Meet the New Room Staff Team
David Worthington
Director (sabbatical)
David has worked at John Wesley's New Room since 2006. During that time he has built up an in-depth knowledge of the history of the building and Methodist heritage. Regularly giving lectures to groups around the world, David is responsible for the overall strategic development of the work that we do.
Louise Wratten
Co-Director, Operations
Louise recruits, trains and supports the amazing volunteer team who keep John Wesley's New Room going, as well as managing venue hire, events and group visits. Louise has worked in volunteer management for 10 years and enjoys that no day is the same here.
Kate Rogers
Co-Director, Collections
Kate is responsible for managing and caring for the Collection in the Museum, Library and Archives at John Wesley's New Room and Charles Wesley’s House. She is assisted by a team of dedicated volunteers who handle cataloguing, documentation and research enquiries. Kate joined the team in 2017 with 10 years’ experience of working in museums. Kate has a background in design for museums and a love of 18th century social history.
Mandy Briggs
Education Officer
Mandy’s role at John Wesley's New Room is to tell the story of the Wesleys and Methodism to young people and families. She runs school tours, talks and workshops and also visits schools to take part in lessons and assemblies. She also works closely with the local Methodist circuit team to run activities and events in the school holidays.
Julia Smith
Fundraising Officer
Julia is responsible for the broad range of activities relating to fundraising and development. She began her museum career in collections and exhibitions, beginning to fundraise as part of her role at Gainsborough’s House in Suffolk. Enjoying this so much, she continued museum fundraising voluntarily as part of a career-break and is excited to help more people enjoy John Wesley’s New Room.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Kate Rogers
Community Engagement Officer
Community is at the heart of everything we do at John Wesley's New Room. As Community Engagement Officer, Kate builds relationships with a wide range of audiences. Kate achieves this through organising events, community projects and outreach activities which connect with our stories and values.
Cyril Babeev
Marketing & Communications Officer
Cyril joined the team in January 2022 bringing expertise in the field of arts and heritage marketing.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Ewa Littlefield
Catering Manager
Ewa has a track record in managing award-winning cafés across Bristol, including We the Curious (previously At Bristol). Under her management, the café has won recognition twice over in its own right, first with a gold award in the ‘Best Café or Restaurant’ category in the 2018 South West Fairtrade Business Awards, then with top place in the ‘Food & Dining’ category of the Bristol BID Retailer Awards 2018 with a 100% mystery shopper satisfaction score.
Zdenek Bidsovsky
Cafe Assistant Manager
Zdenek joined the team from a long career in hospitality, bringing with him a passion for coffee, and a welcoming smile.
Graham Wilson
Finance Manager
Graham joined the team in December 2021 bringing a wealth of experience in the world of finance.
Trustees
The work of the staff is supported by the New Room trustees.
A full list of trustees can be found here. To contact the trustees, please email info@newroombristol.org.uk
Patrons
Michael Eavis
Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis became the first patron of the New Room in 2018. Michael said “How can I not be absolutely thrilled to be asked to be Patron of this beautiful building, the cradle of ideas that had such influence on promoting unprecedented social and religious change, contributing so much to our national heritage?"
“I have been associated with Methodism my whole life and every week I attend a Methodist chapel service in my home village of Pilton. I must admit though that what I enjoy the most is the singing of those marvelous Wesley hymns. But then there’s the more serious side of why we all need to reflect on our life’s purpose and the strong desire to praise our creator."
Read more about this story here.