Chairman of Norden Farm board of trustees steps down

The outgoing chairman of the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts board of trustees has said he hopes that uncertainty over the future of the Desborough Suite can be resolved without having a negative effect on the future of the arts centre.

Paul Rutherford was speaking after stepping aside following three years at the helm of the board.

Plans for the Desborough Suite, in Maidenhead Town Hall, were a rolling issue throughout his tenure and this looks set to continue as the Royal Borough is still yet to release the results of its feasibility study into the venue – despite numerous Freedom of Information requests.

The independent report was commissioned in January 2014 to examine the potential for turning the town hall auditorium into a multi-purpose entertainment venue.

Concerns for Norden Farm, in Altwood Road, were raised from the outset, particularly that a revamped Desborough Suite would create unfair competition.

Speaking about the issues, he said: “If it were possible to have the clarity of mission between the two venues then potentially there’s a situation in which two and two could equal five for the benefit of Maidenhead.

“In order to have that there needs to be a very clear policy of what is and what is not going to be booked and the purpose of the two venues.

“Personally, I think that the best skills in Maidenhead to do that sit in Norden Farm, but the notion of handing the responsibility of running both to Norden Farm is not something I think council would agree to.”

Asked about his reasons for stepping down, the 53-year-old said he felt he felt he was leaving an organisation in better shape than the one he joined, but that he thought it was the right time to introduce fresh members and ideas.

He has now been replaced by Martin Kaye, 60, a chartered accountant who is also chairman of the Cherie Blair Foundation.

Speaking about his appointment, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to have joined the Board of Trustees of Norden Farm.

“I have already been hugely impressed by the dedication and hard work of the staff and I look forward to supporting them and the Board over the years to come in the continuing delivery of a top-class customer and community experience.”