This section is a 'Whos Who' of the people involved on a regular basis. For information about people involved in running the festival see the Umbrella Fair Festival section.
Membership of the UFO Co-ordination Group is open to anyone who has an interest in our work (non UFO members do not have voting rights). The group meets every Monday night at the pavilion and they responsible for moving the work of the whole of the organisation on.
Ian Bates
Project Co-ordinator and a Director
I've been involved with UFO since the 1990's and I'm a founder member. As the Project Co-ordinator I get involved in most things, but my main job is to plan the work of UFO. I'm also the Treasurer so I do all the finance stuff. I'm a spreadsheet freak. I'm a Northampton boy and proud of it, born in the Mounts and always lived within 3 miles of the Racecourse. I want to be part of developing a stronger local community, that cares about each other and the environment, which is why I'm so passionate about UFO. I'm inspired by the people and the vision & values of UFO.
Kevin Stoney
Artists/musicians hospitality co-ordinator at Umbrella Fair & UFO video promotions.
Mel Rogers
UFO Director, Performance Co-ordinator and Cafe Co-ordinator
"I first became involved with the Umbrella Fair through my work as a musician and youth worker so i ran the first youth stage. Over the years i increased my involvement and 2 years ago became a director. For me UFO provides a brilliant suportive network for my creative ideas and with the Umbrella Pavilion a chance to make an ongoing, positive difference to our community"
Peter Robertson
The UFO Pavilion Team are our paid members of staff. They have the responsibility of getting the Pavilion Project up and running, including raising the funding required for the full refurbishment (£ 350,000-500,00). Each member of the team works one day a week and collectively they cover the pavilion rota Monday-Saturday.
Project Co-ordinator & Fundraiser - Ian Bates
The Project Co-ordinator is essentially the team leader. Ian is responsible for creating a Business Plan which identifies targets & mile stones for achieving the project objectives & ensuring that each member of the team has & achieves individual targets aligned with the project aim.
The Fundraiser is responsible for creating a Fundraising strategy which achieves the fundraising target of £500,000 within one year, including obtaining funding for the organisation to continue
its work throughout the fundraising period. The strategy will need to encompass the best fundraising practice & be designed to maximise the fundraising potential of all aspects of the
organisation
Communication & Community Engagement Co-ordinator - Mel Rogers
Mel as the Communications & Community Engagement Co-ordinator will write & implement a Communication plan which ensures that both the local & wider community are fully aware of the work of Umbrella Fair Organisation. Additionally the role will develop engagement with the local community encouraging support for the work of UFO & grow the involvement of local people across the 5 ways of engaging with UFO.
Volunteering Co-ordinator - Richard Powell
The Volunteer Co-ordinator will be responsible for volunteer recruitment, induction, support & retention. Working closely with all members of the team, but specifically the Activities Co-ordinator, Richard will ensure that adequate & suitable volunteers are recruited & engaged to cover all the activities of the organisation, specifically those at the pavilion.
Activities Co-ordinator - Martin Wills
The Activities Co-ordinator is a hands on role which creates volunteering activities throughout the organisation but specifically within the pavilion & then supports the volunteers to carry out the activities. This will include refurbishment of an area of the pavilion to create a café, cleaning & repairing marquees, building staging or shelving, creating banners & signage for the festival. The Activities Co-ordinator & Volunteer Co-ordinator will work very closely together.
We have a number of community work placement volunteers, they are:
Ben Johnson.
Ben has been involved with UFO for a few years since helping out at our Vegan banquet in 2012. He's been a regular part of the pavilion team and has had a hand in almost every stage of the refurbishment. He's also been a key member of the festival site management team. Last year he formalised his volunteering with us by becoming a Community Work Placement.