Hot on the heels of an appeal from the Highfield Regeneration Project for support for their planned restoration of the Derwent Road grounds comes and appeal from the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust to back their appeal for funds from the same competition.
The good news is that registered voters on the NatWest’s Community Force web site can vote for up to three projects, so you don’t have to feel torn between these two local projects.
The Winter Gardens trust is hoping its supporters will boost the restoration fund by casting their vote in Natwest’s online competition, which could see them win one of the £6000 awards.
If successful, the Trust intend to use the money towards providing toilet and refreshment facilities in the main auditorium. This will extend the venue’s availability for both community and professional use and enable the theatre to be hired for paying events, thereby raising income towards further restoration work. It will also improve the amenities offered for community events and make the historic building more accessible to visitors.
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| Friends of the Winter Gardens on stage at the venue |
To support the Gardens, visit http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/4233 before 23rd October to register and cast your vote. The page contains further information about the work of the Trust and includes videos showcasing the beautiful architecture of the Grade II* listed building and also the volunteers who are working to restore it to its former glory.
The Winter Gardens opens its doors regularly and welcomed over 2000 visitors during the recent Heritage Open Days weekend. An exciting programme of events is already under discussion for 2012, dependent on improved facilities being available.
There are several other local groups seeking your vote, including the Highfield project, One Voice, St. John’s Hospice and LESS in Lancaster (the latter seeking to improve facilities on the allotment site to ensure full accessibility for people of all abilities) and the Wsetgate Wanderers and Morecambe Hawks football clubs (who want to buy equipment, kits, rain
jackets, and, eventually, build their own own club house).
• Website: www.thewintergardensmorecambe.co.uk
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/morecambewg
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Morecambe-Winter-Gardens-Preservation-Trust/151507424938654
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/morecambewg