FOLLOWING the success of a regional tour with a musical about rural life, organisers have handed over the proceeds to victims of a haulage yard fire.
Northern Heartlands and theatre company November Club performed the musical, Beyond the End of the Road, which featured community participants including a “flash mob” style choir, at six venues across County Durham including the Randolph Community Centre, in Evenwood last month.
In every location the host venue or community split any profits from the evening with the organisers.
And when the show was performed at Evenwood it was agreed by all involved that the show would be a fundraiser for residents of Newholme Crescent, who have been forced to move out of their homes as a result of a haulage yard fire in the village. The event in Evenwood raised £206 from the sale of tickets.
Northern Heartlands’ Director Jill Cole said: “Touring November Club’s show Beyond The End of the Road was a very successful way of bringing communities together across the Northern Heartlands area.
“The show played to packed audiences in Binchester, Stanhope, Crook, Mickleton and The Witham in Barnard Castle. The evening in Evenwood was particularly memorable and we’re delighted that November Club and the Randolph Centre have agreed that the money should be used to support members of that community who are most in need.”
County councillor Heather Smith was involved with the show alongside a number of other community participants. She said: “Part of the play deals with a fire and when it came to performing at Evenwood I said it would ring very true to locals who had just experienced the fire.”
Martin Clark, secretary of the Randolph Community Centre, said: “It is a small gesture for the residents affected and we need to help as much as we can.”
The cheque for £206 was handed to Judith Buckle, activity co-ordinator of Lyons Court Care Home in Evenwood, who is holding all funds raised for the families.
