PENDLE Hippodrome Theatre company has secured the future of its rehearsal rooms at Colne Ambulance Hall following two years of negotiations.

The hall will now be governed by a new trust which has been set up by the main users which include the theatre company, youth theatre, Helen Green Academy of Dance and Colne First Aid.

The trust is drawing up exciting new plans for the hall and will offer facilities to existing and new users to generate income and secure the future of the building for years to come.

A spokesman for the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre Company says the theatre needs to generate its own hire income so is unavailable for use on a weekly basis by the thespians. Hence the need for rehearsal rooms.

If anyone is interested in hiring the building the new trust Secretary is Youth Theatre Chairman Bev Hemmingway. Contact her at Colne Ambulance Hall Trust, Midgeley Street, Colne BB8 0HZ or email her at colnehat.gmail.com.

The theatre company recently held its Long Service Awards presentation at The Calf’s Head at Worston. Theatre Company Chairman Keith Walton presented National Opera and Dramatic Association Long Service Awards to husband and wife Paul and Fiona Thompson for 30 years service.

Paul is a member of the theatre’s board of directors and Fiona is a member of the Theatre Company Committee. She will direct the company’s June 2015 production, The Vicar of Dibley.

An introduction to The Vicar of Dibley evening will be held in the theatre bar on Tuesday, January 13 at 7.30pm, when visitors can meet Fiona who will give a brief outline of the play. On Tuesday, January 20, there will be a casting read through in the theatre bar for anyone wanting to take part.

The company’s next production is the musical comedy Sweet Charity on March 17-21. The lead role will be played by Jessica Balderstone, who played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar. Josh Hindle plays her “would be” suitor Oscar. It will be directed by Richard Sanderson with Lisa Manley as Musical Director and Helen Cheung will choreograph the dance routines.

The youth theatre will present Phantom of the Opera on February 18-21.

For tickets call 01282 612402.