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Latest News
from the Robin Hood Theatre
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The Robin Hood
Theatre Closure – The Way Forward
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| January
2012 |
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| The County
Council passed their correct resolution to pass the
trusteeship of the theatre to us on 15 December. We
have also negotiated a transfer agreement with them
that deals with the details of the transfer, accepts
the write off of the previous debt and commits the
Council to paying for the repair work needed after
the burglary last spring. Plumbing and electrical
contractors are standing by to start the remedial
works, which we have agreed will be under our
control. This ensures that the work is done to our
satisfaction and we can control any follow up
problems. In particular we have engaged Hawthorn
Theatrical (our usual lighting and technical hire
supplier) to provide the replacement lighting power
system for the main theatre. |
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| We have
now received and signed the final version of the
Deed of Transfer and are waiting for the Council to
sign their copy, which will activate the actual
transfer. We have asked them to arrange a handover
date before the end of January as the contractors
are able to start work in early February. |
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| We have
also registered to make a bid to the Lottery
Heritage Fund. As soon as we have unfettered access
to the building we will be using our volunteer
surveyors and builders to prepare schedules of the
work needed and estimates to support a funding bid.
We have a Funding Appeal leaflet in preparation
describing the works programme and seeking
supporters. |
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| Geoff
Morgan Chairman |
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| December
2011 |
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| Theatre Forward |
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| We reported in the
November edition that we were hoping to have the
keys back just before Christmas and start work on
fund raising and getting the theatre ready to
welcome you back. At the time of writing this it
looks like we may have to wait a little longer as
the County Council have not yet completed the
handover process. The good news is that the extra
work identified on and over the stage area.
initially overlooked, has been assessed and the
County Council have accepted responsibility for this
and have agreed to make good the damage caused by
the burglary in this area as well as all the other
work they have committed to undertake. |
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| This delay in handover
is really only a minor setback and since we have
waited over 5 years already, another couple of weeks isn't
going take make that much difference. What I can
assure you of is that we WILL be getting the
building back! |
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| Meanwhile the board
under the direction and leadership of our Business
Director, Val Wilson have started to put together an
action plane for fund raising and publicity which we
are confident of rolling out early in the New Year. |
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| November
2011 |
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| We're
Coming Home! |
| Recovering the theatre—Nearly There |
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| Nottinghamshire County
Council have now confirmed that they resolved in
July to hand over the trusteeship of the theatre to
The Robin Hood Theatre Company and have apologised
for forgetting to actually tell us! They have
conceded that the terms of their resolution did not
meet the Charity Commission‟s requirements and have
started the repair work needed after the burglary in
the spring. We met their technical team at the
theatre on 28th October and reviewed the proposed
work. There were some substantial specialist items
damaged over the stage that they had not recognised
and we are working with them to specify the
additional work needed and identify appropriate
contractors to do the work. |
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| On the legal front, the
council is preparing the correct resolution and
terms of transfer. Separately our legal advisors -
Langley's—are working with the Charity Commission to
arrange transfer of the freeholds of the theatre and
the overspill car park from the Official Custodian
to The RHTC. If all goes according to plan we expect
to be formally responsible for the theatre with the
electrics and heating working, just before
Christmas. |
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| In the meantime we are
activating our works and fund raising programmes. We
want to bring parts of the building to life as
quickly as possible so that we have somewhere to
meet and rehearse, build scenery and access our
wardrobe, props etc. We will be assessing how soon
we can actually have public performances in the
building to see how much of the 2012/2013 season can
be housed in our favourite venue. |
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| This has been a long
and difficult 5 years in our company‟s history but
finally we see light at the end of the tunnel. You,
our members have been magnificent in your continued
support and for this we extend our heartfelt and
sincere thanks. Now the work begins! Many of you
offered help in various fields by adding your name
to our list of volunteers. We will be contacting you
once we know what needs doing and when; and I hope
that your enthusiasm and commitment hasn't waned. We
will also be appealing for more help so if you know
any builders, electricians, carpenters, gardeners,
painters, decorators, tea makers, sandwich fillers,
cleaners in fact |
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| September
2011 |
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| Theatre
Forward |
| An update
from the Chairman |
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| We understand from the
Newark Advertiser that the County Council formally agreed
to pass the trusteeship of the Theatre to us in July.
Sadly they have not actually told us that they have
done this or the terms of their resolution. The only
contact we have had is from their legal depart-ment
almost asking us what to do. |
| The problem
is that the Charity Commission have changed the rules
about transferring trusteeship – to make it easier –
but you have to do it correctly and we cannot be certain
that the County Council have done all they need to do.
