Burntwood's £300K Arts Blast: Sing, Dance, and Create Together!

Burntwood is about to become a much more creative and lively place, thanks to a new three-year arts project called Creative Burntwood. This project is being organized by the Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Lichfield District Council, and Burntwood Town Council, with nearly three hundred thousand pounds in funding from Arts Council England. The main aim is to turn Burntwood into a hub of entertainment, learning, and collaboration, offering a wide range of activities like singing, shows, and workshops for people of all ages.

To kick things off, there will be a drop-in event at Chase Terrace Community Centre on January 14th, running from 2:30 pm to 9:30 pm. There will be two main presentations, one at 3:00 pm and another at 7:00 pm, where organizers will explain what the project is all about. They promise plenty of free and affordable creative opportunities, especially for children. The project will use several locations around the town, including the library, rugby club, leisure centre, community centre, and local churches, to host a variety of activities.

Some of the highlights include interactive story-telling sessions for young children with The Story Detectives, puppet shows with the Puppet Petting Farm, and a magician act by The Great Baldini. Adults can look forward to performances like Sherlock Holmes: The Death and Life, Gav Cross's War of the Worlds, and a special show by Nicola Keen celebrating the famous comedienne Joyce Grenfell. Music lovers can also join a taster session with the Creative Burntwood Community Choir.

Volunteers are working closely with the project organizers to help plan and run these activities. Daniel Buckroyd, CEO and artistic director of Lichfield Garrick Theatre, said that Burntwood is a brilliant community full of untapped creativity and potential. He believes this project will open doors for people of all ages to get involved, try new things, and feel part of something special.

Denise Orton Brown, the project manager, has been meeting with many local organizations and people to gather ideas for the first year. She says the project is being shaped by local voices and spaces, and as more people get involved, even more ideas are coming in. The hope is that Creative Burntwood will help people connect with their local heritage, improve creative education, and offer new experiences like a youth theatre program.

Arts Council England says this project is part of its Place Partnership programme, which uses National Lottery money to support large-scale cultural projects. The goal is to connect people to their community through workshops, performances, and creative learning. If you have ideas or want to get involved, the organizers encourage you to reach out. This is a unique opportunity for everyone in Burntwood to help shape the future of their town and make it a true hub of creativity and entertainment.