Stamford Shakespeare Company launched fundraising appeal to ensure its survival
Council extends free period for new and existing market traders across South Holland
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outh Holland District Council has announced that market fees across South Holland will be waived for another three months, stretching the support for traders to six months. The decision, which ensures no fees for traders until the end of November, helps support the Council’s commitment towards the District’s town centres and its businesses, as it looks to continue to build for the future and aid the economic and social recovery of the District from COVID-19. The extension to the support will save valuable money for traders impacted by a change in trade levels during lockdown and beyond, whilst also presenting a low-risk opportunity for other businesses or individuals to consider taking part for the first time. Several new traders at Spalding market have already used the free period to take part in the market, with a seller of handbags, purses and wallets and also a cake company appearing in recent weeks. It follows further support through a £5,000 grant for existing traders earlier in August, who the Council
identified directly through their discretionary grant funding from the Government’s COVID-19 support package. The Council are also reaffirming the importance of the market through the ongoing work of the Spalding town centre improvement group, which includes representatives from the Spalding Market Traders group. Councillor Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for place, said: “I am very pleased that we are extending the rent free period for traders. I believe it shows our commitment to supporting our District’s markets and its traders whilst also seeking to encourage others to give market trading a try, as our District continues to recover from these challenging times. “The markets are an integral part of our plans for the District, and I would encourage anyone who’s always considered giving it a go to make the most of this opportunity and be part of a growing and diverse retail offer to our shoppers.” More information on our South Holland District’s markets, as well as details on how you can apply to take part, can be found at https://www. sholland.gov.uk/markets.
4 | SIMPLY SPALDING | www.simplyspalding.co.uk
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tamford Shakespeare Company (SSC), with its open-air theatre at Tolethorpe Hall, has launched a fundraising campaign. Its aim is to raise crucial funds to keep the theatre company afloat and to ensure the summer season of plays can continue next year. The impact of Covid-19 on SSC has been enormous. The Theatre and Hall were closed in March this year and the Company has lost a forecasted £240,000 worth of ticket sales. As a charity who receive no funding from any arts organisations or formal sponsorship, SSC relies on income from tickets sales to fund the productions, maintain the beautiful grounds and upkeep the Grade 2* listed Elizabethan Hall. The future of SSC is now at great risk. Although the government lifted some of the restrictions on theatres, allowing outdoor venues to re-open with social distancing in place, we have not been able to rehearse, we have not finished the construction of our sets, or the costumes for our actors and therefore our productions could not proceed. Caroline Stephenson, Chair of SSC Board of Directors, said: “We are all so lucky to have this theatre on our doorstep. To date, we have welcomed over a million audience members, to share experiences with friends and family through theatre, giving volunteers a place to be valued, and inspiring young people to dream big. Losing this wonderful, unique and special place would leave a void in our community. We have been putting on Shakespeare plays for over 50
years and we are determined that Covid-19 will not put an end to this, but without the help from the community, we will not survive. We are enormously grateful to our patrons and overwhelmed by their continued generosity and kindness. We now need you more than ever.”
How to donate: Just Giving – https:// www.justgiving. com/campaign/ SSCsaveyourtheatre Cheque - made payable to Stamford Shakespeare Company Cash - sent in a secure envelope to us at: Stamford Shakespeare Company, Tolethorpe Hall Little Casterton, Stamford, PE9 4BH For more information, please take a look at our fundraising website: www.saveyourtheatre. co.uk
