Staff and volunteers at the Borough Theatre said goodbye to theatre manager Nick Banwell this weekend as left the Abergavenny venue to to take up a new position as Director of Creu Cymru, the leading development agency for arts centres and theatres in Wales.

Mr Banwell was appointed by the local authority in 1993 in partnership with the Borough Theatre’s Voluntary Management Committee to be the theatre’s first professional member of staff. Since then he has established the theatre as the much loved venue that it is today.

In his 23 years with the theatre has brought performing companies from all around the world to the Borough’s stage, has engaged the UK’s top performers as well as working tirelessly with Wales-based companies and local community groups.

Paying tribute to Nick, Abergavenny mayor Councillor Chris Woodhouse said it was his tireless efforts which had helped established the theatre so firmly in the affections of the town and said he was owed a debt of gratitude not only by volunteers and audiences but by the whole town.

Responding Mr Banwell said that it was impossible to underestimate the importance of the arts and the theatre to a a town and thanked the staff and volunteers for their help and support over the years.

"When I was taken on 23 years ago I was told my brief at the theatre was to ’do what the hell I wanted but not to upset the volunteers’... and I do hope I haven’t upset the volunteers," he said.