This is important as the Charity Commission will still
be involved in releasing the freehold of the theatre
to us from the Official Custodian of Charities. This
cannot be done until the Council have made the correct
amendments to the 1980 Transfer Scheme, which appointed
them as Trustee. |
| We also understand
that the Council intend to arrange to repair all the
damage to the building caused when all the copper was
stolen from the theatre in May. We need to discuss precisely
what they will be doing so that we can be clear about
the condition of the building before we accept it. |
| So we are
badgering the Council for a reply to our request for
confirmation of their resolution. In the meantime we
are working on the details of our 6 stage plan to bring
the theatre back into operation. |
| The current
plan is as follows: |
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Zone 1.
Bar, Kitchen , Supper Room Utility Supplies Restored
and Coffee Lounge.
Utility Supplies Restored and Coffee Lounge Heating
Operational New Kitchen storage & Surfaces 6 Months
Create disabled toilets Upgrade existing toilets/cloakrooms
Redecoration.
6 months. |
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Zone 2.
Wardrobe and Storage Improve heating, structural stability
Inc Scenery Dock.
Improve heating, structural stability Possibly create
office area Install hoist to storage area.
12 months. |
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Zone 3.
New building dressing rooms.
Install, power, plumbing & heating 18 Months Create
access to main stage area.
18 months. |
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Zone 4.
Box office, foyer, external corridor & old dressing rooms.
Demolish dressing rooms, roof over & create ramped
access to studio building 24 Months Upgrade and redecorate
foyer to match bar area.
24 months |
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Zone 5.
Main Theatre.
Upgrade safety systems, Electrical Installation.
30 months |
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Zone 6.
Studio Theatre.
Complete fit out as a hireable space.
36 months |
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However the
order is subject to review as we reflect on the possibilities
and depending on the condition of the different parts
of the building. We have built up well over £10,000
working capital over the last couple of years and the
200 Club Fund is a significant part of this so please
think about joining. After all half the pot is won by
the winning member each month and the bigger the pot
the more you win!
Geoff Morgan |
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| December 2010 |
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| Theatre
Forward Update |
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| Geoff Morgan and Andrew
Fearn (RHT Legal Advisor) met senior County Councillors
on 3 November. They wanted to relay some concerns that
had been expressed to the County by Averham Parish Council
which they felt could constitute an objection to the
scheme to transfer the RHT Trusteeship. If there were
objections then the Charity Commission would have to
mount a consultation about the proposed scheme, which
would extend the transfer date some months. The Parish
Council’s main concerns were: What is our business plan
to run the building successfully and sustainably? How
were we going to manage health and safety issues? Did
we have a realistic plan for renovating the building?
Their historic concerns about noise and parking needed
to be addressed before the building opens; and They
want to benefit from the building and be actively involved
in it. Further allegations had been made about drunken
parties, irresponsible usage of the building including
breaking and entering, and massive bonfires. We responded
at length about these unfounded allegations, pointing
out that were it not for our vigilance the building
and its contents would be in a much worse state than
it is; that even so it is hardly the venue for a party;
that we had been working steadily towards a recognised
corporate structure that could assume responsibility
for the building and had been raising funds in preparation
for that day. |
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| The County Councillors
adopted a more conciliatory tone, noting how passionate
we were about rescuing the theatre, that we all had
to concentrate on moving forwards and that we were the
Council's favoured successor. We agreed that RHTC Ltd
and the County should meet the Parish Council to discuss
their concerns and present to them our plans for bringing
the theatre back to life. If that placates the Parish
then the County will ask the Charity Commission to make
the transfer scheme. The County immediately wrote to
the Parish Clerk but so far there has been no response
– they may want to discuss the proposal at a formal
Parish Council meeting. |
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| So for the time being the
transfer process is delayed until the County can be
persuaded to apply for the transfer scheme. We are using
the time to progress with the development of the new
company by applying for charitable status and writing
up our business plan as well as building up our funds.
The Board have discussed the issues raised and we look
forward to meeting the Parish Council so that we can
allay their concerns and explore ways that they can
become involved in recovering the building once we have
taken it over. There will be plenty of scope for parts
of the building to be used by local clubs and organisations
once the renovation is underway. |
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October 2010
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| Minutes of the Annual Meeting
of Members |
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Download minutes |
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September 2010
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Theatre
Update (Operation Theatre Forward!)
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| Things are moving at a
steady pace. As I am sure you can appreciate when dealing
with such complex and legal matters things tend not
to happen overnight. |
| Our legal team is working
very hard to secure the handover of the theatre trusteeship
to the RHTC and we are confident that we will have the
keys before the end of the year. |
| This is fantastic news
and congratulations to Geoff, Clive and DBK and Andrew
Fearn our legal representative for all the hard work
they have been doing behind the scenes. |
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But This
Is Just The Beginning!
