Despite tricky trading conditions, caused by all the reasons we know too well, The Plough Arts Centre in Great Torrington and ThePlough@StAnne’s in Barnstaple have just launched a diverse and packed programme of live events, film screenings, exhibitions and participatory arts workshops over the next six months, to entertain and inspire people of all ages and interests across the region.
Director Richard Wolfenden-Brown is encouraging everyone to make The Plough their venue of choice, at this crucial time for the arts centre, which has thrived since 1975. He explained “As a multi-purpose arts venue, with little regular core funding, we continue to rely on ticket sales and donations for the vast majority of our income. Unfortunately, since we reopened in September 2021, audiences have not returned in the numbers anticipated, hence The Plough is faced with challenging business circumstances. Luckily we received government, Arts Council and National Lottery funding during the lockdowns, but those reserves are dwindling quickly. We are therefore appealing to everyone across the region to rediscover The Plough and to visit us very soon. Use it or …use it even more!”
From September to February there are 132 arts events to enjoy, ranging from live music with Ruby Turner, Jah Wobble, Martin Harley, Joe Stilgoe, Sarah Jane Morris, Chris Difford, Kiki Dee, Barbara Dickson and Big Al, to comedy with Rich Hall, Mark Thomas, Paul Foot, Gary Delaney, Glenn Moore, and Mark Watson, to special events with Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Mi Flamenco, The HandleBards, Quirk Theatre, a Gothtastic DJ night, Side by Side by Sondheim, Haunted History Tours, and a number of National Theatre shows streamed live to The Plough via satellite.
Plough films are now screened much closer to the release date and Sept/Oct film offer includes ‘Fisherman’s Friends’, ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing,’ ‘The Railway Children Return’, ‘Eiffel’, ‘Mrs Harris Goes To Paris’, ‘The Feast’, ‘The Hero of Centopia’ and Bollywood comes to North Devon via ‘Brahmastra Part One: Shiva’. Brett Harvey, the director of the Cornish micro-budget film ‘Long Way Back’ will appear live to take questions from the audience on 28 Sept after the 7pm screening, and the director of ‘Eric Ravilious Drawn To War’, Margy Kinmonth, will do the same after both screenings on Fri 30 Sept at 2pm and 7pm.
The Plough’s two galleries host a wonderful variety of high quality exhibitions starting in September with Netti Habel (preview Friday Sep 16) who takes photographs using only moonlight as a light source. Other artists range from one of our finest local landscape painters, Colin Allbrook to Anne Jackson's tapestry project inspired by the trials of “The Bideford Witches” in 1682. The annual Christmas craft fair showcases the best work of local makers and Laura Porter from StudioKIND, who has recently completed her M.A. will exhibit her latest sculptures.
Trustees of the charity met on 17 Aug and approved some prudent changes to staffing and opening hours from 1 Oct as part of controlling costs, to get the charity back on an even keel, whilst maintaining the diverse arts programme. Representations will also be made to Torridge District Council who briefly core-funded the venue prior to covid, but have not renewed their support since the pandemic. The venue is also awaiting the outcome of funding applications for public support for the venue’s thriving participatory arts programme with young people and those with additional needs.
Chair of the trustees of the charity, Hugh Wormington, also announced an expansion of one area of the operation: “Charlies@ThePlough our daytime cafe has proved very successful so we are delighted to support the arts programme by opening an evening bistro food offer every Wed - Sat night from 6pm - 9pm from 1 Oct. Tables can be booked via 01805 625925 or via charlies@theploughartscentre.org.uk”
Requests for pictures and/or press comps to sara@theploughartscentre.org.uk
Queries/further Info to richard@theploughartscentre.org.uk