THE Milton Rooms in Malton is appealing for new board members to help guide its ambitious expansion plans.

More Trustees for the volunteer-led charity, which runs the venue's programme of visual and performing arts, are urgently needed to help the Board carry out its plans to modernise the existing facilities, expand the variety of high quality entertainment and attract broader audiences.

Judy Cliffe, chair of the Trustees. said:“We have come a long way in a short time in establishing the Milton Rooms as a viable arts and community centre and at the heart of life around Malton.

"Now we need to expand our Board and bring in new Trustees with a range of professional skills that will help shape the future success of the Milton Rooms."

Potential Trustees would have:

• strong commitment to the continuation and development of the Milton Rooms as an arts and community venue serving the Malton, Norton and surrounding area;

• strong transferable skills, knowledge and expertise in finance, legal, property, arts management, volunteering, marketing or fundraising;

• enthusiasm about the arts, and willingness to work alongside the community and volunteers;

• a contribution to make to one or more of its Committees (Finance and Fundraising, Programming and Media, Venue Management, Development and Governance).

Last month Norton Town Council agreed to provide £10,000 towards the development of the Milton Rooms over the next two years towards developing the facility while councillors in Malton agreed to provide £5,000 for 2015/16, with a further £5,000 potentially to be agreed for 2016/17, subject to a progress review of the progress made during this year.

Ms Cliffe said: “We have now established the Milton Rooms as a company limited by guarantee. We shall still be a registered charity with the same charitable objectives and the same vision, but our Trustees will now be company directors with limited liability.2

The new Board would include up to 10 elected Trustees.

Anyone interested in becoming a Trustee can contact the Board Secretary, Barbara Murray, for further information at babsmurray@hotmail.com or telephone 01653 696240.

Deadline for nominations is 5pm, Friday, October 16. Elections will take place at the Milton Rooms AGM on Monday, October 19.