Our team
Staff
Crispian leads the team and has overall responsibility for the manor, grounds, and the activities that we run here. He is Halsway's safeguarding lead.
Rachel chooses and organises all of our in-house courses, and liaises with our partnerships, to ensure that we offer a varied programme of events throughout the year. She is also responsible for promoting the Manor and our courses to folk lovers around the world.
Lata handles our booking enquiries, payments, and partnership bookings, and if you give us a call, there's a good chance it'll be her who answers!
James takes care of all matters financial for the company. He can also help you with membership queries.
Caroline manages our house team and is the first point of call for housekeeping queries. She looks after the day-to-day running of the Manor and makes sure everyone has a comfortable stay.
Frankie is responsible for our social media and our printed marketing materials, including our course brochures. She also sends out all the feedback forms so don't forget to add her email address to your address book so we don't end up in spam!
Trustees
Our board of trustees bring their love of the folk arts and their experience from business, industry and public service to help steer the Halsway Manor Society’s strategy.
Steve dances Cotswold Morris, Rapper, Stepping & teaches French Dance; sings Shanties & conduct a West Gallery Quire; plays melodeon & percussion in Arish Mel English Ceilidh Band & has played for & called for dancing for over 40 years. He was a GP & NHS Manager for many years.
Tim Baker
Trustee
A bow maker and restorer, Tim has been involved with the British Violin Making Association, helping to run short courses for many years. He looks forward to helping develop Halsway’s practical short course facilities.
Tony Millyard
Trustee
After a career in IT in Project and General Management roles, Tony jumped ship 15 years ago to make woodwind instruments for folk and baroque music players. He plays Renaissance, Playford and 18th century English folk music as well as performing with the music group Piva and other musicians. Tony is always up for a dance!
Russ Palmer
Trustee
Before he retired, Russ was an Architect Accredited in Building Conservation responsible for the inspection and maintenance of listed buildings in the South West. He has been involved in the folk world since he was 11, when he learnt to Morris dance under the tutelage of John Brock, first stayed at Halsway in 1970, and been on the board for 10 years.
Russ was foreman of the Exeter Morris Men for over 20 years and now dances with Taunton Deane and Downes on Tour Morris. With his wife Penny, he enjoys most types of folk dancing, concerts, and festivals.
Jamie Robertson
Trustee
Jamie's working career has involved general management in both public and private sectors, and he has also held various roles in a number of voluntary organisations. He presents a folk show on 10Radio and has enjoyed folk music and dance for more years than he cares to remember!
Fi Fraser
Trustee
Julie Williams
Vice Chair of Trustees
Julie's professional career was spent in the NHS and then in Higher Education. She has been a board member since she retired in 2013. Julie's interests in folk are wide ranging, but her main passion is for percussive and step dance. She leads a clog and step dance group in Bristol.
Deborah Wood
Trustee
Deborah comes from the education sector, retiring from my last role as a primary school headteacher. She has been dancing Cotswold morris for a good number of years, sings in a community choir and dabbles with various musical instruments. Having enjoyed visiting Halsway in the past and having recently moved to mid-Devon, Deborah now want to use her multitude of skills to help support the future of the Manor.