Boost for Blackburn theatre roof appeal

6:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in Blackburn Photograph of the Author By John Anson, Features editor

Boost for Blackburn theatre roof appeal Boost for Blackburn theatre roof appeal

A LEADING East Lancashire theatre’s appeal to raise funds for a brand new roof has been given a major boost.

The Empire Builders Appeal aims to raise £25,000 for the project at the Thwaites Empire Theatre at Ewood.

The former cinema has been transformed from a virtually derelict shell to a thriving community resource in just over 10 years. The new roof will be the final part in the jigsaw.

Blackburn Musical Theatre Company, which rehearses at the adjoining performing arts centre and regularly stages shows at the theatre, has kick-started the appeal with chairman Gary Worthy handing over £1,000.

Theatre manager Paul Mason said: “This is a marvellous gesture from the society. The public has always responded magnificently to our appeals in the past and I’m sure they will get behind this one. We are hopfeul that more organisations and businesses will follow the theatre group’s lead and donate £1,000 but every penny we get is so valuable that no donation is too small. Our Just Giving site is now available too and I’d urge anyone making a donation to sign up to it as their donations will be worth even more.”

Theatre volunteer David Lloyd who often works front of house for shows also presented a substantial donation but requested that the amount is not revealed. For more on the Empire Builders Appeal visit www.thwaitesempire theatre.co.uk.

Comments (6)

8:39am Thu 28 Feb 13

Joseph O'M says...

It'd be great top get the lovely old ornate parapet (if that's what you'd call it) put back in place (as can be seen here http://www.thwaitese
mpiretheatre.co.uk/a
rchive.html )
It'd be great top get the lovely old ornate parapet (if that's what you'd call it) put back in place (as can be seen here http://www.thwaitese mpiretheatre.co.uk/a rchive.html ) Joseph O'M

8:54am Thu 28 Feb 13

hasslem hasslem says...

as a kid and young adult - i used to go past this derelict building on the bus and it fell apart a little more with every passing year....there was no prospect of it opening again as any sort of venue as it was falling apart and in a forgotten part of town.

the transformation of the theatre has been fantastic and a real congratulations should be extended to all those that had the vision and belief that it could be a going concern.

i hope the people concerned get the £25k needed for the roof and hope the theatre continues in its success.

i also hope that the people who live locally make use of this facility and it is not just people from mellor and wilpshire that show up.
as a kid and young adult - i used to go past this derelict building on the bus and it fell apart a little more with every passing year....there was no prospect of it opening again as any sort of venue as it was falling apart and in a forgotten part of town. the transformation of the theatre has been fantastic and a real congratulations should be extended to all those that had the vision and belief that it could be a going concern. i hope the people concerned get the £25k needed for the roof and hope the theatre continues in its success. i also hope that the people who live locally make use of this facility and it is not just people from mellor and wilpshire that show up. hasslem hasslem

1:47pm Thu 28 Feb 13

noddy57 says...

hasslem hasslem wrote:
as a kid and young adult - i used to go past this derelict building on the bus and it fell apart a little more with every passing year....there was no prospect of it opening again as any sort of venue as it was falling apart and in a forgotten part of town.

the transformation of the theatre has been fantastic and a real congratulations should be extended to all those that had the vision and belief that it could be a going concern.

i hope the people concerned get the £25k needed for the roof and hope the theatre continues in its success.

i also hope that the people who live locally make use of this facility and it is not just people from mellor and wilpshire that show up.
l went with my dad in 1963 to see Jason and the Argonauts, It was called the Ewood Empire,,great memories,,hope they manage to scrape the cash together for the roof,
[quote][p][bold]hasslem hasslem[/bold] wrote: as a kid and young adult - i used to go past this derelict building on the bus and it fell apart a little more with every passing year....there was no prospect of it opening again as any sort of venue as it was falling apart and in a forgotten part of town. the transformation of the theatre has been fantastic and a real congratulations should be extended to all those that had the vision and belief that it could be a going concern. i hope the people concerned get the £25k needed for the roof and hope the theatre continues in its success. i also hope that the people who live locally make use of this facility and it is not just people from mellor and wilpshire that show up.[/p][/quote]l went with my dad in 1963 to see Jason and the Argonauts, It was called the Ewood Empire,,great memories,,hope they manage to scrape the cash together for the roof, noddy57

6:31pm Thu 28 Feb 13

phil kernot says...

This is good news , one of blackburns most famous land marks
This is good news , one of blackburns most famous land marks phil kernot

1:34pm Fri 1 Mar 13

arrod baw says...

Pull it down its an eyesore just like the Venkydome.
Pull it down its an eyesore just like the Venkydome. arrod baw

4:19pm Fri 1 Mar 13

god Im bored says...

Gary Worthy was the best & most influential teacher I ever had, fantastic times at Cedar Street School, in the 1960's many moons ago. Great to see you are still doing good in the community Gary, well done!!
Gary Worthy was the best & most influential teacher I ever had, fantastic times at Cedar Street School, in the 1960's many moons ago. Great to see you are still doing good in the community Gary, well done!! god Im bored

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