Ann Leonard Archives - Made With Many

Ann Leonard Wishing Ann a Happy Retirement! Our Administrator, Ann Leonard, is celebrating her long-awaited retirement this Friday! We'll be celebrating this important milestone at her leaving do tomorrow, and whilst we’ll be sad to be saying goodbye…we’re happy in the knowledge that our paths will regularly cross as she remains an integral part of Corby’s creative community. A staunch supporter of Made With Many for 10 years, Ann has been involved as a volunteer since 2012 when the idea for Made In Corby (as it was then) came into existence. Over the years as a volunteer Ann has given her help at a multitude of events, supported us in spreading the word about our opportunities, encouraged new people to get involved in the arts and taken lots of lovely photos. This led to Ann being recruited as our new Administrator during the first lockdown in 2020 after being made redundant not long before, and she was able to hit the ground running, armed with a lifetime of experience and excellent knowledge of our activities and the local community. You may know Ann as the friendly voice on the end of our office phone or at events, always having time for everyone's enquiries, stories, successes and woes. You may also know Ann from previous roles in the county Youth Service at the Connaughty Centre, with Corby Council, English Heritage and many other varied workplaces, from which Ann has an abundance of fantastic anecdotes to tell. Dubbed both the ‘Mum’ and the ‘Oracle’ of the office, we will miss Ann’s caring disposition, sparkling wit, and incredible ability to pick up a phone and find someone in her vast network who can solve a tricky problem. We'll also feel the loss of Ann's talent for keeping our office plants thriving, and will have to try our best to keep them alive in the absence of her green fingers! Ann has been eagerly anticipating this exciting next chapter of her life for some time now, and intends to devote more time to volunteering and arts activities, such as writing, crafts and singing, having recently joined Big About Singing’s soprano section. Ann will also be making the most of what’s on offer at the new KHL Community Workshop and continuing to run her Stevie Way Art Group on Mondays – which you are welcome to join. An intrepid soul, Ann is also planning to go exploring using her new bus pass and railcard, with adventures on the horizon, including several holidays and a mystery tour!We wish you well in your retirement Ann, and hope to see you soon for a cuppa and a chat – although no doubt we will be ringing you sooner to consult the ‘Oracle’! Ann in Van Gogh's bedroom in Arles (at the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in Leicester) Updates For future updates on Made With Many news, events and opportunities please sign up to the e-newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn – or Get Inspired on our website. Published 25th August 2022