Hyndburn Leisure has been awarded a significant grant of £59,515 from Arts Council England to develop an innovative arts and culture programme at Mercer Hall in Great Harwood. This exciting project, supported by Hyndburn Borough Council and the Architectural Heritage Fund, has been carefully shaped with input from local residents, schools, and cultural organisations through the Mercer Hall Repurposing Group.
Breathing New Life into a Community Asset
The funding will enable Hyndburn Leisure to pilot a diverse range of creative activities aimed at transforming Mercer Hall into a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and community events. Chief executive Lyndsey Sims expressed her delight, stating: “We’re thrilled to receive this funding from Arts Council England. Mercer Hall holds great importance for Great Harwood, and this initiative will help revitalise it in a manner that truly reflects the desires and needs of local people.”
A Rich Programme of Cultural Offerings
The new arts programme promises to engage the community with a variety of events and activities, including:
- Music and Opera: Opera North will deliver the In Harmony music programme in collaboration with two local primary schools, culminating in an exclusive finale concert at Mercer Hall in July. Additionally, a series of live music events will be held throughout the summer and autumn months.
- Books, Creative Writing, and Spoken Word: A brand-new annual book festival, scheduled for May 14-17, will feature author talks, interviews, and writing workshops in partnership with Lancashire County Council Libraries.
- Dance and Family Performance: DanceSyndrome will run an 18-week Everybody Dance programme for children, complemented by summer holiday taster sessions. Family-friendly performances will kick off with Young McDonald Had a Farm on May 2, priced at just £3 including a drink.
- Music, Learning, and Creative Careers: Free music lessons will be offered to nurture local talent, with Ossy Fest hosting a free music festival at Mercer Hall on May 23-24. Live music workshops led by Cathedral Studios will also be part of the lineup.
Community-Driven Transformation
A spokesperson for the Mercer Hall Repurposing Group highlighted the hall's significance, saying: “Mercer Hall means a great deal to local people. It’s incredibly exciting to see this funding come through, which will help turn our collective ideas into tangible action and ensure the hall becomes a welcoming space for everyone.”
This initiative represents a major step forward in enhancing cultural engagement and community cohesion in the Hyndburn area of Lancashire, leveraging historic venues for contemporary creative expression.
