Community Matters: How Jo stitched her way back to the stage

What we do as Community Builders is not always about what we know but who we know too. Within Torbay there is a world of possibilities, conversations and connections.

I would like to introduce you to Jo, the lady in the photo wearing a black coat, standing with Martin Harris CEO and Creative Director and Josie, Vice Chair and dressmaker of the Unleashed Theatre Company.

I had a lovely conversation with Jo back in the summer over coffee, and she told me about her past and how her dream would be to get back to theatre dressmaking.

Jo is 86 years old and in yesteryear was a dressmaker on some very well-known film sets, including The Railway Children (1970) and as a  dressmaker for the Glyndebourne Opera Company. I had a few conversations with the Unleashed Theatre company and a couple of months later I arranged to take Jo to the theatre where she was met with open arms to become one of their volunteers to begin working on the production of A Christmas Carol at the Lyceum Theatre on Abbey Road.

Jo does all the dressmaking from home as she doesn't get out and about as much these days. She quickly got started making dozens of costumes for the show. Her skills with a sewing machine and the speed at which she works at is amazing. I took Jo to see the show on the opening night, which was a complete sellout and absolutely fantastic. To say that Jo was like a kid in a sweetie shop would be an understatement! Her dream came true.

The story's moral is that you are never too old to rekindle your love of skills, hobbies, passions, and dreams. Conversations are so very important to share.

Volunteers are so important to the work that we Community Builders do. We can't do it without you.

For me personally I would like to say a huge, big thank you to Debs, Lyndsey, Emily and Sage for all your hard work in helping to create and run the two amazing Christmas Craft Fairs at the Sailing Club in St. Marychurch. The events were to raise funds for Torbay Communities in our 10th anniversary year. Thank you, Debs, for having this great idea in the first place.

A big thank you also to all those that donated to the tombola and who came to help run it.

To you and the community, thank you for coming and supporting us and making them both fantastic community events for us all.

As always please do get in touch with me whether it is needing info or you have an idea. You can call me on 07469 660888 or email me jennielangridge@torbaycdt.org.uk

You never know there could be a world of possibilities.