. Tell us about your experience. Did the course help you to overcome any challenges in your writing process?
I thank Stella in my book’s acknowledgements as she too played a big part in my path to publication. I attended her course at the Institute for around two years. Stella’s classes are deceptively gentle, in that there is little formal teaching. Participants sit around a table, read out their work, and give and receive feedback. That is gold dust for any writer. When I arrived at Stella’s class, I’d say the editing muscle in my brain (honed in my journalism days) was still too strong. Stella’s perceptive and enabling comments, and those of fellow class members, helped me get over that. I remember to this day lines of poetry and prose that I heard read out by talented writers in the class.
What encouraged you to take the journey from student to published author?
I’d say the thing that helped me most was entering short story competitions. I started doing that in a very amateur way around six years ago and was lucky enough to have some immediate successes. I kept going and winning the Historical Writers Association short story competition in 2020 and the Wells short story competition in 2021 gave me a lot of encouragement. Most writers are prone to self-doubt, and I’m no exception, so encouragement of any kind means the world. I still thought it unlikely, given that the market for short stories is relatively small, that I would have a collection published. That The Truth Has Arms and Legs was accepted the first time I submitted it, and is selling well, has been a wonderful surprise.
The Truth Has Arms and Legs is your debut short story collection. Is there a theme that connects these stories together?
While the stories are all quite different – some contemporary, some historical – they all show characters at points of change. I’d say the theme that underlies them is resilience. Resilience is a quality that resonates with me personally and is something we all need in these challenging times. If I had to sum them up, I’d say they’re stories of change, resilience and hope.
What made you choose to write short stories?
I also spend a lot of time writing longer fiction – novels – so in many ways the short stories are a holiday from that! They’re great fun to write because everything is distilled – I try to delve deeply into character, just as in a novel, while also getting the satisfaction of completing something in a relatively short time. I recently heard the writer Wendy Erskine, whom I very much admire, saying short stories are like shots (the kind you drink). I agree – they’re powerful, but short-lived!
How did you come up with the title for The Truth Has Arms and Legs?
This is also the title of the last story in the book, in which an elderly woman, now an acclaimed cellist, remembers her childhood imprisonment at Auschwitz. The title came to me after I had completed the story. A motif of arms and legs – of paper dolls, toy farm animals, arms reaching up etc – runs through it. I also intend the title to suggest that the big events of history, that we may regard as ‘truth’, are made up of individual human lives and, often, suffering. The title came to me while walking with my dog on Merrow Down. I often find ideas bubble up from my subconscious while I’m walking. This is the story I will read from and discuss at the Institute’s Members’ Coffee Morning.
Is there a character from your collection that you relate to the most?
It’s probably Maggie Hoadley in the first story: the 1920s gypsy girl running barefoot against the village girls in shoes. I relate to Maggie’s experience in various ways. One of them is the transformative power of education. The lines: ‘Me? I’m the useless one. That’s what I used to think – until our school on wheels rolled in. Until I learnt to read’ come from a deep place. The story ‘Don’t Forget To Brush Your Feet’, about a mother home-schooling during the pandemic, while worrying that she’s forgetting words, is also quite personal, in that it’s rooted in my own experience of that time.
Would you recommend The Truth Has Arms and Legs as a book club choice?
Yes! One of the privileges of having my collection published has been going to book groups and listening as they discuss the stories. Because they touch on such a variety of themes – war, prejudice, motherhood, inequality, dementia, nature, aging and so on – they’re great for engendering discussion. A reader posted a review recently saying: ‘This exceptional collection of short stories ignited numerous debates at our recent book club meeting’. I was very glad to hear that.
Finally, can you tell us what you’re working on next?
I’m working on a historical novel, set in mid-Victorian Guildford, and partly inspired by two real-life characters who lived here. It explores identity and the boundaries between friendship and love. Recently I’ve been lucky enough to spend an extremely hard-working week at a residential library, which has helped me make a lot of progress, so I’m feeling optimistic. To come full circle back to The Guildford Institute, I should add that the very first, embryo chapter of this novel was read out at Stella’s class!
If you’d like to meet Alice and find out more about her short story collection, join us for our Members’ Coffee Morning on Friday 8 March at 10.30am. Free to attend for Institute members only, book your free place.
It is The Guildford Institute’s understanding that its long-term ground floor tenant, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), will be closing the North Street branch on Wednesday 9 March 2022.
