Meet the team

Beverly “Bev” Roberts

Founder, Director, Editor & Project Manager

Founder, director, editor, project manager… apparently, picking just one job wasn’t for me.

I’m Bev, the person usually juggling the magazine, dreaming up our next community project and saying, ‘I’ve had an idea’ to a team who know that probably means more work. Sorry, everyone. 😂

I wear a lot of hats, but About the Town is far from a one-woman show. None of what I do would be possible without the amazing team behind me, bringing their own ideas, skills and care to everything we do. I’m so grateful for them—even if I occasionally express it by coming up with another project.

At the heart of it all, I want people to feel welcome, connected and proud of the community we’re building together.

Andy Forsyth

Journalist & Our Very Own Countdown Star

Andy helps us tell the stories that make About the Town what it is, bringing his talent, humour and community spirit to our magazine, including his own Andy’s Diaries.

And yes, you might recognise him from Countdown! Three wins and a winner’s teapot later, we’re fairly sure he’s the person you want on your quiz team.

He’s also taken on incredible fundraising challenges to support our work, putting serious effort into helping keep our community projects going. A way with words, a big heart and a rather competitive streak — we’re very glad he’s on our team.

Sian

Kitchen Manager & Little Cooks Lead

If something’s cooking at ATT Central, Sian probably has something to do with it! She manages our everyday kitchen and coffee shop, supports our team of volunteers and spearheads our Little Cooks project, helping young people get stuck in and build confidence in the kitchen.

She’s also full of ideas for making our space work better for families and visitors. Keeping everyone fed, welcomed and organised? All in a day’s work — Sian is more than capable of running the place alone with her eyes shut!

Sandra

Community Cuppa & Creative Volunteer

Sandra joins us on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings, helping with our Community Cuppa and bringing her enthusiasm for catering and customer service to the team.

She also loves arts and crafts, so she’s very much in the right place here. Good company, something creative and a cuppa? That’s a pretty lovely combination.

Teresa

Crafts & Games Volunteer

Pom-poms, games and a reason to get together — Teresa’s your woman! She leads our pom-pom-making and games sessions and helps with our free Friday morning arts and crafts.

Whether you fancy making something or joining in a game, Teresa helps give people a reason to pull up a chair and get involved. You might arrive “just to have a look” and leave with a pom-pom. These things happen.

Gail

Community Cuppa Queen

Gail knows what everybody drinks, which is frankly a level of customer service most cafés can only dream of.

She runs our Community Cuppa and somehow manages to get tea and toast out to more than 30 people in one sitting, single-handedly. She might tell you to sit your bum down while she gets on with it, but that’s all part of the service.

A big heart, a busy toaster and absolutely no time for your hovering. We’d be lost without her.

Esther

Saturday Kitchen Volunteer

Esther is part of our Saturday team, supporting our kitchen staff and helping keep things moving when the weekend visitors arrive.

She’s currently studying catering at college and gaining hands-on experience with us along the way. We’re delighted to be part of her journey — and very grateful she spends her Saturdays being part of ours.

Leile

Saturday Kitchen & Art Studio Assistant

Kitchen or art studio? Leile does both! Our Saturday assistant helps across the two spaces, supporting the kitchen team and visitors getting creative on the studio floor.

She’s a valued part of making our Saturdays run smoothly, wherever an extra pair of hands is needed. A little bit of kitchen, a little bit of creativity and plenty of getting stuck in.

Leon Taraldsen

Resident Artist

Leon is the talent behind our artist-led classes and sessions, bringing his skills and creativity to ATT Central.

If you’ve spotted an art class and thought, “I’d love to try that, but I’m not artistic,” this is your invitation to give it a go. You don’t need to arrive with a masterpiece in you — just a willingness to pick up a brush and see what happens. Leon can help with the rest.

Isobelle

Kitchen, Crafts & Chief Mini Bev

At 14, Isobelle is already a proper part of the ATT team. From helping in the kitchen and art studio to getting stuck into our HAF school holiday sessions, she brings organisation, humour and a willingness to lend a hand wherever she’s needed.

She’s been part of ATT for the last three years, supporting Bev with projects and the start-up of our pottery painting journey — happily giving up her Saturdays to help. She’s also Bev’s daughter, so the “mini Bev” nickname comes with the territory. Organised, funny and more than capable of keeping up with the grown-ups — yes, the resemblance goes beyond looks!

But Isobelle deserves recognition in her own right. She makes a real contribution to what we do, and we’re proud to have her on the team. 💛