If you’ve popped into our Newcastle Common High Street and Astley Walk spaces, you may have seen Deb – our Newcastle Common project Manager! Deb joined us earlier this year and we were so thrilled to have her on board to continue our work into the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Welcome to the Team! Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Deb Hilditch and I’m employed by Appetite as a Project Manager for their Newcastle Common project. I’m a mum of two sons and wife of a chimney sweep, a proud dog owner and creative to my core! I have a dry sense of humour that most people appreciate and I like to think of myself as a positive, optimistic realist.
What made you want to join the Appetite team?
I love everything Appetite stands for; allowing people from all manner of backgrounds and lifestyles to engage with quality arts and culture. The variety of art forms Appetite has provided a platform for is fantastic and the way they do this in often unusual or unorthodox places makes it all the more enthralling and fun! I’ve been a long time admirer of their work and that of the New Vic, so to have the chance to be part of this team is a dream come true.
What will you be doing?
I am going to be managing the town centre shop spaces and any activity, event or artist associated with them. This will involve working with our Director and Lead Artist in planning and preparing an exciting programme for both the High Street and Astley Walk spaces, ensuring the spaces are safe and interesting places to work in and visit and liaising with our communications team to spread the word about what we are doing and when. The aim of Newcastle Common is to increase positive footfall within the town centre, providing another reason for people to visit that isn’t necessarily commercially driven. In providing a framework of arts and cultural events and activities we hope to engage a wide proportion of the local community, exposing them to things they have not previously experienced and supporting local businesses through their presence. I hope to help Newcastle Common play it’s part in the regeneration of the town centre, and be part of a positive transformation for our local high street.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy running and find it both physically and mentally beneficial. When I have the chance I love to read, draw and make. The majority of any time away from work is spent with my two sons, husband and our crazy cocker spaniel. When possible we love to get out and about, visiting interesting places and spaces in both rural and city based locations, both locally and nationally, and at some point internationally too, hopefully!
I love to catch up with family and friends as often as possible, usually involving good food and maybe the odd glass of wine.
What’s it like starting a new job in these unusual times?
It’s been just great to have the opportunity to come to a place of work again. I have mainly loved the time I have been able to spend at home, with our little family, reflecting on life and a change of pace due to the pandemic, but having a job I am so passionate about and that is so demanding has felt very refreshing and given me real focus again. It has meant lots of screen based meetings and email communications initially, but I feel fortunate that I have been able to come into the Newcastle Common spaces and work with our first few Artists in Residence, and it is lovely to have team members come and work from here too.
What are you most looking forward to in being part of the team?
Learning! Through having the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful group of people who have amazing experience across this sector I’m looking forward to learning lots more about it. One of the best aspects of this job thus far is meeting such an array of people; I get to work with and support amazingly talented artists and creatives, local business owners and all manner of wonderful folk related to the town centre!
Also becoming part of the New Vic family has just been so lovely, they are all incredibly supportive and welcoming, it’s a total privilege!
You can find out more information about Newcastle Common and our artists-in-residence here.
Featured image by Jenny Harper.