Tim Miller must surely by now be realising he has been thoroughly and resoundingly manipulated – but is he brave enough to admit it?
We exposed all three of these people in a recent article, followed by another article comprised of a lengthy statement from a recent user of the premises about his experiences there. Other people have recognised our accounts as being similar to theirs. We thought this must be the case; it only remained for others to tell us.
Today, I spoke at length to someone whose name has been passed to those organisations with a vested interest in both the CIC and North Art.
The conversation began when I introduced myself and the response was “Before you say anything, I know exactly your pain.” I needed to find out if that was indeed the case.
My partner in conversation went on to tell me they had worked with ‘Boris’ Mark Cruse and Amanda Burton and her partner Stuart for years. It was not an enjoyable experience. A warning was given on the first day: that Cruse was seriously dangerous. Why so dangerous? Because his charming facade was so convincing. If he could gain something from it; if he recognised that someone was vulnerable, needy for praise and compliments, the charm offensive kicked in. If the victim was competent, talented or had good ideas, the abuse would begin, with Burton as first assistant alongside her partner.
In turn, Burton and her partner did Cruse’s admin and reporting for him. Cruse is not known for his work ethic, but he is known for spouting nonsense. Not many know this, but ‘Boris’ wasn’t allowed to teach. He simply wasn’t good enough. That can’t be so, said I! He’s delivering life drawing classes. My partner in conversation explained there really is no actual teaching involved in life drawing. Is that right? I think it might be!
I was told Cruse often slept upstairs and that he and Amanda had a room up there that no-one else was allowed to enter. Bear in mind that the pair were working at that time for a CHARITY. There is no suggestion that the pair’s relationship was anything other than needy colleagues.
Cruse was ‘let go’ from Inkwell and after being given some advice on how to keep his job, reinstated. Eighteen months later, he was ‘let go’ again, when he was investigated a second time for bullying.
Amanda, it was said, just wants you gone if she cannot benefit from your presence. If you are no use to her, you are out, no matter how valuable you are to those the organisation serves. My partner in conversation said you are simply told ‘You are the problem.”
You are cut out of meetings, not invited to them, you suffer a torrent of micro exclusions and aggressions and told that you don’t belong. You are left without stock for the bar on the evening of your event and when you go to call a friend for help to make a trip to the off licence, you are told there is no alcohol licence for the event.
Cruse, Burton and her partner allegedly took the money from the sale of other people’s art, which didn’t always end up with the artists. (Shades of Miller’s antics here. I wonder who taught who?) It is said they wanted to give the impression that Inkwell was doing well. (Remember the landlord of the Northlight building and his comment about Cruse, money and business.
Exhibitions were too much of a challenge for Burton and Cruse. Any situation in which they were supposed to be working and they became flaky and unable to cope. Others had to do their jobs for them.
This one is interesting for Miller – when someone from Cruse and Burton’s Inkwell years turned up at Northlight looking to take one of the studios at No.31, they were rude to her and sent her away. I have her name. She obviously had their number!
Most of the bullying and demeaning tactics described to me mirror Paul’s experience with these people. They have extended their range for these more recent years. The imperative is to stop this happening to any more people.
So – rather than change their ways, Cruse and Burton have instead infected Miller, probably by flattery and praise. Miller will sense the resonation now, I think. His problem is that he doesn’t want to admit he’s made a monumental error of judgment.
How many more people can tell us similar stories? How many people an we prevent from having to go through similar dreadfulness? Strangely, it helps to know Paul was not the only one, but it doesn’t help to know that others might suffer if nothing is done about this.
If you know of someone, please ask them to get in touch with me. If it is your own experience, please contact me to tell me about it. We will not use your name without your permission, other than to give it to organisations who can take any necessary action. We must conduct ourselves within the law. We have taken expert advice and there is no question of slander or libel or defamation if what is being said or written is supported by evidence from lived experiences or auditable records.
From what I have already discovered, I think I can expect some more emails. There must come a point at which those particular three occupying the Northlight premises are held properly to account. I heard there was an Inkwell Survivors Group. Please say hello! Please meet the pending Northlight Survivors Group.
Is it time for the Chapel Allerton communities to unite in recognising injustice – and avoid the premises altogether?
MR
August 2026
This was the beauty of the exterior of the rear of the building…..
The main image shows a building now devoid of any sense of community; any sense of the joy of art; any sense of hope.
