Stars backing school's arts bid (From Gazette & Herald)

Stars backing school's arts bid

A NORTH Yorkshire school hoping to become a centre for performing arts has been backed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn and Ian Carmichael.

The playwright and actor have pledged to put on performances at Ryedale School, Nawton, near Helmsley, to raise cash towards the bid.

Headteacher Geoff Jenkinson said the news was a huge boost to their plans to be awarded specialist status.

"We are thrilled to have such significant support and enormously grateful that two giants of the performing arts are willing to make the time to perform for us," he said.

"The credibility of the bid is now firmly established."

To become a specialist performing arts school Ryedale must first raise £50,000 - so it can unlock £450,000 of Government cash. The school plans to build a new studio space with retractable tiered seating, sprung floor, recording studio and rehearsal rooms as part of a £100,000 building project.

Cash would then be available to buy in specialist teachers, professional equipment and pay for project work.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn will be performing at the school on Thursday, October 30, at 7.30pm. Reservations for tickets, priced £10, can be made through the school office on (01439) 771665.

The date for Ian Carmichael's event is still to be confirmed but is likely to be in the spring term at Helmsley Arts Centre.

Mr Jenkinson said fundraising for the bid was going well, with several businesses already pledging their support.

And dedicated cyclists David Collier and Martin Lush, who pedalled 140 miles from sea to sea in just one day, have raised a magnificent £2,800. The duo said they wanted to thank everyone for their help and the generous donations people gave.

David's wife Jane said: "We are thrilled to bits with the amount people have raised."

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, July 23, 2003