Meet the New Room Staff Team
Please note some staff are currently furloughed and staff working hours are subject to change.
David Worthington – Director
David has worked at the 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 work at the New Room.
Contact David – director@newroombristol.org.uk
Mandy Briggs – Education Officer
Mandy’s role at the 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.
Contact Mandy – education@newroombristol.org.uk
Kate Rogers – Collections Manager
Kate is responsible for managing and caring for the Collection in the Museum, Library and Archives at the 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 New Room in 2017 with 7 years’ experience of working in museums. Kate has a background in design for museums and a love of 18th century social history.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Contact Kate – collections@newroombristol.org.uk
Louise Wratten – Operations Manager
Louise recruits, trains and supports the amazing volunteer team of Welcomers who keep the New Room going, as well as managing venue hire and group visits. Louise has worked in volunteer management for 7 years and enjoys that no day is the same at the New Room.
Contact Louise – operations@newroombristol.org.uk
Kate Rogers – Community Engagement Officer
Community is at the heart of everything we do at the 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 the stories and values of the New Room.
Thursdays and Fridays
Contact Kate – community@newroombristol.org.uk
Jo Oyekoya – Finance Manager
Jo joined the New Room team in March 2020 bringing a wealth of experience in the world of finance.
Contact Jo – finance@newroombristol.org.uk
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.
Contact Ewa – cafe@newroombristol.org.uk
Zdenek Bidsovsky – Assistant Cafe Manager
Zdenek joined the team from a long career in hospitality, bringing with him a passion for coffee, and a welcoming smile.
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.