WELCOME TO

“THE ASHFORD THEATRE PROJECT” 

under the slogan:-

A THEATRE HERE IN ASHFORD!

that's our vision - make it yours too!

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PLEASE VISIT OUR PETITION PAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE OUR WEBSITE.

You can also contact us with any suggestions and comments. 

If you feel that you can be a positive asset to the team then by all means  volunteer .

You can have your say on our forum page at 

 let's talk where you can air your views on any subject you like.

 

If you wish to make a donation please click here for details.

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Many people in Ashford have indicated to me that they would love to have a local theatre here in town. They say that despite the undeniable interest that prompted several attempts to persuade Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to provide one, - nothing has happened.  I'm told that all attempts at serious discussion have come to naught.  A friend of mine, Dot Clayton, has tried, for a long time, to whip up enthusiasm for a theatre in Ashford. You may have seen her some time ago, collecting petition signatures in and around Ashford High Street.  A lady called Pat Purnell has also tried. She also collected thousands of signatures. These were presented to ABC several years ago. I’m told that there have been several other attempts with the same result:  We still don’t have a proper theatre in Ashford.

Ask yourself this:

1.      Why should we struggle to get the kids off to Canterbury to see a pantomime?

2.      Why should the elderly and disabled have to use the train (buses won’t cut it) to watch their favorite musical?

3.      If we want to see a play or musical why can't we see one in Ashford?

4.      Why should amateur dramatic societies have to depend on local schools for the use of their hall or alternatively, rehearse and perform outside of Ashford? 

5.      Wouldn’t it be great to watch some old time music hall?  Watch and enjoy local pop group talent? Listen to choral music?

WHY SHOULD ANYONE HAVE TO LEAVE ASHFORD IF THEY WANT TO SEE A CONCERT OR ANY KIND OF THEATRICAL OR MUSICAL PERFORMANCE? 

Just before Christmas, Dee Collins and I visited The Playhouse Theatre in Whitstable to see what they have accomplished on their own. The Playhouse is home to the Lindley Players and is an old converted Methodist church. I can only say that what we saw was absolutely amazing.  It was a Saturday Morning and we were cordially received by Mr. Howard Lee who gave us a guided tour of the place. The whole theatre was seething with volunteers preparing for their pantomime “Sleeping Beauty”  The sound and lighting box was a joy to behold.  Although this is an amateur theatre everything was done to the highest professional standards.  A picture paints a thousand words so please visit http://www.theplayhousewhitstable.co.uk and see for yourself. I am full of admiration for what these people have achieved and wish them every success in the future. Thank you to Howard Lee and his team for showing us their theatre. They are doing a fantastic job.  

We can do that too! Given the chance.

Meanwhile: for all of Ashford’s modernisation plans , without a theatre, ASHFORD WILL BE A NEW NOTHING.  - Ashford  is becoming a highly modernised  but sterile, concrete town, without a heart, without a soul, without vision and without character.  In other words : COLD.

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Let the will of the people of Ashford change that!

WE WANT A THEATRE HERE IN ASHFORD!

WE'LL DO IT OURSELVES!

To do this we have no choice but to ask for your support and DONATIONS. We need to raise our first £5000.-- before we can go forward. To donate click here