May Update Email
Dear all
We are delighted to be back in touch with you all with an update on where we are now and to get moving on our next big challenge – fundraising!
RBWM meeting
But first, a massive thank you to everyone who turned up at the council meeting with RBWM on 24 April: our four valiant speakers – Peter, Jane, Jeni and Alan; our local councillors and prospective parliamentary candidates who came along to contribute, support and guide; local journalists who we are indebted to for following the campaign’s progress; and our wonderful community supporters who left RBWM in no doubt about the strength of feeling around the Novello.
Celebrating the big wins!
Although we didn’t get the financial outcome we were hoping for, we remain motivated and focused on the wider wins and bigger picture.
Firstly, we need to pause and celebrate that the council has heard and responded to our ask to prioritise the sale of the Novello to the local community; this is a huge achievement. From the council response and the discussion in the room, it really feels as though the overwhelming local desire to expand beyond the Cordes Hall and run the two venues side-by-side, in a complementary fashion, has hit home.
Secondly, we are delighted the Novello has been granted the status of an Asset of Community Value (ACV), helping to protect its future use.
Finally, we appreciate the ongoing commitment, cooperation and engagement with RBWM representatives as we look ahead to our fundraising and – if all goes to plan – potential purchase of the theatre.
Fundraising
Which brings us onto the core focus for the next six months – raising the capital required to purchase and then subsequently renovate the theatre. For clarity, we need to secure £300,000 by the end of October 2024 for the purchase and we are working on an estimated repairs and renovation target of an additional £300,000, albeit with more flexibility on the timelines.
This group has been invaluable in offering suggestions, support and sustenance to our core team and we are turning to you again for your input and guidance.
In the spirit of being candid and open with everyone, our previous experience has taught us that we have a better chance of success if we aim to really kickstart our fundraising with looking at larger donations. As some of you will know from our previous community meetings, we are absolutely thrilled to have already been offered a very generous donation of £100,000 which is the best start we could have hoped for. Respecting the wishes of the donor, we are keeping the source anonymous. We are also delighted to be in discussions with our local parish councils to explore potential options or routes through which they may be able to offer financial assistance and we are also in contact with a number of local charitable bodies.
What would really help us now is to make best use of all the inroads and connections we have within this community to identify organisations or groups which may be able to offer grants or further donations. If you can offer a personal introduction to an institution or individual you think we should talk to, please do let us know (contact@savenph.org).
Secondly, we will be establishing a fundraising committee to help suggest and organize functions and activities which could generate funds. If you have an interest or any experience in this area and would be happy to help on a regular or ad hoc basis, please do get in touch. Once we have this sub-team up and running, we will update everyone on the ideas we have had and seek feedback and support.
Creating a flexible community space
Beyond fundraising, we are now returning to the initial data we gathered around how the local community would like to see the Novello used in conjunction with the Cordes Hall. We gathered local feedback as part of our ACV application to the council and are now digging into the initial results in more detail. We will be reaching out to local schools and community groups but again, if you have any connections to other local groups who you think would be willing to share their thoughts, please could you let us have your suggestions.
Finally, while we are on the topic of how to make best use of our local assets, we would like to draw your attention to the upcoming Quince Players production at the Cordes Hall which opens on Thursday 9 May. QP productions are highly rated and anticipated in the local area so if you haven’t had the opportunity to see one before, we encourage you to go along and witness first-hand the talent we have in our local community. An excellent and timely reminder of why we are so keen to realise the potential of our local venues and encourage more of the same
Thank you once again for all the tremendous support you have shown the campaign to date and for your ongoing commitment to the Novello.
Best regards
Alan Everett
Campaign Coordinator