Hi there,

Just a quick note to see if you would like to support my latest crazy venture!

Each year I try to find (or stumble upon by accident) an interesting, exciting and challenging little event, to raise money for local and personal causes. So... this year, on the 14th June, I am racing in the UK Ironman 70.3 race on Exmoor in aid of Rotary South West and The Alzheimers Society. As dad has Alzheimers it has become somewhat personal and trying over the last few years, not just for me but even more so, for my already long suffering mother (she has me to put up with too!).

The event itself is 1.2mile swim in Wimbleball Lake, 56 mile bike around the hills of Exmoor and finally a half marathon up and down the surrounding hills! If you would like to support me, just follow the link to my sponsor page http://www.justgiving.com/laurabriggs - any amount would be greatly appreciated. No worries if not, you are still welcome to come and laugh at me on the day!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Laura

Ben Rigby's Trip to the Falklands

Article - EMS Valley Gazette 15th January 2009

PARENTS' TRIBUTES

Rosie Francis wrote......

“Well if he thinks I am going to spend all my Christmas holiday rehearsing then he is sadly mistaken!!" These were the comments made by my son, Joshua Francis, after his conversation with Andrew Bowker after watching the 6th form show seven years ago.

Joshua had performed in a school play a couple of years previously; he had taken command of the stage and loved it. I spoke to my friend Sandra Smith (of the Kings Theatre) and she suggested Dynamo to see if any talent he had could be nurtured.

Joshua had only just turned 11 when he met Andrew after the show. Andrew pointed out the conditions of membership; Josh was horrified about what was expected of him and vowed never to return.

After a lot of persuasion Josh agreed to “give it a go” so kicking and screaming he went to his audition and much to his horror was accepted. He was convinced he would hate it and last no longer than 2 weeks......

Christmas arrived 3 months later (yes he was still going) and he could not wait to go to rehearsals for One Pride, (that was his first show) and he proudly boasted “I will be in for 12 hours today.”

That was the beginning, and Josh has never looked back. He has had a wonderful seven years at Dynamo. I have watched him and his peers grow into confident adults, who have put their hearts into every performance. They have formed a unique bond, and I am sure lifelong friendships.

I have lost count of the times that I have done the drive from Portsmouth to Havant and back again, but it has all been worth it. Dynamo gave Josh something to focus on, not just for now, but for the future as acting is something he wants to pursue.

I think in hindsight my son is glad that he "gave it a go.”

Sally Elsbury wrote ......

I want to thank you for all the enjoyment Dynamo Youth Theatre has given me over the last nine years. Alex (albeit for fewer years) and Jake have gained so much from this exceptional experience.

I will never forget collecting Alex after his first performance in Blitz. He was bubbling over with excitement and I told him I could not wait to see his performance, his response '...and I can't wait to do it again!' As for Jake; I have watched him grow in so many ways during his years with Dynamo, and much of the credit lies with DYT for facilitating this development in confidence and ability.

So from a grateful parent, thank you. My children are very lucky to have been part of this fantastic organisation.

I wish DYT continued success for the future. Best wishes

September 2008

Angela Wilcox writes....

I feel quite inadequate having read what other ex-members have been up to but I wanted to add my piece because my Dynamo years have had many positive effects.

Angela played Helena in Midsummer Night's Dream in 1987

I was in all sorts of shows between 1981 (as a founder member) and 1989. The DYT life training scheme gave me confidence, dedication, presentation skills, team work, the experience of shared goals and achievements, friendships and lots of good memories!

So hello to all the ex-members I shared that time with & thanks to all the adults. I went on to get a degree in Psychology & Communication and used lots of DYT basics running play schemes and residential camps for inner city kids. Then I trained as a Hospital Play Specialist and used many DYT skills working on children’s wards and with the Teenage Cancer Trust helping patients and families.

I married Danny Scrase and we’ve undertaken four little productions of our own; Ed was born in 2000, Annie in 2002, Katy in 2004 and Jonny in 2007!

We are now following our dreams and living “the good life” in Normandy, France. We live in a farmhouse with a holiday cottage to rent. We are surrounded by wonderful countryside and every day is different. You can see it on our website www.lehamelroger.com.

The DYT workshops are paying dividends again as I mime my way through daily life while trying to master the French language!

April 2008

Luke Smith is doing a three year degree course at Portsmouth University in Creative and Performing Arts
Oct 2007

Nina Boswell-Brown (nee Pidcock)

Nina was a very active member of Dynamo until 1988, appearing in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Oliver' among other productions, until she was involved in a very serious motor accident. After seven months of rehabilitation, she returned home to a busy summer including sitting GSCEs and a ski trip for the BBC programme ‘Challenge Anneka’ (which followed in two more trips until she decided that wheelchair tennis might be a safer option!).

After graduating from Southampton University, she joined Motivation, an international disability and development charity devoted to improving the quality of life for people with mobility disabilities in low-income countries.

It is estimated that more than 20 million people around the world are in desperate need of a wheelchair, and only 2% of disabled people in the developing world have access to basic rehabilitation services. Since 1991, Motivation has implemented programmes in over 30 countries across Central America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Nina spent five months in Albania and has since worked on short-term projects in Sri Lanka and Africa. “Having relied on rehabilitation in the UK to reclaim my independence, I was shocked by the lack of equipment and services in developing countries leaving people with little hope, ability or motivation to enjoy a full quality of life. It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to help others who have had a similar experience but face far more challenges (such as negative attitudes, a very wheelchair unfriendly environment and lack of employment) and see that with an appropriate wheelchair and health and mobility skills training, a person’s life can easily be transformed – it means they are able to become a contributing and active member of their community.”

Nina now works part-time from the head office in Bristol as Peer Training Coordinator. Three years ago she married Andrew (an ex-Zimbabwean farmer turned pilot) and is now the mother of Jack (fifteen months).

To find out more about Motivation see their website: www.motivation.org.uk

October 2007

Susannah Fielding

DYT is pleased to note the achievement of Susannah Fielding in securing a major role in the critically acclaimed production 'The Rose Tattoo', currently showing at the National Theatre, with Zoe Wanamaker in the main role. Although she was only a member of DYT for a short period before moving on to boarding school, Susie Hearson, as she was known to all of us, was a much valued and respected member. Taking a positive part in everything she could, she is nevertheless, probably best remembered for her performance as the Artful Dodger in Oliver, which incidentally had a very youthful Joe Carr taking the title role!

All of us will follow Susannah's highly promising career with interest.

May 2007

Susannah is also appearing in 'Philistines' at the National

July 2007

Ex-Dynamo member Laura Briggs has recently been in the news, not, this time, for anything to do with the theatre, but because she undertook the mammoth task of running a six-day Marathon across the Sahara Desert.
Click the picture to read the full story
(The News - 19/4/2007)

Gary Jordan (aka Gary Wilson (87-93)) has had a very busy showbusiness career. He recently found time to give a singing masterclass for the current members.

March 2007