Culture and Leisure

Culture and Leisure (PerFORUM)

Chairman: Jane Clark email jane.clark39@btinternet.com

PerFORUM project team is an informal liaison of arts groups in the Chippenham area. Until now its emphasis has been on the performing arts and it has been successful in working with Chippenham Town Council to make improvements to the Neeld Hall which have enhanced it as a venue for both performers and the audience. ChAP PerFORUM , through grants from Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, donations from CLOGS Musical Theatre and the Town Council (who also supervised the work) were delighted with the outcome of this project.

ChAP raised over £21.000 with further funding from Tesco, North Wiltshire District Council and individuals to purchase lighting equipment, portable staging, scaffolding, tents, chairs etc for use by community groups in our Community Area. Beneficiaries so far have included Dance Groups, Musical Theatre Companies, Drama Groups and The River Festival all in Chippenham but village Drama, Pantomime and Fetes have used our resources also.For more information and a list of our resources please contact us.

We know that the arts nationally are facing difficult times with funding cuts almost certain and as Government at all levels try to balance the books local groups will be no exception. Please continue to keep in touch with your ideas for survival or if you think we can help.Together we can raise the profile of all forms of leisure as a way of not only improving peoples’ wellbeing and health but make a major contribution to the economy.  We are conducting a survey on the leisure facilities in the Chippenham area, and would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to fill out our survey which you can find on the Home page.

We are now keen to widen our brief and hope people who have other leisure interests including sport will contact us.  We are always seeking new input and new members.