Meet the Admin Team
Alex Bowen, Director
Moved to Wales from Yorkshire in 1991, following a Leeds Uni BA Hons course in Film & TV, and running Lighthouse Video Productions in York. She joined Valley and Vale to work in the Video department, moved into the Valleys where she enjoyed a warm welcome from the local community, and has stayed there ever since.
Often seen mountain biking up and down the Garw Valley, or surfing, which is what she does for fun (and when not up to her eyeballs in funding applications). Has a passion for Community Arts and Media and has grown and developed with the organisation over the years.
Became Director of Valley and Vale nearly a decade ago, and has worked hard to invest in the staff team and management committee, building an organisation fit for the future, putting in place firm and honest foundations, bringing in a range of funding sources and devising a busy programme of ground-breaking Community Arts and Media projects for a range of client groups with our creative team of arts workers.
Her belief in the importance of the work of Valley and Vale gets stronger and stronger every year, but there is still much more to be done. Looking ahead, and now as Chair of WACA (Wales Association of Community Arts), she is actively involved in campaigning for the future of the Community Arts sector in Wales in partnership with The Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Assembly Government.
Tamesin Derrick,
Funding Administrator
"I
moved to Cardiff in 2003 and was offered a job at Valley
and Vale Community Arts as a Funding Administrator. It’s
a great place to work with lots of creativity, and lovely
people. Every day is different which keeps it interesting.
I love the relaxed way of life in Wales and having the countryside on my doorstep. I enjoy learning to surf (mainly falling off) and my dog Fraggle."
Shelley Williams ,
Admin Assistant
"I have been at Valley and Vale for a while now, working
as Admin Assistant
and on reception. I really enjoy working here because all
the team are lovely. I live in Blaengarw, an ex-mining village
near Betws, where we are
based. I have bought a house with my boyfriend Leon and have
a little girl,
Lauren, and baby boy called Zac. I used to go to Valley and
Vale children's
arts and dance workshops when I was 5 years old, so it’s
great to be here
working now!"
Melissa Vincent,
Admin Assistant
Melissa
has been working as Admin Assistant for Valley and Vale
since March 2004. Born and brought up in the
Garw Valley, she has spent time living in Nottingham and
Pontypridd while studying for a degree in Theatre and Media
Drama. Since studying Melissa has worked successfully
as an Actress and Casting Assistant for various Film, TV,
and theatre companies. She enjoys working for Valley and
Vale and has made some great friendships here. After her
travels she has now settled back in the Garw Valley. She
says about Valley and Vale:
"it’s great to work for a company where we’re giving something back to the community and area that I live in".
