LOCAL NEWS Light It Red Campaign Recently the UK live events <strong>in</strong>dustry came together <strong>in</strong> solidarity to raise awareness of the pandemic’s devastat<strong>in</strong>g impact on the arts sector. Hundreds of venues <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g The Hub at St Mary’s and <strong>Lichfield</strong> Garrick Theatre were lit up <strong>in</strong> red to symbolise the <strong>in</strong>dustry go<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to red alert, and a f<strong>in</strong>al call to the Government to support the arts <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with other <strong>in</strong>dustries. A huge number of highly skilled people are employed <strong>in</strong> event production, audio, light<strong>in</strong>g, video, logistics, plann<strong>in</strong>g, transportation and technology – more than 70% are freelancers. Without these amaz<strong>in</strong>gly talented people there will be no shows for artists to play. ....................................................................................... Beacon Park Tennis Courts Bounce Back! For many years the tennis courts at Beacon Park had been fall<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to disrepair and were on the verge of be<strong>in</strong>g closed permanently, tak<strong>in</strong>g away a facility used by more than 1,000 tennis players, 200 netball players and the pupils at <strong>Lichfield</strong> Cathedral School. In 2017 a group of six friends, who met while play<strong>in</strong>g tennis <strong>in</strong> Beacon Park, came together to form a charity, Beacon Park Tennis, with the stated ambition of tak<strong>in</strong>g over the runn<strong>in</strong>g of the courts and redevelop<strong>in</strong>g the site. Start<strong>in</strong>g with zero funds the group raised over £200,000 <strong>in</strong> just under two years through local fundrais<strong>in</strong>g and support from a number of partners: <strong>Lichfield</strong> District Council; <strong>Lichfield</strong> Cathedral School; the Lawn Tennis Association; Sport England and HS2. The courts were completely refurbished to a very 6 Image courtesy of Robert Yardley high quality dur<strong>in</strong>g the summer and the courts had a socially distanced official open<strong>in</strong>g on Monday 10th August. For more <strong>in</strong>formation about Beacon Park Tennis, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g annual passes and book<strong>in</strong>g a court, visit the website www.beaconparktennis.org. F<strong>in</strong>d out more about the tennis courts <strong>in</strong> our history feature on page 32. ....................................................................................... TV Appearance for M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Memorial Andy de Comyn, Mike Mellor and Len Price be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terviewed The National M<strong>in</strong>ers’ Memorial project was the subject of a piece on BBC Midlands Today recently when members of Chase Arts for Public Spaces (CHAPS) went along to the National Memorial Arboretum to be <strong>in</strong>terviewed about the project and how they are giv<strong>in</strong>g the fundrais<strong>in</strong>g a boost. The memorial will have 22 bronze panels depict<strong>in</strong>g the history of coal m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. Artist Andy de Comyn has given his permission for each panel to be offered for sponsorship and each sponsor will be recognised <strong>in</strong> a book to be produced giv<strong>in</strong>g details of the memorial as well as receiv<strong>in</strong>g a plaster cast of their panel. The opportunity to be part of this long overdue tribute to the work of all who laboured <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>dustry, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those who fought <strong>in</strong> both World Wars, is be<strong>in</strong>g offered at a cost of £2,500 per panel. Anyone <strong>in</strong>terested or want<strong>in</strong>g more details can telephone 07583 655199 or message through the Facebook page www.facebook.com/ChaseArtsForPublicSpaces, where donations can also be given through JustGiv<strong>in</strong>g. ....................................................................................... Museum Project Captures Lockdown Memories People are be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>vited to share their stories and donate items to help create a last<strong>in</strong>g record of the Covid-19 pandemic <strong>in</strong> a new project. ‘Lockdown Memories’ hopes to collect and document materials to help retell the story of Coronavirus and how it affected the lives of people <strong>in</strong> the county. Staffordshire Archives & Heritage Service is particularly <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> letters, photographs, draw<strong>in</strong>gs, pa<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>gs or objects relat<strong>in</strong>g to people’s experiences. The materials will be used <strong>in</strong> future publications, research projects, exhibitions or websites. People <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> the project are be<strong>in</strong>g asked to complete a short survey at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/lockdownmemories. Cllr Victoria Wilson and Joanna Terry from the County's archive services ....................................................................................... Makeover for <strong>Lichfield</strong>’s Outdoor Gym On a snowy January morn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 2011 local civic dignitaries together with members of <strong>Lichfield</strong> St Chad Rotary Club jo<strong>in</strong>ed together to open the newly <strong>in</strong>stalled Outdoor Gym donated to the people of <strong>Lichfield</strong>. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>terven<strong>in</strong>g years the free gym facilities have been widely used by the public however when lockdown was <strong>in</strong>troduced on 23rd March the gym was taken out of service and fenced off. With restrictions now lifted, the gym is once aga<strong>in</strong> open to the public. On visit<strong>in</strong>g the gym recently, a member of <strong>Lichfield</strong> St Chad Rotary considered that the equipment was look<strong>in</strong>g tired and worn after n<strong>in</strong>e years of use. As a result, several members of the Club, armed with clean<strong>in</strong>g materials, spent time giv<strong>in</strong>g the gym equipment a thorough clean-up and brought it back to its orig<strong>in</strong>al prist<strong>in</strong>e condition.
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