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17
Jan
Knaresborough arts scene receives boost from Tinsel Town producers
Various artists and arts groups in Knaresborough received a welcome funding boost after a Christmas film was shot in the town last year.
Following the filming of Tinsel Town - a festive comedy partly-shot in Knaresborough – last February, Knaresborough Town Council launched an arts grant which aimed to bolster the town's creative sector.
The scheme, named the Special Arts Award, was created following a £1,000 donation made by the production company behind Tinsel Town.
The donation was a token of thanks for filming across the town.
Angela Pulman, Knaresborough Town Council's clerk, told the Stray Ferret the donation was divided into ten £100 grants, which were then awarded to artists and arts groups in Knaresborough.
Organisations or individuals had to be nominated by a local resident to be considered for the grant, before the lucky winners were announced on social media last June.
You can read about the different recipients and how the money has been used below.
The Knaresborough Eleven
Rabbithead productions, Yorkshire Create and FEVA collaborated to put on an amateur production of ‘The Knaresborough Eleven’.
The play told the story of 11 local men who protested against the restriction of Knaresborough Castle Yard in 1865.
The play, which debuted at Knaresborough Castle last August, is currently in the works for its second production this summer.
Mosaic memorial
FEVA also received its own tranche of funding through the Speical Arts Award.
The festival teamed up with local artist Douglas Black to design a mosaic in memorial of the Knaresborough Eleven, which is set to be revealed this summer.
Tinsel Town filming in Green Dragon Yard, Knaresborough. Photo: Jodie Teggin and Kelly Young.
Silent Night
Over Christmas, local musician Paul Mirfin partnered with Knaresborough’s St John’s choir to create a rendition of ‘Silent Night’, which was released on all streaming platforms in December.
Mr Mirfin told The Stray Ferret:
It was nice to be involved locally with the church.
The amount helped towards the recording, which means a lot as the music can be listened to by people who like a traditional hymn with a modern twist.
You can watch a video of the 'Silent Night' rendition below.
Performing arts
Another organisation put its share of the grant towards supporting aspiring actors.
Knaresborough Youth Theatre invested its £100 into its costume and props department.
The theatre hopes the funding will improve its performing arts workshops offered to children aged four to 18.
Supporting the community
Craft and Social, a local organisation which supports adults with learning disabilities, used its share of the grant to fund new materials for its students.
Knaresborough Town Council said the Special Arts Award is a "small way" for the town to “celebrate and champion some of its creativity and the arts scene”.
North Yorkshire Council also recieved donations made by Tinsel Town's prodcution company.
The authority told the Stray Ferret:
The council received approx. £4,600 from the filming in Knaresborough covering the full hire of the Conyngham Hall and Waterside Car Parks plus parking suspensions and permits for vans. As with any other third-party car parking income, this funding will go into the council’s car parking revenue account, which contributes to the running of the service and other priorities.
The council received approx. £5,800 for filming at Knaresborough Castle Grounds, Cliff Side Steps to Waterside, and Knaresborough House Grounds. This income is received within Parks and Grounds and contributes to the running of the service and other priorities.
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