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11
Sept 2023
Performing arts school finds new home in heart of Knaresborough
Freedom Performing Arts has opened new studios at the former Castle Girls School in Knaresborough.
The arts school, which has 380 students aged three to 18, has operated out of the town's Aspin Park Academy since 2010.
It will continue to run two classes every night at Aspin as well as one nightly class at the new venue in Castle Yard.
Amy Meikle, principal at Freedom Performing Arts, received the keys for the new premises in December last year after plans to open a museum on the site fell through.
Students at Friday's opening.
She said it cost £25,000 to fully restore the building, which had been empty since it hosted Knaresborough and Harrogate Dance Centre pre-covid.
A ribbon was cut to mark Friday's opening, which was attended by retired well known local dance teacher Miss Wenda (pictured below), who taught ballet and tap at Freedom before retiring in 2016.
Ms Meikle said being in the Castle Yard, close to the town centre, made the school feel like part of the community:
The studio has been completely renovated.
How the building looked in December.
Freedom runs a wide range of classes including ballet, tap, street, jazz, musical theatre, modern and acrobatics.
The building holds a strong personal connection for Ms Meikle, who said:
The school has been nominated for four awards at Saturday's Knaresborough Business Awards, organised by Knaresborough Business Collective.
The two-storey former girls school also hosts the 1st Scriven Scout Group.
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