the team
Ben Pitt
Ben is a town and district councillor, and chairs the operations and finance & governance committees for St Neots Town Council. He has worked as a community development officer, music teacher, journalist, musician, concert promoter and videographer. As a volunteer, he set up and ran Love’s Farm House from 2015 to 2019.
Lynne Otto
Lynne moved to St Neots ten years ago when she and her husband left the Royal Opera House. As a former Stage Manager for The Royal Ballet now with time on her hands, Lynne found new friendships in dance classes, choirs and her new job at Wyboston Lakes. In 2018, her FitSteps instructor left St Neots so Lynne offered to take the class over. Since then Lynne has added Broadway Boogie to her timetable and founded DSM DANCE WITH LYNNE. Her classes promote fitness through a fun, friendships and being FAB U LOUS at any age! Her new career gives her time to give to the town, help charities and build her own community of “Sparklers”. She is thrilled to be part of the St Neots Festival team.
James Tortise-Crawford
James is a project and partnerships manager across arts and culture, higher education and community engagement. At the Royal Opera House he managed the official London 2012 Olympics exhibition and BP Summer Big Screens relays, then led on operational planning for Hull UK City of Culture 2017. He currently drives King’s College London’s local community engagement.
Anna Crompton
Anna has worked in arts, festival and community projects since 1995. Studying Arts Education at Bretton Hall and MA in Theatre Education at Goldsmiths she has worked for Trestle Theatre Company, Music for Youth and as Director of the Liverpool Irish Festival during 2008 European Capital of Culture. Anna currently manages the Cambridgeshire branch of Hartbeeps – creating and delivering playful, developmental musical adventures for pre-schoolers. Anna currently manages the Market Marvels programme of entertainment at St Neots Farm & Craft Market.
Clair Slade
Clair co-founded Neotists in 2015. She has worked as radio presenter and marketing coordinator, volunteers at St Neots Timebank and is a director at Serious About St Neots.
Richard Slade
Richard co-founded Neotists in 2015 and represents the creative community on the St Neots Masterplan committee. He runs his own graphic and web design business, teaches at Bedford College and is a competitive rower with St Neots Rowing Club.
Thomas Cave
Thomas is a techie at heart, working closely with local festivals and events for a few years. Since 2016, he’s regularly volunteered at Young Technicians producing events such as the Yaxley Festival. He’s excited to be part of the team delivering the St Neots festival.
