John Warburton retires after 55+ years’ service

News (Current);   Published: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025

On Saturday 31 May, around 100 people gathered to celebrate the retirement of Wallingford resident, John Warburton, after over 55 years’ service to the Corn Exchange. The afternoon started with a screening of the film, Easy Virtue, where John made a brief appearance (one of over 200 films he was in as an extra). Following this, there was a drinks party where John was honoured by Corn Exchange Chair, Gloria Wright, and presented with several gifts, including signs for the newly appointed Warburton Room, a ‘golden ticket’ for lifetime cinema screenings, a book of archive photos, and a framed memento highlighting his contribution.

The photo shows John Warburton (left) being presented with his framed memento by David Simmons.

In her speech, Gloria noted that John first joined the Sinodun Players in 1970 for that year’s pantomime Cinderella.  Since then, he has appeared in 30 or more productions for the SP’s. She outlined how significant his efforts had been in making the Corn Exchange the success it is today, starting in 1975, when John was behind the fund-raising appeal to buy the current building, and was heavily involved in obtaining Planning & Listed Building consent, with conversion work beginning in early 1976.

Since then, John has undertaken fund-raising for a building extension in 1980, purchase of a sound system in 1986 and a digital projection system in 2012. Apart from this, John was Corn Exchange General Manager from 1980 -2001, a Trustee for nine years, newsletter editor for 15 years and Cinema Manager, responsible for all film bookings, from 1995 to 2025.

Ending her presentation, Gloria said: “What can I say that would possibly sum up the incalculable contribution that John Warburton has made to the Corn Exchange?  Well, in 2015, news of his remarkable work reached Downing Street and in the New Year’s Honours List he was awarded the British Empire Medal for ‘Services to the Arts in Oxfordshire through the Corn Exchange Wallingford’.  This is a very fitting accolade to his many achievements, for which we are truly grateful”.

Join our Workshop Team

News (Current);   Published: Tuesday, May 27th, 2025

As many of you will know, set building for SP productions takes place largely on weekdays during the day, with a dedicated team of retired folk involved. We would dearly love to open this task to a wider group, and to this end, Mick Woodhouse, one of that senior group, has suggested a regular session at time when others might be able to take part.

We are therefore going to start regular Thursday evening sessions starting on June 5th at 7.00pm. If you are interested, come along and see what is happening. Come to the foyer and you will be directed to the workshop area.

David Simmons

Workshop Leader

Take a Tour!

News (Current);   Published: Tuesday, May 27th, 2025

We are exhibiting at this community event, 10am-1.30pm on Saturday 7 June. Come and chat to us about the myriad of volunteer opportunities at the Corn Exchange from acting, to bar, to set design and construction, costumes, ushering, marketing, you name it!

Take a free tour behind the scenes of this wonderful Victorian building. Coffee, tea and cakes in the foyer bar.

CALLING ALL BUDDING SET DESIGNERS

News (Current);   Published: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025

Are you interested in learning about set design? Some of our current set designers would be willing and delighted to run a set design workshop and nurture anyone who would be interested in learning.

Please get in touch with chair@sindodunplayers.org.uk if you are interested.

Everyone and anyone would be welcome to come along.

Wallingford Winter Blues 2025 Success

News (Archived);   Published: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025

Hi Caroline and all the Corn Exchange volunteers,
We just wanted to send our sincerest thanks to all of you from
the whole team at Winter Blues & Jazz for what was a wonderful
weekend of music in February. we’ve attached a few photos in a
document which were taken at the Corn Exchange during the
weekend.

Without your commitment that weekend we couldn’t have run
our flagship events in your fantastic theatre which were close to
being sold out 3 nights in a row. Those concerts were very
special and the feedback we have had from audiences has told us that there were many
unforgettable moments, the musicians felt the same, the theatre has a special
atmosphere.

Also, we quite literally could not have put on the whole weekend for our community – in
venues all across our town – without the contribution from the tickets sold at the Corn
Exchange. Our sponsors and other venues all contribute but the Corn Exchange provides
over 3 times the nearest sponsor which ensures that 80% of the concerts around town are
completely free. This helps many people who can’t afford a night out but also local
businesses. One pub told us they “struggle to get to the end of the month” at this time of
year but that their tills were ringing due to the weekend and many have told us they made
7 or 8 times their usual amount.

So, thank you for your contribution. You helped bring a lot of joy to our town and our
community – from children in the family centre to people in a care home and so many in
between. We feel so lucky to have the theatre and your army of committed volunteers in
our corner.

See you next year then?

Very warmest wishes,
Maff, Fleur, Steve, Nigel, Chris and all the WWBJ volunteers.
Maff Potts
Co-founder, Crowmarsh Jazz
Wallingford Winter Blues & Jazz
www.wallywinterbluesnjazz.co.uk

Change to Digital QR Coded Tickets

News (Current);   Published: Friday, February 14th, 2025

The Corn Exchange is moving from the current paper-based system to Ticket Scanning using Digital QR coded tickets.

Tickets purchased online or from the Box Office after 12th February will have QR codes on physical tickets and online confirmation emails, including the confirmation booking reference as on the current tickets.

You don’t need to do anything just bring your ticket with you as usual – on your phone or paper copy.

Please see flyers and posters for further information.