At the first speaker meeting after the summer break, Jen Eglinton entertained members as she recounted her artistic career comparing it to a game of snakes and ladders which has led her to becoming Artistic Director at the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster. Her love for theatrical design began with the influences of her mother and grandmother passing on dressmaking and sewing skills. Jen discovered a love of costume, archaeology and ancient history and is now travelling as much as possible to Egypt, Rome, Athens, Istanbul and St. Petersburg.

After taking a course in theatrical design at Art College, she worked at the Birmingham Rep Theatre making costumes before moving to London and spending time at the Drama Academy in Kensington and with an international costumier. Coming back to the West Midlands, Jen was involved with the Hagley Theatre Group and a further spell with the Birmingham Rep Theatre making costume accessories using skills ranging from embroidery to metalwork. Discovering a love for jewellery and tiaras, she also made bridal tiaras and hats for a local shop. Now retired after teaching a technical theatre course for number of years at Kidderminster College , Jen finds being Artistic Director at the Rose Theatre a wonderful way of bringing together all her skills and experience to create a wide ranging programme. She enjoys the choosing of plays, the casting of actors, working on the posters and artwork as well as directing.

Our next speaker and supper meeting is on Thursday 18 October at La Brasserie Restaurant, Kidderminster at 7.30pm. Our guest speaker will be Helen Allen who is a retired Assistant Chief Probation Officer. We are welcoming members from the Bewdley Rotary Club.

On Saturday 20 October, the Club are holding a Joint Charity Evening – Casino Royale, supported by Kidderminster Lions and Bewdley Rotary, at Heightington Village Hall, Heightington, Bewdley. Club proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Aid. Tickets are £10 and include a Fish/Chicken supper and stake money. For more information and tickets please contact Shirley Bonas on 01299 400 742 or Liz Broadfield on 01299 401 253 or by email at kidderminstersorop@gmail.com

For more details regarding the activities and membership of the Club, please call: Mrs Elke Jury: 01299 266101 or email on kidderminstersorop@gmail.com or look at our website link on www.sigbi.org