Volunteers rally round to support under threat Highlights

Local volunteers have been shocked and disappointed by Eden District Council’s decision not to fund the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme in the area but they are determined to find ways of continuing performances across the area beyond the current season.

Over 20 volunteers representing village halls across Eden gathered at the Highlights offices in Appleby-in-Westmorland  to discuss the implications of the funding cuts and to share their ideas for the future. 

Such is the grassroots support for the Highlights scheme, which brings professional theatre, music, dance and children’s events to village halls across the district and beyond, that volunteer promoters have agreed to give up even more of their time to support the scheme.

Co-Director, Barbara Slack said “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of local people, who already promote and manage these events in their own time.  There was a strong feeling at the meeting that every hall should be supported, not just the ones which attract large audiences, but also the more isolated villages and towns with lower levels of engagement.  Promoters unanimously agreed to support each other in whatever ways they could and to ensure that the variety and diversity of the current programme continues in Eden.  It’s a big ask to expect volunteers to fundraise as well as everything else and we will be doing everything we can to put funding and sponsorship in place to continue to support activities in Eden’s village halls.”

“Village hall performances are special evenings that add an extra dimension to activities in the community,” agrees Janet Wood, promoter for Shap.  “The quality is as high as anywhere but the atmosphere is informal, friendly and welcoming and you will be chatting to the performers as well as your neighbours in the interval.  If you haven’t been to a Highlights event yet, pick up a brochure or go on the website www.highlightsnorth.co.uk and find out where your nearest venue is and what’s coming to a hall on your doorstep.”

Highlights isn’t just about performances: the annual Contemporary Craft Tour brings nationally-recognised artists and makers to a village hall in the district.  This year’s Craft Tour, entitled Vanguard, visits Eden with a weekend in Dufton Village Hall at the beginning of May.  Vanguard features four artists who have exploded their traditional craft heritage by applying their creativity with the tools of modern technology.

“Whether it’s the Craft Tour or the performance, Highlights isn’t going to disappear,” says Barbara Slack, “but the reduction in funding at a local level is bound to affect services.   Halls which are in the more isolated parts of the district and in areas of lower income could be at risk as could the more unusual shows and those aimed at young families. 

"We are still exploring every route that we can to find new sources of funding and subsidy – from local business sponsorship to text giving.  The network of volunteers is determined to keep things going and growing and the Highlights team will be doing all it can to back up their work.”
Just Text Giving enables anyone wishing to support Highlights to simply text 70070 and type in HIGH25 followed by the amount they wish to give which can be anything between £1 and £5, or £10.  Full details are online at www.highlightsnorth.co.uk or call the Highlights offices in Appleby on 01768 353954 if you would like to make a donation.