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| Once the trusteeship has
been handed over and the theatre is back in our hands
there is a tremendous amount of work needed before we
can use it. |
| We plan to carry out the
work in phases. The details and timelines for these
phases are still in the planning stages but for us to
succeed we are going to need help, lots of help, YOUR
HELP! |
| Although we will have to
do some serious fundraising because as you know a huge
amount of money will have to be spent over the phased
periods to bring the building up to scratch, what we
will really need is manpower. |
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Pledge Your
Support Now
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| There is a lot of work
we can do ourselves to ease the burden on the budget. |
| If you are a builder, plumber,
electrician, plasterer we need your help. But even if
you are not qualified in these fields there is still
plenty we can do: Painting, decorating, gardening, cleaning,
tea and sandwich making! |
| So fully qualified, time
served tradesman or keen talented DIY enthusiast we
need your help. |
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How Can
You Help?
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| We need to be ready to
mobilise the troops the minute we get the go ahead so
we are starting to compile a data base of everyone who
is willing and able to offer help in any capacity. one
number, and any particular skills or areas of interest. |
| Please contact the secretary
at rhtcsecretary@live.co.uk or telephone 01623 863614
(you can leave a message) or write to The Secretary,
RHTC, 7 Bramble Close, Boughton, Newark, Notts, NG229TN.
The information we need is: Your Name, email address
(where applicable), contact teleph |
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| Then we can contact
you with dates of working parties and what each party
will be concentrating on. Please come forward, we have
waited a long time for this moment and we want to be
up and running in our beloved home as soon as possible.
Thank you |
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August 2010
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From the
Chairman - Recovering the Theatre
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| Nottingham County Council
agreed in principle to relinquish their role as trustee
of the Robin Hood Theatre Trust in favour of the theatre
company earlier this year. |
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| A full council meeting
will be required to affirm the decision. We have two
choices of the form of trustee: |
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| A group of individuals
prepared to take personal responsibility and liability
for the Trust |
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| To form a charitable company
limited by guarantee (a CLG) that would become the trustee. |
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| The Committee of the Robin
Hood Theatre Company (which I shall refer to as the
Society to reduce confusion) decided that the CLG option
was more favourable as it does not put the onus on individuals
and enables the future membership to control the destiny
of the theatre. |
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| The Charity Commission
has said that they would be happy with that and would
prepare a transfer scheme once the CLG is formed. |
| We have therefore been
preparing the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the new company with the expert guidance of Andrew
Fearn from Langleys Solicitors. |
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| However the Church of England
has an interest in the management of the Trust and have
shown some concern about protecting their interests
in the building. |
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| So we need to resolve their
concerns before moving forwards. If that can be resolved
the next steps are to: |
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| * form the CLG;
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| * hold a general meeting
of the Society to wind it up and transfer its assets
to the CLG; |
| * hold the first general
meeting of the CLG to appoint the Board of Directors;
and then |
| * the Charity Commission
can prepare the scheme for transferring the trusteeship
to the CLG. Once that scheme is executed we can start
on the work we need to do to make the theatre usable
again. |
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| So in the meantime
we are preparing a phased programme of works that will
enable us to create “safe” parts of the building that
we can use e.g. for rehearsals, while we raise the funds
for the more expensive work. |
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April 2010
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| At a recent meeting County
Councillors confirmed that they were keen to work with
the Robin Hood Theatre Company to save the the theatre
at Averham. Brendan Haigh, the chairman of the theatre's
management committee, said that a joint approach was
to be made to the Charity Commission to seek their approval
for the Robin Hood Theatre Company to assume the trusteeship
in place of the County Council thus giving the voluntary
run group complete autonomy and control over the future
direction.
Apart from the Commission's formal approval there
are a number of other hurdles which must be jumped before
the theatre can reopen to the public. Essential work
is needed to bring the building up to current health
and safety standards. Geoff Morgan, the chairman of
the Theatre Company which has been touring the Newark
district for the last few years said that the members
were keen to work to bring the theatre back to life.
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December 2009
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Eric Chappell
visits rehearsals
here
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Chairman's Update November 2009
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| At the AGM the Chairman’s
report contained the developments up to mid September,
then in late October a meeting of the RHT Trust Management
Committee was attended by Councillor Andy Stewart who
is a member of the Council’s Cabinet but also, many
years ago, was the Chairman of the RHT Management Committee.
He listened to the tale to date from Sue Cullen, the
main officer we have been dealing with who was also
present, and confirmed that they were keen to press
on and relinquish their role as Trustee. They need to
have a clear understanding of the legal position, especially
over any conditions still attached to the grants given
for the new building, before they can make us an offer.
So we continue to wait for the Council to get their
act together, but now that senior councillors are involved,
it is more likely that we shall see a conclusion to
this phase in the next few months. It is notable that
the Council have now paid out nearly £100,000 on consultants
and mopping up the oil leak which would have funded
a large part of the improvements needed to make the
theatre ready for public use again. However the RHT
Company stands ready to meet with the Council and negotiate
a deal.
Geoff Morgan Chairman November 2009
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Statement - 28
March 2007
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Report - 16 February 2007
A preliminary assessment of current options
by François Matarasso
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Statement - 25
February 2007
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In the meantime please support
The
Robin Hood Theatre - On Tour!
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