RBS’s tenancy delivers a significant part of the Institute’s income, which enables it to provide a wide variety of activities for the local community. The Institute has been preparing for this eventuality for some time and will now be using this opportunity to review all of its options going forward. These could include finding a new tenant or using the space for the Institute and expanding its offer.
Brian Creese, Chairperson of the Institute, said: “The news of RBS’s departure did not come as a huge surprise and although we are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, we are excited by this new chapter in our history”.
The ground floor of the property owned by The Guildford Institute has been used as a bank for many years and has held a long association with both RBS and prior to this, the historic Williams & Glyn Bank.
Today’s news opens up a number of future opportunities that the Institute is keen to explore and is confident in its ability to ensure the best possible outcome for the way ahead.
Did you know that some of our favourite TV shows are based on books? In recent years, we’ve been spoilt for choice with what to watch! While we have undoubtedly enjoyed binge-watching the latest must-see programmes, we think it’s time to shine a spotlight on the novels behind them.
Take a look at our list of books-turned-TV-shows that we recommend you read:
Normal People by Sally Rooney
This story follows the unlikely friendship and relationship of two teenagers as they navigate their way into adulthood. On the surface, Marianne and Connell appear to be complete opposites but find themselves bound by an unbreakable connection…
Us by David Nicholls
With his son due to start at university in the autumn, Douglas Peterson finds his wife also plans to leave. Determined to save his marriage and bring the family closer together, Douglas believes that going on a summer holiday of a lifetime is the key to fixing everything. What could go wrong?
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Set in India in the early 1950s, Lata’s mother sets out to find a suitable boy for her to marry. However, they both have very different ideas on who would make the best match. At the same time, it tells the story of India, newly independent and struggling through a time of crisis, from the perspective of four families.
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
In autumn 1686, Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of merchant trader Johannes Brandt. He presents her with an astonishing wedding gift – a cabinet-sized replica of their home. Nella seeks the assistance of a miniaturist to help furnish her present and unexpectedly starts to discover the secrets of the family she has joined…
Let us know if you have read any of the books on our list or if you have any recommendations! We hope this gives you some inspiration for your summer reading. All of the books on our list are available for Institute members to borrow from our Library which is open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 2pm.
Here at the Institute, we are lucky to have so many talented tutors who offer high quality and engaging courses on a whole host of subjects. We’d like you to get to know our tutors better, so have introduced a brand new feature called ‘Meet the Tutor’. First up we have popular tutor Ronnie Ireland, an expert in the art world who regularly teaches a wide variety of art history courses at the Institute.
Tell us about yourself and your background. How did you get into a career in the arts?
I was born and educated in Glasgow. I have a degree in drawing and painting from Glasgow School of Art, a Teaching Diploma and a BA (Hons) from The Open University.
I can’t remember when I wasn’t drawing. As a child I was ill quite a lot and spent a lot of time in bed, so drawing was always something I could do – later, art school was just obvious. I taught in schools for a while but at that time didn’t enjoy it. While always continuing drawing and painting, I then moved into organising music and events as a main career, eventually running my own company. I also performed a lot, doing a lot of singing from classical, to rock and finally jazz. When I emigrated to England, I focused completely on my art. I now teach my own classes, give lectures, run demonstrations and workshops for art societies, and finally reached the Parnassus of The Guildford Institute.
Alongside teaching, you are an artist and have built a large portfolio of work, varying in subject matter and medium. Can you tell us more about your work and the influences behind it?
My own work has developed very slowly, and seemed to always be going in different directions with many competing interests. It took me a long time to realise that underneath all of these seeming differences, it was always concerned with investigating identity. Mainly of people, singly or in relationship to one another and their situation. This same interest goes through landscape, abstract and still life work too. It is often allegorical with an implied narrative, but it is never defined – that is the viewer’s role. If the image is strong enough, it will engage the viewer and they will arrive at meaning(s). It is always fascinating what other people see in the work, often not something that I had been aware of, which adds to its richness.
My main influences are particular artists – Rembrandt, Titian, Velasquez, El Greco and Caravaggio. Plus some selected aspects of many contemporary figures, especially Bacon and Giacometti. Alongside that, there is the look of photographs and film noir. Greek mythology has also been a lifelong interest.
A selection of Ronnie’s most recent work. Painting titles left to right: Now,Steps and Snap
We know this might be tricky to narrow down, but do you have a favourite art history movement or artist?
My favourite artists have been listed in my previous answer but Rembrandt above all.
