THE team behind Thornbury’s revamped arts venue The Armstrong say it is “all systems go” ahead of its long-awaited reopening.
The Cossham Hall, foyer and bar will be open for business with the first night of Thornbury Arts Festival on April 10, when comedian Alfie Moore’s show is sold out.
But residents will be able to have a sneak preview of what the venue has to offer with a series of free ‘Tea and Tours’ events in the days leading up to the festival.
There are eight tours each day on April 7, 8 and 9 – some are already fully booked, but there were spaces on others as the Voice went to print.
Tickets can be reserved on The Armstrong website at thearmstrong.co.uk/whats-on.
Thornbury Arts Festival has two weekends of events at The Armstrong and tickets were still available for Murder at The Opera, Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show, National Theatre Live’s broadcast of Helen Mirren in The Audience and folk music from the Churchfitters.
Tickets can be booked through the Armstrong website, at www.thornburyartsfestival.org.uk or by calling 07591 030785.
The reopening of the venue, formerly known as the Armstrong Hall complex, is the climax of six years of campaigning, organising and fundraising by supporters determined not to lose it after it was closed during the Pandemic in 2020.
Charitable incorporated organisation Thornbury Community and Arts is renovating the complex on behalf of the Armstrong Hall Trust, funded largely by a £1.25 million donation from Maggie Lansdown, the wife of billionaire Bristol City and Bristol Bears owner Steve Lansdown, whose late mother used the venue when she lived in the town.
The Armstrong’s Jackie Jackson said: “We are, at last, at the moment when the dream we have dreamed is reality.
“In the last few weeks, The Armstrong team and volunteers have been putting the finishing touches to the venue: installing furniture and fittings, stocking the bar, and donning the marigolds to clean and tidy in preparation for the opening events.
“There have also been numerous training sessions for the many volunteers who have come forward to help in a myriad of ways.
“Meanwhile, the events team has been busy researching and booking future shows, events and activities which will make The Armstrong a hub of community life.”
Other upcoming events include a sing-along cinema show, shanty singers and a series of Easter events for the school holidays.
Jackie said: “It’s all systems go and The Armstrong Team hope to see you enjoying our new version of an old favourite – The Armstrong re-born, thanks to Maggie Lansdown and all who have helped in this inspiring journey.”
Theatre returns to Cossham Hall
Jan Deacon and Sally Law rehearsing for JTP Theatre’s It’s What Matters
A THORNBURY theatre group’s members are “delighted” to be the first to bring a full-length play to stage in the Cossham Hall when it reopens.
Award-winning group JTP Theatre will stage their comedy It’s What Matters on the revamped hall’s stage from May 7 to 9, at 7.30pm each evening.
Writer Tony Domaille says the play is “a comedy that also has plenty of heart-warming scenes and is suitable for all audiences”.
It tells the story of a mother whose grown-up children are at war with each other, and enlists the help of someone who “may or may not be a ghost”, with chaotic results.
Tony said: “JTP Theatre are delighted to be the first group to bring a stage play back to The Armstrong.
“Thornbury is very fortunate that so many people have worked so hard to re-open this valuable venue for the town.”
Tickets for It’s What Matters cost £13 and are available from The Armstrong website www.thearmstrong.co.uk/whatson or by calling 0333 666 3366.