Honour For Community Arts In Merton
Council and theatre partnership is highly commended
Merton Council, in partnership with the New Wimbledon Theatre and the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust, were highly commended for their community arts work at a prestigious awards ceremony.
They had been shortlisted in the Municipal Journal Achievement Awards for the Public Private Partnership Achievement of the Year.
They were highly commended for their 'Raising Aspiration Through The Arts' project, which brought together local people, organisations and groups combining facilities, expertise and enthusiasm for the arts to improve cultural opportunities within the borough.
It included the introduction of ‘Community lets’ at New Wimbledon Theatre, which allows community groups to use the theatre at affordable prices. The provision of outreach education programmes funded through Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust seeking to empower local young people and contribute towards raising their aspirations through the arts’ was also part of the project.
The main award winners were Impact Partnership and Link4Life from Rochdale, and they were presented with their prize by Michael Portillo at the gala awards night at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane.
Pictured at the ceremony are (left to right): Mike Rappolt (Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust trustee), Christine Parsloe (London Borough of Merton), Asheq Akhtar (LBM), Emily Miller-Matcham (LBM), John Simpson (WCTT trustee), Christina Lydon (New Wimbledon Theatre), Maralyn Sarrington (New Wimbledon Theatre), Keith Munro (New Wimbledon Theatre).
Merton Council’s cabinet member for community and culture, Cllr Martin Wheltan, said: "Merton's submission exemplified how the arts community are working together with the council to widen and improve cultural opportunities for residents. I’d like to congratulate and thank all of our staff and partners in being recognised for this tremendous achievement."
July 8, 2010