‘The Foxlowe will continue to develop’

THANK you for reporting last week the Foxlowe Arts Centre’s successful Heritage Lottery Grant bid to pay for vital repairs to the building.

Foxlowe’s ambitions are both daunting and exciting: the restoration and maintenance of the major historic town centre Listed building and the establishment and development of an arts centre of interest to all members of the community.

Trustees realised at the outset in the autumn of 2011 that it would be a huge financial challenge. Foxlowe is helped with crucial financial support from over two hundred people pledging £2 or more weekly, the former Parkside Trust, Leek Town Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Leek Lands Trust, thousands of hours of unpaid work by more than a hundred volunteers and various one-off donations from local businesses, groups and individuals.

The financial challenge was intensified when, after a professional risk assessment, we signed a 15-year mortgage so that we were not faced with annual rent increases. Also ownership is a major help to secure national funding. We are in the fifth year of the slowly declining monthly mortgage payments.

With the continued valued and indispensable support of those already mentioned and, hopefully, new supporters, Foxlowe will continue to develop and be a valued presence in the community. On Wednesday, October 17, starting at 7.30pm a presentation of the works to be carried out and the associated programme of events followed by question and answer discussions should be a good opportunity to find out more about the developments, about being a Pledger, volunteer or using the Foxlowe for a variety of activities. Before then, of course, you can always pop into the Arts Centre or call 01538 386112. Chris Thompson Chair of Trustees, Leek