SAVE
THE
TOWER
FOR THE COMMUNITY
The Save The Tower Team
Donna Hicks
Role - Save the Tower Team member, volunteer and former Tower Front-of-House Manager
Background - Donna was 3 when her family moved from Glasgow to Helensburgh and has lived here ever since. She’s married and has 3 amazing children and a crazy labradoodle! Professionally Donna’s background is in Social Work Services in Glasgow - mainly in Children & Families settings, but latterly as a Service Manager in Criminal Justice.
In 2017 Donna retired after a cancer diagnosis, opting to spend more time with her young family. She has thrown herself into various volunteer roles in the local community, joining Team Tower in 2018. She’s also an Ambassador for Rainbow Valley Cancer Charity & fundraises for the Beatson Cancer Charity.
Donna is absolutely passionate about bringing The Tower into community ownership and is 100% committed to this project. Her vision is to see people of all ages, backgrounds etc. use the facilities the venue has to offer.
Favourite Tower Memory - The very first time Donna visited The Tower (it still had the pews!!) she fell in love with the place. She immediately saw it as more than a cinema and envisaged producing a show of songs from musicals to be performed in The Tower. The 1st Matinee at the Musicals concert took place in Nov ‘18 and was such a special event, and a very proud moment.
Movie I’d Love to see in The Tower - Donna loves all things ‘musical’ and would love to see the Wicked film (due for release in Nov ‘24) shown in The Tower when it re-opens.
Band I’d Most Like to see - Donna would love to see The Tower as a musical hub for new bands to be able to showcase their talents in an amazing venue with the best acoustics around. It would be a great way to attract new (and potentially younger) audiences to the venue.
Comedian I’d most like to see - Donna saw Kevin Bridges play his first gig in The Stand in Glasgow (age 17 - he had his dad with him!) - she’d love to see him perform at The Tower. She’d also really like to see local comedian Robert Florence perform as well as Glasgow comics Gary Faulds & Gary Meikle.
Brian Sayer
Background
Most of my working life was spent in the Whisky and spirits industry. I moved from Edinburgh to Helensburgh in 1992 to work for J&B in Dumbarton, as Quality Manager (not as much tasting as you might think!). Then became project manager for Quality Management system implementation across 10 sites in Scotland. I had a memorable secondment with a sister company in Brazil to oversee a similar system implementation there (great weather, football and food as well as the work!). Since retiring, I’ve done work with the Citizens Advice Bureau, then working in the team who successfully brought the Red Cross Hall into community ownership, now the Helensburgh Community Hub. When the possibility of a similar project for the Tower arose, I was volunteering there and got involved with the ‘Save the Tower’ team at the outset.
Favourite Tower Memory
Purely the buzz and enjoyment of working with a great bunch of people whose commitment and enthusiasm to deliver the Tower for the community is really inspiring. The atmosphere in the cinema spaces and bigger events in the main venue has always been fantastic and the place misses the opportunity to continue bringing these great nights to Helensburgh!
Movie I’d most like to see at the Tower
There are a couple: The original West Side Story (1961). The music and choreography of this classic was way ahead of it’s time. Bernstein, Sondheim and Robbins were genius. My other favourite is The Big Lebowski, Bridges, Goodman and Buscemi at their best!
Band I’d most like to see at the Tower
I saw Vintage Explosion, a Glasgow based swing/soul band, a couple of weeks ago and they would create a great atmosphere in the Tower.
Comedian I’d most like to see at the Tower
Kevin Bridges or Ed Byrne (saw him at the Edinburgh Festival) would be great. A more local comedian I liked is Scott Gibson, he’s performed in Helensburgh a couple of times over the last few years.
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Michael Doyle
Role: Save The Tower Team Member since April 2024.
Background: Originally from Dublin I have been living in Helensburgh with Jo and family and dogs on and off since 2016. I work in IT as a senior Programme manager for a broadband provider. I have a lot of interest in Cinema and the Arts. I perform with the Savoy Musical Society and the Dumbarton People’s theatre and I directed Sunshine on Leith last year.
