'MADD' youngsters launch youth group

11:13am Saturday 16th February 2008

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Members of Astley MADD - Music Art Drama and Dance - productions have launched their very own youth group designed for young people and run by young people.

The group who operate from Chorley Community Centre, Railway Street, Chorley; offer music, art, drama and dance workshops and activities.

Formed in 2006, the group made a highly successful black and white silent movie, "Why Did The Tatton's Leave", based around the Tatton family who lived at Astley Hall.

The filming in Astley even attracted BBC TV and radio interest.

Two more films followed in 2007 - "The Tudors" and "A Primary School Musical".

Their latest venture opened on Thursday, January 24, and the weekly sessions have already seen the group's membership increased.

Open to young people aged 10 and over, the weekly club runs from 6.30pm-8pm.

Encouragment and support has come from Astley Village Action co-ordinator Mark Perks, South Lancs Arts Partnership officer Michelle Graham and producers Bron Edge and Faye Capstick.

Mark said: "The group have been eagerly waiting to start their latest venture, it's all their ideas and that's what proving to be making this group so successful.

"They are a brilliant, friendly, extremely keen and talented group who come from all over Chorley."

Funding for the project has been secured by the young people themselves who applied for Youth Opportunities Funding from Lancashire County Council.

The group have designed their own programme of activities and the first six weeks will see the members putting together a performance that will be performed live on April 18 at the centre.

The show will be based upon Modern Fairy Tales.

If you are interested in joining the group, call in one Thursday to see for yourself what's on offer.

Or contact mark on mark.perks@cc.lancscc.gov.uk or michelle@southlancs.org or visit the website via the link below.