The Maidenhead Advertiser have launched a campaign asking people to Dig Deep for Norden Farm.

The following article was front page news on Thursday 9 June:

Today sees the launch of a campaign asking people to ‘Dig Deep for Norden Farm’. The arts centre in Altwood Road is in desperate need of support after being told it was losing all of its £143,000 Arts Council England funding. The grant has been paid every year since it opened in 2000 and represents half its public funding but it will stop from April 2012. The clock is now ticking as bosses just have until October to come up with a ‘credible’ plan to replace the money. The Advertiser has thrown its support behind the venue and together we are calling on the community to play its part and back the arts centre. Chairman of Norden’s trustees Geoffrey Blacker said: “In the next five months we need to prove to ourselves and everyone else that we can replace that funding. Failure is not an option. “We need to do a lot of work and the only way we will succeed is with help and support from the community.” Norden Farm costs £500,000 annually to run and already operates with minimal staff and a team of 80 volunteers. Mr Blacker and Jane Corry, Norden’s chief executive and artistic director, have drawn up a 14-point plan setting out how to raise the cash. It includes encouraging more people to come to see shows and spreading the word to people who have never been there before. Jane said although Norden Farm was attended 62,000 times in 2010/11 and attracts household names such as Lee Evans, Lenny Henry and Jenny Eclair, there are still people who do not know it exists – and that must change. “We are delighted by the campaign as it will help us spread the word about all the amazing stuff that is going on here.” Geoffrey said: “When people say nothing is going on in Maidenhead it’s just not true.” He added: “There’s something here for everyone and we are here for the whole community.” They hope people will also boost funds by making a donation, signing up for a £35 annual membership, sponsoring a seat for £500 or becoming a patron by contributing £1,000. They will also be expanding the venue’s uses by opening it up for weddings, parties and corporate events and will be seeking business sponsors and greater involvement from local artists. Jane said: “It was the will of the people that got Norden Farm opened in the first place. People really fought for it and it can’t be allowed to close.”

You can also read the article on the Advertiser's website: www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/leisure/theatre