www.savenph.org    https://www.facebook.com/facebook.comSaveTheNovello

The ePetition - Save the Sunninghill Picture House / Novello Theatre (moderngov.co.uk) - Petition Now Closed and Successful  Social Media and Website tech on team contact@savenph.org

A huge crowd (in excess of 225 people),  packed the Cordes Hall, Sunninghill in January 2024, to hear that the Novello Theatre - The Picture House, donated to the community in 1920 by local resident, Stuart McNair's grandparents - is in danger of being sold to developers by RBWM, thereby depriving the local residents of a much-needed community facility . There was a very strong feeling that it could complement the Cordes Hall facilities and managed in a similar way. Great improvements have been achieved at the CordesHall - thanks to Jane Richardson and her team. The Novello is currently in a bad state of repair - asbestos-clad, with no seating and a dodgy roof  - as the long-time lessee has not maintained it and owners, RBWM ,- have failed to ensure it was properly maintained. 

The Proposal of the meeting was to restore the Novello Theatre, (The Picture House) as a venue to be used for the benefit of the local community. Linking The Picture House and Cordes Hall, creating a community hub/venue in Sunninghill. Offering a vibrant and varied programme of Live Performance, Cinema, Clubs, Classes, and other community services.

The Aims of Meeting were to  inform the local community of the current situation and to recruit a working group to move the project forward. Organisers were overwhelmed with offers of support. 

Much progress has been made since this meeting: To list but a few of these achievements; .....

Read more: Save the Novello Picture House | Website & Facebook Page Now Live

Pictured Above: Rotary Ascot | Young Musicians 2024

The Ascot Rotary Club once again held its Local Heat of the Young Musician Competition on Monday January 29th at Heathfield School, Ascot. The competition was split into two events i.e. Young Instrumentalist and Young Vocalist. Because of numerous entrants the competition started at 18.30 and was very well attended. Heathfield School put on a very welcome initial tea and coffee for supporters and Ms Sarah Wilson, Headteacher welcomed everyone attending .  The panel of judges comprised Geoff Horton (Head Judge), Linda Hannah-Anderson and Graham Smith.

Schools taking part were: Papplewick, Licensed Victuallers School, Luckley House, Heathfield and St, Mary's Convent 

There were six competitors for the Instrumentalist category with four pianists, one clarinetist and one trumpeter. This competition was hard- fought and after a long debate on the part of the judges, Imogen Horrocks, Clarinetist,  won the category. She played brilliantly and in particular, excelled in the Allegro Molto by Witthold Lutoslawski - which received special mention. Thomas Haywood, Trumpeter,  came second with a spirited rendition of the Hummel Concerto, first movement.

Pictured Above | Winning Vocalist  - Archie Wooldridge

Pictured Above| Winning Instrumentalist was Imogen Horrocks (clarinet) 

Read more: Young Musician Competition 2024 | Rotary Ascot

Royal Borough thanks community for feedback in response to challenging parking proposals | The Royal Borough would like to thank everyone who took part in the recent public consultation on changes to Parking fees and charges.

The council is facing serious financial challenges, driven by a number of factors, including historic decisions which have resulted in low levels of Council Tax, high levels of debt, and low levels of reserves. This is coupled with rising demand, and rising costs of providing services across Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and housing.

Achieving financial stability is the council’s top priority and intensive work continues to put the organisation on to a surer financial footing. Cabinet and Full Council agreed an Action Plan to address the financial challenges in September. This includes transforming the way in which we deliver services, maximising value from our assets and increasing income from fees and charges. It is in this difficult context, that parking charges have been considered.

Read more: RBWM Parking Charges | Changes from February 5th

The ePetition - Save the Sunninghill Picture House / Novello Theatre (moderngov.co.uk) - Now Closed and Successful

Social Media and Website tech on team contact@savenph.org

Websitewww.savenph.org Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/facebook.comSaveTheNovello

A huge crowd packed the Cordes Hall, Sunninghill in January 2024, to hear that the Novello Theatre - The Picture House, donated to the community in 1920 by local resident, Stuart McNair's grandparents - is in danger of being sold to developers by RBWM, thereby depriving the local residents of a much-needed community facility . There was a very strong feeling that it could complement the Cordes Hall facilities and managed in a similar way. Great improvements have been achieved at the CordesHall - thanks to Jane Richardson and her team. The Novello is currently in a bad state of repair - asbestos-clad, with no seating and a dodgy roof  - as the long-time lessee has not maintained it and owners, RBWM ,- have failed to ensure it was properly maintained. A huge effort by the community is needed now to create CHANT - Community Hub at Novello Theatre !

