MEET THE MADHURST TEAM

The MADhurst Festival is proudly brought to life by a dedicated committee of volunteers who generously give their time, energy and creativity to celebrate and promote the arts in Midhurst. With a shared passion for music, drama and community spirit, this enthusiastic team works year-round to plan, coordinate and deliver a vibrant month-long festival each August. Their efforts not only support the core MADhurst events but also help shine a spotlight on the wider cultural scene in and around Midhurst, making the festival a true community celebration. If you’d like to get involved, whether behind the scenes or as a helping hand at events, your support would be warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated by the whole community. If you’d like to get involved, please get in touch.

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    Jackie Travers

    Chair

    Jackie Travers has called Midhurst home for over 32 years. After retiring in 2021 from a remarkable 53-year career as a Registered Nurse Manager, Jackie began giving back to the community she loves. She joined the MADhurst committee in 2022, became Secretary in 2023 and now proudly serves as Chairman. Jackie is also President of Midhurst Lions Club, Secretary of the Royal British Legion (Midhurst & District) and part of her church's Stewardship group. A motor sports fan and history lover, she shares her home with Miniature Schnauzers Stanley and Darcy and feels honoured to support MADhurst’s growth.

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    Adrian Gunter

    Adrian Gunter, known to many as Ady, joined the MADhurst team in 2024 as Bar Manager. Though he freely admits he can’t sing, act, or paint, his passion for live performance and community spirit made MADhurst a perfect fit. Ady loves supporting local talent and helping create great events that bring people together. He believes MADhurst plays a vital role in giving small towns like Midhurst a big stage. Outside the festival, he enjoys sailing, music festivals, and playing bowls with the Midhurst Bowls Club. A fan of the British summer, his go-to cocktail is a Dark ’n’ Stormy.

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    Nicci Stringer

    Nicci Stringer joined the MADhurst Committee in 2025. Having lived in Midhurst all her adult life and attended Midhurst Grammar School, Nicci is deeply connected to the local community. Her career has been with WSCC in Learning and Development but as she approaches retirement, Nicci is eager to dedicate more time to local projects. Nicci is married with two grown-up children and excited about contributing further to the vibrant life and events that make Midhurst such a special place.

  • Phillipa Frankland

    Phillipa (fondly known as Pip) lives in Midhurst and works as a dedicated physiotherapist. She joined MADhurst officially around 2018 after initially volunteering, drawn by the town's community spirit and local talent. Pip is active with the Midhurst Community Choir and Midhurst Players. She proudly holds a first-class honours in Physiotherapy from King's College London and treasures memories of travelling the world at 34, especially her favourite stop, Hawaii. A keen supporter of England’s rugby team, Pip loves chocolate, karaoke, pina coladas, and her Labradoodle, Bertie, embodying her motto: "Life is for living, it isn’t a dress rehearsal!"

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    Julie Millington

    Julie Millington has been involved with MADhurst since 2017 and officially joined the committee in 2022. She enjoys being part of the team that brings the festival to life each year, helping to create something special for the Midhurst community. One of her favourite contributions has been directing five comedy plays for MADhurst in collaboration with The Midhurst Players, combining her love of theatre with community spirit. Julie values the friendships and fun that come with being part of the festival and is proud to support the arts in such a vibrant and welcoming town.

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    Dominic MERRITT

    Dominic Merritt lives in Midhurst and joined the MADhurst team in 2024. Passionate about community events, Dominic serves as a Town Councillor and Chairman of Events, using his experience to help make a difference locally. As Head of Year at a secondary school in Haslemere, he fondly recalls his own creative arts experiences at Midhurst Rother College. Dominic enjoys politics, countryside walks, and spending time with his dogs Marley, Jasper, and Harry. A trustee at the Pest House, he loves Midhurst for its vibrant community, history and scenery and enjoys a good musical like Mamma Mia or Oliver!

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    Jude Yuill

    Jude moved to Midhurst in summer 2023 and was instantly drawn to MADhurst after spotting the brochure. With a long background in the arts, she joined to meet people and connect with her new community. Jude loves the group’s positive energy, passion for the arts, and commitment to local causes. Since losing her beloved dog Aida, she now offers dog boarding, welcoming plenty of furry friends into her life. She also enjoys working on mosaic art projects and relaxing with a coffee and book at Garton’s. Jude and her Scottish family often visit the Highlands, living by their mantra: FSNP - Find Solutions Not Problems.

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