You teach practical art classes, as well as give demonstrations, workshops and talks. Are there any topics or subjects that you especially enjoy teaching?
As for teaching, the most challenging and rewarding aspect of art is to develop creativity; to open it up while being able to focus the results more and more precisely. That is why making art is endless – it is of course impossible! But one little breakthrough, where you have managed to surprise yourself – that’s what keeps you coming back for more torture. Teaching technical aspects is relatively easy as there is a right and a wrong to the result, for example objective observation drawing. If you teach the method properly, anyone will improve.
When you’re not busy teaching or making art, do you have any hobbies or interests that you enjoy?
My other great love is music and usually there is music playing as I work. Mainly classical, from early music through to contemporary; I always explore (although I will always return to Mozart). There is a much healthier cross fertilisation between different genres now as indeed there is between different branches of art in general. It’s always interesting to speculate what kind of artist Michelangelo or Caravaggio would have been if living now. I still play guitar (basic) and write songs for my own amusement when I have the time – it makes a change from standing at an easel. Joining up with some other folk for relaxed performances would be good.
How have you found the move to online teaching – can you tell us about any positive outcomes from it?
I began online teaching for my own classes in April 2020 and soon realised that I would have to rethink how I structured the classes and indeed the whole term. I went back to a much more academic step by step approach while building in participation and interaction. The classes have greatly enjoyed and benefited from this approach and content. Currently, I am now opening up the structure and we are focusing on developing students’ creativity. I have found it a useful move in some ways and it could be retained alongside “normal” classes perhaps.
Zoom classes are often more intense for me than normal ones in the constant interaction with the screen and I have to watch out for eyestrain, especially when you have two events in a day. The downside, in for example lectures, is that you often feel as if you are talking to yourself when all participants are muted. Of course, maybe I’m only talking to myself anyway…
I love the performance aspect of lecturing, responding to and improvising with a live audience. I really miss that. But Zoom has been a financial lifesaver as well – it’s good to eat every now and then!
What do you enjoy most about teaching at The Guildford Institute?
The best thing about The Guildford Institute is obviously the amazing, wonderful, perfect staff and the unbelievable privilege of working with them…
As well as that, you have a very well informed audience with a broad range of interests who usually ask interesting and unusual questions. There is of course always the sneaky worry that one of them knows more about the subject than you do given their background, but you have to believe that you can fool most of the people most of the time!
The Guildford Institute building
Finally, thank you so much for giving me the chance to “blog” with you. It is always useful to define your thoughts for others and yourself and was fun to do. I hope you find it an enjoyable and informative read.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Institute tutor Ronnie Ireland a little better! Interested in attending one of Ronnie’s courses? There are spaces left on two of his lectures planned for the summer term – Degas: Revolutionary Conservative on 22 June and Take Six: Music on 27 July. Visit Ronnie’s website to see more of his artwork.
What better way to relax than with a good book? As Christmas approaches, our Library volunteers have put together their recommendations of the best books to read over the festive period. From gripping detective mysteries, to exploring Christmases gone-by in Surrey, or escaping to the breath-taking Dartmoor, we have something for everyone on our reading list.
A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks
London, Christmas in 2007. The story follows seven people over seven days as they travel the Circle line underground…
The Darkest Evening by Ann Cleeves
Driving home through a winter blizzard, DCI Vera Stanhope sees an abandoned car with a baby strapped in the backseat; fearing the child will freeze Vera drives them to Brockburn, a nearby stately home. A Christmas party is in full swing but lying dead outside is a young woman. A new case emerges for Vera: who is the woman and could she be the child’s mother?
A Surrey Christmas ed. John Hudson
A compilation of Christmases past celebrated in Surrey including ‘Bettesworth’s Christmas’ by George Sturt, ‘Lighting the Dorking lamps’ by Charles Rose and ‘Wassailing the Apple Tree’ by E W Swanton.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders…
Mr Golightly’s Holiday by Salley Vickers
Mr Golightly was a best-selling author but his books have fallen out of fashion. He decides to take a holiday in a small village on Dartmoor and re-discovers his enthusiasm for writing…
Let us know which books from our Christmas reading list are your favourites, or if you have any recommendations. All of these books are available in our Library. We hope this list gives you some inspiration for your festive reading! Now all there’s left to do is put your feet up and start reading…
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_gat
1 minute
This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
2 years
The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
_gid
1 day
Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
