Amanda Dalton
​Co-Chair

Amanda is a freelance writer, facilitator and occasional arts consultant especially in the field of community and education work in arts settings. 

​She’s been a deputy headteacher in comprehensive schools, a Centre Director for the Arvon Foundation at its Heptonstall house, Lumb Bank and was Engagement Director at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre for a number of years before going freelance in 2017. ​She writes original drama and adaptations for BBC Radio and theatre, her poetry collections are published by Bloodaxe books and she’s currently a Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Teaching Fellow at MMU’s Writing School and Associate Artist at the Royal Exchange Theatre.​​

Billie Klinger
​Trustee

Billie has over 30 years’ experience in the arts industry and over 20 years’ experience as a director and producer. She started in repertory theatre as stage company manager and then production manager. She was a Senior Lecturer for the BA Hons degree course in Technical Theatre at Arden School of Theatre. She was also Production Manager for Manchester City of Drama in 1994 and has worked with Manchester City Council.

​Billie joined ‘Walk the Plank’ over 10 years ago and plays a key role in many large scale events and parades, including Manchester Day Parade, the BIG Weekend Parade and the Strolling Bones Halloween parade.
 
In her spare time Billie volunteers for CROWS, Blackshaw Head Fete and is on the Board of The Lawrence Batley Theatre.  ​

Pat Weller
​Co-Chair

Pat has spent over 40 years working as a theatre manager, programmer and producer. She was Executive Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre for nearly twenty years following which she worked as a freelance executive and producer in theatres all over the country including the Arts Theatre London, Edinburgh Festival Theatres, Hull Truck, Curve Leicester, West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Sage Gateshead and the Mercury Theatre Colchester.

She has also worked as a script editor for the BBC and ITV and produced an animated short for Walt Disney.​

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Rowan Aust
Trustee

Dr Rowan Aust is a Film and Television academic who researches television heritage, ethics and ideals of care in media production and teaches at the University of Huddersfield.

​She has written about the Savile crisis at the BBC and the ways in which media workers negotiate caring and work responsibilities. Prior to academia she worked in television production, specialising in arts news and arts documentaries.

​She watches a LOT of film and TV and lives in Hebden Bridge with her husband, two children and a cat called Crumpets.​

Eric Broug
​Trustee

Eric Broug is an author and artist who has dedicated his life to Islamic geometric design. He moved from Holland to the UK 20 years ago to pursue this passion. His books teach how to design and understand these geometric patterns and have been translated into several languages. He gives workshops around the world, especially in the Middle East and North America. He lives with his wife and 12 year old daughter in an old Baptist chapel in Rishworth.

​Before setting up his own business three years ago, Eric worked as a sales manager for an academic publisher in Bingley, creating new business opportunities and networks in Africa, the Middle East and Scandinavia. He loves the arts, he loves how it can transform individuals and communities. 
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Rachel Jones
​Trustee

​Rachel is an Occupational Therapist and Project Manager who has worked for visual and performing arts charities that have a focus on health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. She currently works at START, a mental health and arts charity in Salford. Over the years, Rachel has developed skills in coproduction, community engagement and safeguarding. 
 
She has been a trustee of Manchester Women’s Institute since 2015, where they offer a modern take on the traditional WI. Since moving to Hebden Bridge in 2018, she has felt at home within such a creative and cooperative community and is really looking forward to contributing towards this as part of the HBAF board.
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