The Proposal of the meeting was to restore the Novello Theatre, (The Picture House) as a venue to be used for the benefit of the local community. Linking The Picture House and Cordes Hall, creating a community hub/venue in Sunninghill. Offering a vibrant and varied programme of Live Performance, Cinema, Clubs, Classes, and other community services.

The Aims of Meeting were to  inform the local community of the current situation and to recruit a working group to move the project forward. Organisers were overwhelmed with offers of support. 

Those present were encouraged, as a matter of urgency  to write to local councillors, MD of the RBWM- owned Property Company, Ian.Brazier-Dubber@rbwm.gov.uk  and to SIGN the petition - which had already reached the required 1,000 signatures by the end of the meeting.  Another progress meeting will be convened shortly . Watch this space!

Organisers of the meeting made it plain that an alternative community plan needs to be in place by late March, if it is to head off a sale to developers. The meeting was told there has been very little time to pull this together so far, as the community, and even our own Councillors, have been very much kept in the dark about plans for the site. This was described as inexplicable, given that community organisations have been alerting the Borough to the desirability of adopting the Theatre for community/school/church use, for at least a decade. 

The meeting was angry at times - having heard that interested parties and the public have not been kept informed and that the Novello has been allowed deteriorate so far , with delapidations still not being required from the lessees. Quite how far plans for redevelopment of the site have progressed, is not known! 

Local resident, entomolygist and TV personality, Prof George McGavin, said it was vital that the Novello was secured for the community, regardless of what facilities may be planned for Ascot, and he pledged 'a grand' to the cause, on the spot !

Chairman, Alan Everett will be setting up a Facebook page to help co-ordinate the Community Novello Plan and anyone who has any relevant skills, is urged to help. 

 

If you awere unable to attend the meeting but would like to sign a petition supporting a proposal to keep the Novello (Picture House) as a community resource, please sign the petition by following this link:

ePetition - Save the Sunninghill Picture House / Novello Theatre (moderngov.co.uk)

Future of Novello Theatre Sunninghill | Public Meeting | January 24t

 

WEBSITE

 

Community invited to events to help shape Ascot’s future development and High Street improvements

The Ascot community is invited to attend workshops and drop-in events to help shape the town’s rejuvenation, including sharing their views on options for improving the High Street.

The Royal Borough is working with residents, community groups, businesses and other partners to produce a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that will guide future development in the area, complementing the vision set in the Borough Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan.

The Borough Local Plan includes a high-level vision to rejuvenate Ascot as a vibrant place for the community, with an improved High Street and high-quality new development that is well integrated into Ascot and protects its green and leafy character. New development in Ascot will be focused on the High Street.

Read more: Have Your Say on Ascot High Street | Supplementary Planning Document

MILERS IMAGE WEBSITE        TAILS OF THE WORLD WEBSITE      

Local Windsor & Ascot professional dog photographer launches a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the lives of dogs. ASCOT, BERKSHIRE (January 22nd, 2024) – Millers Image Limited, the Ascot and Windsor based professional dog photographers, announced today the launch of “60 at 60: Celebrating the Lives of Dogs”, a fundraising project for a national charity dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children and adults with various challenging medical conditions. Tails of the World is an international group of professional pet photographers, each celebrating the dogs of their region with their own “Tails of . . .” fundraising coffee table book.

Read more: 60 at 60 | New Fundraising Project by Millers Image Ltd of Ascot

www.papplewick.org.uk   For further information, please do contact the Registrar, on 01344-621488 or registrar@papplewick.org.uk

PAPPLEWICK CHARITY CLUB ENJOYS TOUR OF PRIORY ON THEIR CARE HOME VISIT | Papplewick boys are continuing their regular visits to local care homes to chat with and learn about some of the residents' fascinating stories and histories.

On Thursday afternoon they visited St. David's and St. Christopher's Residential Care homes in Ascot and the Manager also very kindly gave the boys a tour of the Priory. She told them all about the nuns and discussed Florence Nightingale's big role in training the nuns in preparation for the Crimea war.  During the course of this term the boys will also work with the Alexander Devine Childrens' Hospice.

Headmaster, Tom Bunbury said "Not only do the boys get a lot out of chatting to the residents, but they benefit so much from learning interesting historial facts, not only from their tour of the home, but also from the residents themselves, these really are mutually beneficial visits.

Read more: Papplewick Charity Club Enjoys Priory Tour at Care Home Visit

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