Colne church to launch performing arts venue (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Colne church to launch performing arts venue

10:35am Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Colne By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A PENDLE church is hoping to create a song and dance when it launches a new performing arts venue later this month.

Holy Trinity Church, in Burnley Road, Colne, is creating its performing arts area to allow local musicians and actors to practise and perform.

The move follows the closure of Nelson and Colne College’s music and vocational performing arts departments last year.

The Rev Anthony William said: “We are really lucky to have so many musically gifted people as part of our congregation.

“There is definitely a lack of provision for these groups, especially now that the music department at the college has closed.

“We have a building that is under-used so it makes sense to lend it to the community.

"Groups will be asked to make small contributions to lighting and heating costs but primarily we want to help the community make the most of a new resource.”

Lynne Mitchell, parish development officer, said: “It will be somewhere to hold performances and concerts as well as a place for local bands, musicians or drama clubs to practise.

“For the first year, we are running it as a pilot but we have had a lot of interest so far. The acoustics are fantastic.”

The college’s music and vocational performing arts departments were axed last year in a bid to save money, and they were chosen because of the relatively low student demand.

The church hopes to make modifications to the building using local community grants, and make a bid to become a new concert venue holding audiences of up to 250 people.

The first concert for the new venue takes place on Wednesday January 25, at 7.30pm.

Local musicians Neil Young and Ben Kearsley will perform a selection of classical and bossa nova arrangements for the guitar.

The performance will be followed by wine and cheese and a chance to chat about ideas for future events.