Thank You and Farewell to Joanna Cobb

Wednesday 2 November saw the resignation of Joanna Cobb, after 6 years on The Courtyard Board and 3 years as Chair.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Joanna for her hard work and commitment to The Courtyard. The past 3 years have been some of the most difficult for us, through Covid closure, post-pandemic recovery and the Transform The Yard development – and Joanna has been at the helm to steer us through it all. We wish Joanna all the best in the future and to welcoming her to many more events! The new Chair of The Board will be decided at December’s Board Meeting.

As you now know, I have retired from The Board and as Chair of this amazing organisation. It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve The Courtyard and through it our Herefordshire community. I never grow tired of hearing about the wide-ranging positive effects we collectively have had on people’s lives.

Thank you to our audiences for purchasing tickets to our live shows and/or screenings and for patronising our café bar, which is a crucial part of our business. Our gratitude goes to all our donors, sponsors and business club members who play such an important part in ensuring the Courtyard remains as the cultural jewel in Hereford’s crown.

I would also like to thank the fabulous team of dedicated staff for their skills, time and talents, for their enthusiasm and energy, their huge efforts to continue to strive for greater inclusivity, diversity, originality and creativity so that we widen and improve our impact on our communities whilst simultaneously reducing our impact on the environment.

To our volunteer board members and trustees thank you for tirelessly championing our work.  May I personally note my thanks to David Fowler, Catherine Chima-Okereke, Tom McEwen and Fiona Sampson who have during this year, retired or completed their term of office on the Board.

And again, I salute our amazing volunteers.  It is this whole team that pull together to make The Courtyard the success that it is.

Throughout the past six years I have really enjoying watching a myriad selection of entertainment, I have had countless meals in both our restaurants, my children have been involved in stage combat lessons, youth theatre and laughed heartily at the Panto and Children’s Christmas show.

I have spent valuable time with family and friends here and delighted in selecting beautifully crafted gifts from our superb shop. But above all, I have loved spending time with the people who make The Courtyard. To my fellow Board members and the wonderful team of staff and volunteers, you have taken a small piece of my heart and whilst I may be stepping down from most of my roles here, I promise it is only “See you soon” rather than “Goodbye”.