ADAM Rees has joined the trustees of Kingswood’s Whitfield Tabernacle.
Adam has had a career in several major charities and is currently chief executive of Abbeyfield Housing Southwest.
Whitfield Tabernacle Trust chair Anthony Hick said: “At this very busy time for our trust, we are pleased to welcome Adam to the board.
“Adam has agreed to help us with our fundraising activities and to look after our website and social media activity. These are important areas where we knew we needed to strengthen our board.”
The appointment comes as restoration of the 18th century Tabernacle nears completion. The first phase of work is complete with the building stabilised, a new roof and windows and restored internal columns. Work is now taking place inside the building with the plan to open in early 2025.
The Tabernacle was built in 1741 as a meeting house and school room for the congregation of preachers George Whitfield and John Cennick. Whitfield commissioned it to provide a warm and safe place for the people of Kingswood to get together to study, sing, make music, and to be fed and cared for.
The aim of the restoration of the Grade 1 listed building is to create a place for people to meet and a flexible space for arts, drama, performing arts, and educational programmes. The building will also include a permanent exhibition that explains its historical significance.
While welcoming Mr Rees’s appointment, Mr Hick added that the trust still needed to strengthen its membership.
“The trust has a particular need for someone to take responsibility for managing the trust’s finances. If there is somebody who is committed to Kingswood, has some time on their hands, and has some expertise in financial management or building management issues, we would love them to contact us via our website, thetabernaclekingswood.org,” he said.