Favourite Tower Memory: watching National Theatre Live! Version of Cyrano De Bergerac - with a fantastic James McAvoy - I loved the intimate setting , comfy seats and the fact that you can get a couple drinks to your seat. Made it the nicest theatre experience.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: Rocky! A tour de force by Stallone both as an actor and a director always makes me feel like I could have been a contender 🙂
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: I think a night with a piano man would be great so if not Billy Joel then a good Billy Joel cover band.
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: Dara Ó Briain
Henry Boswell
Background: Retired Innovation Director turned Brewer! Grew up in Glasgow. Lived for many years in the South-East of England and then the USA (fell in love with craft brewing!), now living in Cardross for 7years. Married to Jo & Father to 4 boys. Well youths/adults. 2 dogs that suffer us both now most of the boys have left us... SOB!
Favourite Tower Memory: The very first visit! Realising I could have (OK share) a bottle of wine while watching the movie sat on a SOFA…. then walk home again.. Heaven!
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: Grosse Point Blank. This 1996 movie about a 10yr High School reunion is perfect nostalgia for an 80's kid like me.
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: The Foo Fighters (come on we can make that happen… right??). You got to think big!!
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: We've got to get the cast of "Goodness Gracious Me" back together again. Arguably the best sketch show of the last 30yrs!!
James Traynor
Role: Save The Tower Team Member since July 2024. Volunteer at the Tower for the last 1 year.
Background: Originally trained as a theatre/events lighting designer before moving to IT. Having been a network manager for many years, I now run my own IT development and consulting company. Born in Wimbledon and moved to Helensburgh after marrying a local lass. We have two children.
Favourite Tower Memory: I moved to Helensburgh during the pandemic so missed all it showed before. Seeing recordings on Café Improv isn’t the same as live, so best memory has to be Ron Jappy, seeing a live show with a full, dancing, cheering crowd shows what the venue can be.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: Back To the Future , a classic in every direction with more memorable lines than any film. Save the (clock) tower!
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: Would U2 be a stretch? Would just be happy to see a new band I've never heard of every week.
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: Bill Bailey, comedy and music, what more can you ask for.
Helen Ewing
Role: Save The Tower Team Member
Background: Helensburgh born and bred, I did live in Glasgow for a number of years but returned, as so many people do! I had a career in emergency planning across the public sector for around 30 years. After leaving work for health reasons, I began volunteering at The Tower and eventually became one of the managers.
Favourite Tower Memory: The BBC Big Scottish Book Club recordings. Each session featured five top writers including Graham Norton (The Graham Norton Show) and my absolute favourite, Marian Keyes. Not only were these hugely fun and informative programmes, but they demonstrated another type of event which the venue can host brilliantly.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: Most of my favourites are musical films, so I’ll pick the all-time classic West Side Story for its glorious colours and dancing, and the genius music.
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: Is Duran Duran too ambitious? LOL. In that case, Tide Lines or Red Hot Chilli Pipers, what a party that would be!
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: Bill Bailey or Greg Davies
Dave Dunbar
Role
Save The Tower Team Member/Tech Geek
Background
I come from a broadcast and creative industry background. Starting out as a Broadcast Camera Operator and Editor, I eventually moved into the Audio Visual, music and Performance Arts arena as a content producer, musician and graphic designer. I was the technical director at The Tower from its inception until it closed, and I now work as the Creative and Technical Director at the Submarine Centre in Helensburgh. A couple of fun facts. In my younger days I gigged with Daft Punk and won a Scottish BAFTA award.
Favourite Tower Memory
Difficult one to choose because I was literally at them all. I would maybe say the Clare Grogan Cafe improv because I got to meet a teenage crush of mine and buy her chips. I did enjoy the experience of being part of the Tower as it evolved.
Movie I'd most like to see at The Tower
I love movies and I'm a 70s kid and love disaster movies, so I would like to bring back Saturday double bills like The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. Brilliant on a BIG SCREEN! And Ice cream trays in the interval!
Band I’d like to see at the Tower
I love electronic music but the band I would actually love to see here is Belle and Sebastian. I couldn’t get tickets for their last gig. Booo.
Comedian I would like to see at The Tower
Not exactly 1 because it’s a double act. I love Burnistoun so Robert Florence and Iain Connell doing a sketch show with the characters from that.
I get ribbed because I'm always saying I have been with The Tower since Day 1. I’m still here and determined as ever to see it become something fantastic again. Save The Tower!
