About Us > Who's Who
Ali is the general organiser of all things Funny Wonders. She was one of the first ever youth members way back when it was a Saturday morning make-things-round-the-table-at-Chris-and-Doug’s-house set-up. Since then she has delved in and out around school, university, working and travelling seeing Funny Wonders grow. Her involvement stepped up a notch for ‘The Silk Road’ production in 2008 and since, she has managed projects, became a Director of the company in 2009 and Artistic Director in 2017. Ali studied earth science at university and has a doctorate from the University of Manchester. She now has a number of part-time jobs in Buxton including tour guide, netball coach and administrator.
Artistic Director & Project Manager
Ali Quas-Cohen
Sandra is an accountant. As Financial Director, her role is to establish and supervise all matters relating to finance. This includes monitoring expenditure and supporting project leaders to manage their budgets. She has been involved with Funny Wonders since the days of the voluntary group in 2000. She has watched it grow from being a small entity to where it is today. She is also a support worker behind-the-scenes and is looking forward to all the great potential we have bringing life to many. She became Chair of the Board in 2017.
Financial Director & Chair of the Board
Sandra Worsley
Anna is a mum to three girls, a school nurse and a paediatric nurse. Her involvement with Funny Wonders began with the inception of the voluntary organisation in 2000, which was set up in order to be able to raise funding for a gigantic elephant project called M.A.S.S.I.V.E.. Anna has previously run a Puppet Club at Buxton Infants School and been part of the Changing Faces team. She is now devising new projects for schools and continues to be involved projects in whatever capacity her other commitments allow.
Wellbeing Director
Anna Watson
Laurie has mostly listened to his mum talk about Funny Wonders and has spent a lot of his previous life being dragged around various Funny Wonders events(!) and every now and again gets to be a musician/part time technician. He has graduated from Salford University after studying music and is now a full time musician running workshops, playing in bands, giving private lessons and working with Funny Wonders – his own choice! Laurie is our Musical Director and with Liam Morson, has devised the Recycled Instrument Workshop building instruments from junk and rubbish. His hopes for the future are to continue playing as much music as possible and to be able to feed himself whilst doing it. He is now a drumming teacher based in Manchester.
Musical Director
Laurie Agnew
Marcus is an award-winning artist, actor, puppeteer and writer. His TV puppeteering career began with Jim Henson's 'Puppeteering for Television Workshop' in the mid 80's. In 1989, he set up his own company, ‘Hands Up Puppets and since has been involved with over 70 children¹s TV Series. He has also performed live with Jim Henson’s Company in the improv puppet show ‘Puppet Up!’ and at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His Educational work encompasses lecturing to universities about TV puppetry and teaching in mainstream and SEN schools and he has also taught and made Films with children in secure accommodation. Marcus is a Director of Funny Wonders offering a wealth of experience and advice.
Director
Marcus Clarke
Who's Who
The Board of Directors
Other Practitioners
Jason is an electrical and sound engineer. He first got involved with Funny Wonders by doing our PAT testing for a packet of biscuits. Since he has been involved in projects both technically providing electronic support and as a musician during our community and school workshops.
Technical Support, Musician
Jason Lewis
Liam is a full-time musician and school-friend of Laurie who has been involved with Funny Wonders since 2007 playing in the house band “Shadowhouse” accompanying our summer youth productions. Liam graduated from the University of Birmingham and is involved with developing our musical workshops and accompanying our shadow puppet theatre productions in schools.
Musician
Liam Morson
Our Volunteers
Past Team Members

Joel joined us to support Changing Faces workshops in 2019.
Workshop Support Volunteer
Joel Woodruff

Sarah-May helped at some of our Changing Faces workshops in 2017.
Workshop Support Volunteer
Sarah-May Matthews

Stafani helped at community workshops and events in 2017.
Workshop Support Volunteer
Stafani Barton

Lorraine helped Anna run the Buxton Infants School Puppet Club and helped in the carnival parades. Lorraine sadly passed away in 2020.
Volunteer
Lorraine Butcher

Lysbeth is an artist from Marple. She first got involved with Funny Wonders in 2013 and helps us with our community events.
Volunteer
Lysbeth Black

Charlie was involved with Funny Wonders between the ages of eleven and eighteen being a member of the Youth Group and then a volunteer.
Volunteer
Charlie Denton

Caroline joined Funny Wonders in 2013 helping out with the P.O.P.P.I.T. project, carnival and the Buxton Puppet Festival.
Volunteer
Caroline Keightley

Charlotte was involved for many years attending workshops and working with the Youth Group. She became part of our team working in schools in 2012.
Workshop Leader, Artist
Charlotte Emily

Chris founded Funny Wonders. Sadly she passed away in June 2012. Please see our dedication page to Chris here.
Co-founder, Director
Chris Agnew

Aya, a theatre artist specialising in puppetry, masks and scenic design, helped to deliver youth projects between 2009 and 2011.
Workshop Leader, Artist
Aya Nakamura

Karen helped run the Youth Group in 2010 and 2011.
Youth Group Support Volunteer
Karen Millward

Angie ran workshops for many years with Funny Wonders but then emigrated to Australia! Boo!
Workshop Leader
Angela Pearson

As an Agnew, Kieran was inevitably a Funny Wonderer as a kid. He performed in Sinbad and was part of our 'Shadowhouse' band in 2008.
Musician
Kieran Agnew

Carol was one of the first Directors of Funny Wonders Inc.. Her advice, experience and guidance was irreplaceable.
Director
Carol Taylor-Bruce

Corinne worked with the Youth Group in 2009 on 'The Owl and the Pussycat' Showcase and helped with script writing, acting and physical theatre.
Workshop Leader
Corinne Howard

Ruby was involved with Funny Wonders throughout the 00's leading musical and textile workshops.
Workshop Leader
Ruby Moon

Jon was the first Chair of Funny Wonders Inc. and was instrumental in creating the Community Interest Company in 2008-2009.
Chair of the Board
Jon Taylor

Lucy was part of the group who travelled to Sapporo and she helped with the technical side of 'The Silk Road' production.
Technical Support
Lucy Hill

Tricia worked with the Youth Group for 'The Silk Road' production exploring movement and dance choreography.
Workshop Leader
Tricia Durdey

Al was involved in many projects with Funny Wonders between 2007 and 2009.
Volunteer
Alan Hindle