Show’s over for organiser of living advent calendar

THE organiser of the Henley Living Advent Calendar has stepped down after 10 years.

Richard Rodway took over the role in 2014 from Julie Perigo and has put together the annual programme of performers.

The event takes place in various venues every night from December 1 to Christmas Eve, like an Advent calendar. The identity of the acts remain a secret until their performance.

Each night is in aid of a different charity and about 50 charities and good causes have been supported since the calendar was first launched in 2008.

Mr Rodway, a partner at THP Solicitors in Bell Street, has helped raise more than £62,000, with last year setting a new record of £11,000.

He said: “Having done it now for 10 years and grown the event, I don’t feel able to continue to put in the time and effort required to run it on top of the day job of running a business.

“We were particularly pleased with another record amount for charity last year. It seems a timely point to bow out and hopefully someone can take it on who has fresh ideas, fresh energy and a contacts book of people to bring something new to the event.”

Mr Rodway, who lives in Winnersh with his wife Claire and two sons Scott and Eddie, made changes to the format when he took over, doubling the performance time to 30 minutes and introducing the occasional “double-header” with more than one act.

Moving forward, he said he would like to see the venues take ownership of its events in helping to provide the night’s entertainment, which would help to make the event easier to run.

Mr Rodway said: “Rather than the Living Advent parachuting into venues each night, to make it more manageable, the venues should really take ownership of their night. The Kenton Theatre doesn’t really need me and nor do the pubs around the town, as they’re well-versed in and used to putting on their own events.

“All of a sudden, if people are taking ownership of their event and getting the sense that they can organise their artists and their charity, hopefully, that will increase engagement and enthusiasm for the event more.”

Being predominantly an outdoor event during winter, Mr Rodway said weather was always a challenge.

He said: “There was one night in 2015 on Christmas Eve when we were due to be in Market Place and it was an absolute monsoon. But, in true Christmas style, there was room at the inn at Hotel du Vin. Even though they held a night earlier in the programme, they had a spare function room and they invited us in — the show did go on.

“Another time, in August, we planned at the Thamesfield retirement home to have a performance in the garden by the river. The plan was that Santa would arrive on a boat but on the night, there was a monsoon again and it wasn’t safe to have a boat on the river because of the flow and levels on the river. They ended up coming on the back of a trailer on the back of a jeep.

“We had a 10-strong choir, and the audience ended up huddling with the choir under this marquee to keep dry. We were all crowded around the same song sheet. That was an experience that is typically living advent - bonkers but fun.”

Mr Rodway said picking his favourite memory during his reign was difficult but the performances in Market Place were the most memorable.

He said: “There’s lots of really treasured memories and it’s difficult to pick because there’s so many varied experiences, which is why it’s with a heavy heart that I’ve come to the decision to step back.

“But my very first one that I took charge of on December 1, 2014 sticks out because I had a good idea for it.

“I knew Mark Hockley, who’s a Robbie Williams tribute act, and I thought ‘Robbie singing Angels under a snow machine in front of the Christmas tree in Market Place would be pretty special’. It went really well and that one will always stick in the memory.

“We also had tumbling and jumping gymnasts on mats. We turned the place into a massive, colourful outside gymnasium with the children from Springbox gymnastics. That was an epic occasion.”

Mr Rodway urges the new organiser to get started early. He said: “It’s all about communication and perception management because everyone seems to want a stage indoors on the third Thursday in December and preferably with a piano they can use.

“To try to keep everyone happy you do need to communicate and be positive and use diplomacy skills because at times you want people’s engagement but, similarly, you’ve got to manage loads of little bits of a jigsaw to make it fit.”

He said he is most looking forward to his free calendar and enjoying festive trips with his family. He said: “That 4.30pm to 7.30pm window in my diary suddenly becomes free every night of December.

“I’ve got one son at Cardiff University and by Christmas this year, hopefully, I’ll have my other one at Loughborough, so I will be pulled out of the area a bit more. I also know my wife wants to visit the Christmas market in Lincoln, which we haven’t been able to do until now.”

To take over the calendar, call Mr Rodway on 07920 589675.