Here we go, here we go…… !! It is a new year and another new beginning at Riverside. Let us hope that this will not be another false start after Covid and that this time we will really return to normality. How wonderful to see audi-ences back in January and February, with very successful Classical and Jazz concerts, sell-out Comedy Club and Speed Quiz evenings, and the theatre revelling in the colour, music, dancing and fun of the panto. Special mention here of the full house for the opening night of Old King Cole when 70 invited guests from the Penrose Club for Adults with Learning Difficulties had the time of their lives, joining in all of the tradi-tional pantomime routines. So good to see so many happy faces and their enthusiasm gives a great lift to the cast. May we continue to support Penrose for many years to come!
Meanwhile all manner of enthusiasts have been back, drawing & painting, or “pottering”, scraping, blow-ing or banging musical instruments, (with apologies to our pianists who caress the keys and don’t bang), flower-arranging, dancing to various tunes, Yoga-ing and Pilate-ing, not to mention the more cerebral amongst us meeting for poet-ising or book-worming.
People are often reluctant to join a new group or to consider a new skill or art form (well I know I am !) We tend to think that everyone there will be of a higher standard or much more serious about the subject, and that as a new-comer or returner you will be out of your depth. But that is almost certainly not the case at the Riverside because just about all our activities cater for people at all levels, from beginners to more experienced folk. Why not con-tact the group of your choice to find out more and maybe have a trial run ? One artistic group which meets monthly on Tuesday is called Pitch up and Paint and as the name suggests, they literally pitch up and paint, draw or colour, in order to create an artwork. Yoga is something that intrigues many and our classes on various days of the week really do cater for all levels, even throwing in a class for the Over 50s ! We continually read that work patterns have changed due to the Pandemic and that people are re-assessing their work/life balance. Well if that is you, just turn to our “Riverside presents…” elsewhere in this edition and consider what new hobby or interpret in which you could indulge and then get in touch for more information. And if there is nothing there that takes your fancy, why not consider volunteering to at one of Lower Sunbury’s two amazing organisations, Riverside Arts Centre and the Embroidery Gallery in the Walled Garden. Both have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and both need help to preserve these two unique local establish-ments.
Riverside Arts Centre
57/59 Thames Street Sunbury TW16 5QF www.riversidearts.co.uk 07796 531427 info@riversidearts.co.uk registered charity 272929