Nomad News:

The Nomad Celebration evening was well attended and the full audience saw a witty rundown of the year 2002 punchily put onto Powerpoint by Lauren Fantham and presented by Stuart Freeman. The only drawback to the evening was the unavoidable absence of the recipient of the Bill Pearson Award. who turned out, to great acclamation, to be Stuart Bangs. Bill Pearson gave the citation and the certificate was accepted on Stuart's behalf by his Mother, Judith. A very happy evening, crowned by Debbie's goodies in the Bar.

Bill's citation ran:
This someone has been a hugely supportive member - an example to us all. Turning up at all hours, not only to help with shows but with other chores as well. Someone who has been involved in one way or an-other with every show over the last year and with many other activities, such as clean-up days and Play in a Week.

Indeed over recent times this someone has greeted me when we have met with the words. "The answer is NO, Bill." Come to think of it that could be a number of people in the Nomads. So the award could be going to any of you!

This year's recipient of the award has been a member to my knowledge - man and boy - and child - for at least 12 years; representing a different age group from the rather elderly winners in the last two years. Our Young Nomads have played a vital part in keeping the theatre alive and kicking over the last year. He was a very active member of the Young Nomads, and has continued to support them this year.

You must have guessed. This year's Pearson Award winner is Stuart Bangs. Stuart is one of those Nomads who does not get the glory on stage, although I can remember him in past years actually performing briefly in shows. He does play a vital part in keeping the shows on the road.

He has worked backstage in many roles on Nomad. Young Nomad and Nome shows. For Popcorn, as well as being ASM both in the theatre and at Edinburgh he also drove the van to Edinburgh and back. For the Young productions he has had several roles - as set builder, stage manager, flyman and others. For their street theatre last summer he drove them to Guildford High Street in the people carrier loaned by TWWhite & Sons. Indeed his helpful and cheery attitude has assisted in maintaining our very productive relationship with Whites, one of our most generous sponsors over many years.

Always willing to help, he took on the role of Theatre Manager last year for a time 'til earlier this year he had to give that up because of his move to Guildford and his new job. I know that the award is primarily for the last year but 1 would like to mention the ways he has helped over many years, such as the stunning job he did masterminding the building of Mr Toad's car for the performance at Surrey Motor Show, transporting it there and to Bookham Village Day; his hard work helping with the removal of all our goods and chattels to Horsley Towers while the theatre was being rebuilt; the many times he has trimmed all our hedges around the theatre and of course his sterling support for the Young Nomad organisation from the days they had their own committee & constitution 'til today.

I will always remember some 6/7 years ago when we were involved in several events in London and we provided '8 dames a-dancing' for The Twelve Days of Christmas in the Prince of Wales charity procession in the West End. Stuart was one of the dames, a role he took on with gusto. When he started kissing the policemen lining the route 1 really thought we would be bailing him out of jail. No wonder he has been saying, "Bill. the answer is NO."

Yes, Stuart has been a wonderfully supportive member of the Nomads and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.