Following the recent donation of £100,000 from the Soroptimists, another Local Trust has come forward to also support the building of Lowther Pavilion’s Community and Education Studio with a £25,000 donation.
Tim Lince, Lowther Pavilion’s CEO and Artistic Director, said: “It’s fantastic that so many local Trusts and charities have been inspired by our redevelopment plans and have come forward to support the new Community and Education Studio.”
The Education Centre and Studio Theatre has been in planning since before the Pandemic, with the foundations beginning last November when Michael Portillo put the spade in the soil.
Since then the foundations for the building have been completed and the Lowther Gardens (Lytham) Trust have embarked on bold fundraising appeal to complete the new building and re-imagine Lowther Pavilion for future generations.
“The cheque was left in an envelope on my desk whist I was out at meetings, so you can imagine the surprise! It’s a real boost to our fundraising and shows how much of the local community share the belief in our plans for this iconic addition to local education and community facilities.”
Despite the Lowther Pavilion detailing three key stages of development, the building of the Community and Education Studio became priority following the pandemic with the realisation that both young and older people were struggling with social interaction and mental health. Once open the building will support creative education right across the Fylde as well as providing community space for cultural activities. A full programme has been developed for the Studio and test projects are already up and running with more to be launched over the next three months.
“Workshops with local schools, dementia groups, youth theatre’s, local aspiring writers and technical training are just some of the projects already running and these are being added to with the training of park guides and our outdoor Education offerings.”
“We are hoping that if funding allows the building will be ready for operation next June and will be a fully interactive space that will work with and enhance the beautiful gardens that it sits in.”
If you would like to know more about the building of the Community and Education Studio, it’s programme and how you may be able to support its work or the fundraising, please contact Tim Lince CEO/Artistic Director on tim@lowtherpavilion.co.uk or 01253 794221.