MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SPLENDID NEW YEAR
Dear All,
We are writing to inform you of some exciting news and developments. We are in the process of purchasing 50 St Leonard’s Gate in Lancaster that is at present attached (joined) to Kings House where we are based at present and have first refusal on this ideal space, next to good parking and pedestrian access. This purchase will allow us not only to offer more classes, workshops and expand The Summer School but also service a greater age group for longer and have a welcoming meeting place for families, a repertory of children’s theatre suitable for 2 years upwards, a café with opportunities for children’s parties and private hires of the 150 seater theatre and a friends and families club. We have to, however, buy the space which is at present £250,000 and the development of the space will come to £1.1 million, approx £1000 per square metre. This of course will be phased into smaller, manageable amounts over a few years. At present we have a feasibility study underway, new business plans drawn up and funding bids going in – with the help of Creative Lancashire, part of Lancashire county council. All very exciting and I know some of you expressed an interest in fund-raising and we would appreciate any suggestions and help you can give. One of the ways is to sell Whirlwind Cards at your schools, or fairs, of if you own shops or have your own theatre, castle or chain of retail stores. Another way is to simply shop on-line with easyfundraising.org.uk This is a shopping directory that features some favourite online stores, including Amazon, NEXT, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys’R’Us, HMV and over 500 others. All you have to do is use the links on the easyfundraising site whenever you shop online and with no extra cost, we'll receive a free donation of up to 15% from every purchase you make. It’s entirely free to register and use and you still shop with each retailer in exactly the same way. All you need to do is visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/whirlwind and when you register, select Whirlwind Theatre for Children as the organisation you wish to support – so here’s to you spending ‘loadsamoney’…All the money will go directly into a building fund. If you have any other ideas such as sponsored Shakespeare reading in the bath or singing the entire works by Sondheim whilst standing on one leg in a bus queue etc. or willing to auction your entire family’s heir-looms please let us know and we will gratefully consider your suggestions.
The workshops and summer school will be carrying on as usual but in temporary accommodation within Lancaster, information on the new site will be available in the New Year. We are hoping to raise the age groups this summer but have an older group later on in the afternoon i.e. grouping. 6 – 11s together and then the 12 – 17’s but will keep you posted on this. We are looking to do a play by David Wood OBE, our patron, who some of you might remember meeting at the end of ‘The Light House Keepers Lunch’.
We have a new website being developed at present and a ‘blog’ which you will be able to add your comments to or submit articles – The ‘Blog’ will be updated regularly and will keep you up-to-date with workshops, Summer School, fund-raising and the building .etc. We are looking to have an online booking for workshops by the New Year – There will be early-bird and multiple booking discounts through this online system and a list of merchandise including plays, props and costumes for hire.
Other exciting developments are firstly our educational programme launching this January with cross-curricular workshops using storytelling techniques and providing lesson plans and workshop ideas. We already have a partnership with St Johns school in Pilling. A tour is also planned for October 08 having finished writing ‘The Stork’s Tale – Samuel and David’ loosely based upon the biblical characters, because we like Ancient Kings and Scary Giants, but through the eyes of Stalks as in traditional fairy tales. It has many memorable songs, audience participation and suitable for ages 2 – 90 years inclusive.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope to see you all in the New Year!
All the theatrical best
From Mike and Myette at
Whirlwind Theatre for Children
