New GM appointed at Coventry heritage attraction

The new general manager at a heritage attraction in Coventry is looking forward to its first Christmas festivities following its £12 million refurbishment.

Emily Thorpe has been appointed general manager at Charterhouse Heritage Park that includes Grade I listed Charterhouse which officially opened in April, the surrounding 70-acre Heritage Park and the nearby London Road Cemetery.

She has joined from The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, in Northamptonshire where she was Visitor Services Manager for the Canal & River Trust which involved leading the re-opening of its museum, café and shop post-Covid and a major renovation project.

Emily has also worked at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium which involved having responsibility for visitor experience and the commercial team as well as venue hire and events.

She said this is a great time to join Historic Coventry Trust – which restored the 600-year-old Charterhouse in partnership with Coventry City Council and the local community – in the countdown to Christmas.

“It is a great opportunity because Charterhouse is very much at the start of its journey as an attraction and there is so much potential – the building and its grounds are an outstanding asset for the city and have already enchanted so many people,” she said.

“This is a time to look back and celebrate what has been achieved following the re-opening as well as looking forward to 2024 and the exciting times ahead so it is the best possible time to come on board.

“We are busy putting the final touches to the Light Night Photography, and Wreath Making Workshops and festive tours which we are sure will be really popular.

“Whilst the Charterhouse building is now closed for the winter break, we still have a series of winter events planned over the coming months.”

A Light Night Photography Workshop designed to explore creative techniques in using long shutter speed and long exposure photography settings as well as the opportunity to learn how to use a tripod to capture festive lights and atmosphere will be held between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday, November 21.

The Anglican Chapel and London Road Cemetery will be the backdrop and will be a great way of creating personal Christmas cards to send to family and friends, and the workshop is suitable for all levels of photographers.

Historic Coventry Trust is also holding Festive Wreath Making Workshops between 2pm to 4pm on Thursday, December 7, Friday, December 8 and Thursday, December 14 using foraged materials from London Road Cemetery and Charterhouse Heritage Park.

Head gardener Gianni Antoniazzi will be lending his creative skills to help everyone create a beautiful foraged wreath which people will be able to take home after enjoying mince pies and refreshments.

The workshops on December 7 and 14 will be followed by Charterhouse festive late-night tours from 6pm to 8pm which includes a festive refreshment.

Bookings for the workshops and tours are available at www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk

The Charterhouse will be re-opening for Easter on March 28th next year when there will be more volunteer-based activities including tours to find out more about this fascinating building and even more events.