That this House notes with sadness the decision of the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Bryan Carnes MBE, to stand down from his role at the end of 2026, concluding almost 25 years of dedicated service to the theatre and to the community who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across North Staffordshire; recognises the pivotal role Bryan Carnes MBE has played in guiding the New Vic Theatre through significant milestones, including a major capital redevelopment in 2020, which refurbished the theatre’s auditorium for the first time since its opening in 1986; further recognises that Bryan Carnes MBE was appointed as a Trustee in May 2001 before being appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees in September 2015; further notes that 2026 marks the theatre’s 40th anniversary; acknowledges that through the leadership of Bryan Carnes MBE and the Board of Trustees, the New Vic Theatre has strengthened its position as a vital cultural institution in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and across Staffordshire, expanding its artistic reach and deepening its engagement with audiences and communities; and extends its best thanks to Bryan Carnes MBE, a resident in Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, for his service to the community for almost a quarter of a century.