Hilary Hennessy
Role: Save The Tower Team Member and Tower Volunteer
Background: From Glasgow, work took me to London and the south coast of England where I lived for many years before moving to Helensburgh in 2020. I have spent most of my working life in the public sector as a Housing Manager, managing tenancies, community engagement and customer services.
Favourite Tower Memory: New to Helensburgh, stepping into the Tower for the first time and being amazed that such a wonderful venue was in the church building. As a volunteer at the Tower, I saw the same look on so many other people’s faces when they came to films or concerts for the first time and could not believe that such a brilliant venue was on their doorstep.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: A matter of life and death by Powell and Pressburger. I have only seen in on tv and would love to see the celestial court scene where an aircraft pilot, played by David Niven, pleads his case to stay alive. As with many films, love wins out. In this case, in glorious technicolour.
Band I’d most like to see at the Tower: KKing Creosote I recently saw him play at the Queen’s Hall in Dunoon – great music and lots of conversation with the audience. I kept thinking how much more suitable the Tower would be for his style of show with its fantastic acoustics and stage close to the audience. As an added bonus From Scotland With Love, a film of images he wrote songs to accompany, could be shown on the large screen in cinema 1 at the same time as he played them live.
Comedian I’d most like to see at the Tower: Victor & Barry (aka Forbes Mason and Alan Cumming). Recently reunited in their golden years I think Helensburgh would be an ideal venue for them to host a musical soiree. Alan Cumming is a patron of TThe Birks Cinema Aberfeldy another cinema that has relied on fundraising and support from the community to keep going. In addition to films, The Birks has a fantastic list of activities that includes meet the author events, craft groups, book and film clubs, live music and themed film nights. Wouldn’t it be great if we could develop something similar in Helensburgh?
Colin Mackenzie
Role: Save The Tower Team Member, Cinema Volunteer
Background: 18 years of Project Management in Aerospace and Energy Sector. Originally from Lochgilphead, I have loved the mystique and excitement of going to the movies since first seeing the Dark Crystal aged 4 in the long-gone cinema in the town. Subsequently, I lived in Glasgow for 20years including time working in the Odeon on Renfield St and the Cineworld. Eight years ago I moved to Rhu with my wife, 3 kids and the dug!
Favourite Tower Memory: Bringing the kids to our local cinema on a Saturday morning, with a snack box each and a coffee for me. Also, seeing and hearing live bands with the amazing acoustics of the main auditorium – hopefully we can bring many more to play in our very special venue.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: The original Blade Runner. So atmospheric, great performances and a very special score.
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: For a great night of dancing to bangers, I think Glasgow’s CHVRCHES would blow the roof off! Or, for a slower pace, The National would also be fantastic.
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: Kevin Bridges – he’s like everyone’s hilarious mate down the pub, who somehow found himself performing to stadiums! Might be a bit ambitious – but we can try!
Karen McGourlay
Role: Save The Tower Team Member since July 2024. Volunteer at the Tower for the last 2 years.
Background: 23 years as Regional Admin Manager for the charity Enable Scotland prior to this I had various roles in banking sector (and no I wasn’t one of the bankers that received the big bonuses sadly).
I was born in Johnstone and moved to the West End of Glasgow when I was 21. I have lived in Helensburgh for the last 27 years with my husband Steve and 3 sons.
Favourite Tower Memory: I had to go with joint firsts for this question as I have so many great memories.
It has to be Ballet West performing Swan Lake on stage in screen one. A truly breath-taking experience. In joint first place comes Café Improv with Jarvis Cocker. When he sang Disco 2000 the place was bouncing! Over the years I have had so many wonderful days out at the Tower and I’m excited to do this all again one day soon.
Movie I’d most love to see at the Tower: The Breakfast Club. Think I might be stuck in the 80s but not a bad place to be….
Band I’d most love to see at the Tower: Steve has requested Metallica, but failing this, it would be great to see the artists return to the Tower that were at the previous Café Improv days. I’d love to see everyone dancing in the aisles. Watch out for some very embarrassing mum dancing from yours truly.
Comedian I’d most love to see at the Tower: Robert Florence and Iain Connell(we could do this couldn’t we?)