Plough Arts Centre celebrates £80k of National Lottery funding

The Plough Arts Centre is celebrating after being awarded £80k in National Lottery funding to support its work across two years.

The Plough, based in Torrington but with hubs in multiple locations across North Devon and Torridge will use the money to support their core activity and to press ahead with particular activities such as offering signed performances, increasing the number of free youth workshops and working with a wider range of people.

The Plough has been running since 1975 so is approaching its 50th anniversary. It recently received regular funding from Arts Council England and Torridge District adding to the regular funding it receives from Torrington Town Lands, Torrington Town and Barnstaple Town Councils and a host of other individuals, organizations and businesses.

From feeling that its existence was in jeopardy during the pandemic it is working hard to bring its programme and audiences back up to pre pandemic levels and secure its future.

For more information on what The Plough does visit the website at www.theploughartscentre.org.uk or take a look at the latest brochure.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, recognizes the role that the Plough plays in reducing isolation and providing a place to socialize.

The centre's director, Richard Wolfenden Brown, said: "We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to engage more people – particularly younger people and those with disabilities – in activities of all kinds.

"This is a busy period for us and a lot of our work goes under the radar of the general public. We have also recently received grants from the Claire Milne Trust, The Balsdon Trust and the Elmgrant Trust. With this support we will be able to host the theatre company Frozen Light who work with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

"We will also be starting to run drama sessions with Madewell (www.made-well.co.uk) as well as continuing our regular drama and dance workshops for people with disabilities. Our youth work is going from strength to strength."

Bella (aged 12) and a member of our youth council 'Plough The Future' said: "The Plough is an essential part of Torrington and its surrounding areas. It's a lovely creative, community space in which you can go to watch a play, a musical and a movie or look around the art gallery as well as do various creative workshops. But I also find it a nice space to sit back in the cafe and relax with some cake!

"The Plough has given kids like me so many fun and exciting things to do. I myself do a drama club there, various dance clubs, a script writing club and of course Plough of the Future, a group of young people helping organise events for the younger generation. But of course The Plough is not just for children but for adults and the older generation. It is safe to say that The Plough does not discriminate and welcomes all in.

"Over the many years since I have started going to The Plough at age two to three it has become like a second home to me and many others. It is because of that I found my passion and talent for acting and performing on stage. Not to mention the life long friends I have made along the way."