The arts were recognised as being at the heart of the community when the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) presented its prestigious Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award to Jane Corry, director of Norden Farm Centre for the Arts.

Annabel received the award at the RBWM Business and Community Awards 2007 gala dinner and ceremony held at Ascot Racecourse. Cllr David Burbage, Leader of the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council, who presented the award said: “Annabel has been the common factor driving forward Norden Farm from difficult times in 2002 to the thriving and sustainable asset that the Arts Centre is today. We know that she works really hard to deliver a great variety of arts to the local community - this award is in recognition of her fantastic efforts.”

At Norden Farm there is a programme of professional theatre, comedy, live literature, music (classical, jazz, blues and folk) and family shows, complemented by a wide-ranging participatory programme with more than 300 young people and adults attending a variety of classes at the Centre each week. The venue attracts more than 80,000 visits in total per year.

Norden Farm’s outreach work in the community includes primary and secondary schools, further education and even extends into care homes for the elderly. Each year, local community arts groups are able to present shows in the main theatre, as well as using the visual arts gallery and other spaces.

Jane Corry said: “I am delighted that our work to make Norden Farm a vibrant, accessible and essential part of the community has been recognised by this award”.