LIMEHURST Village and the wider Hollinwood area in Oldham has received backing from Arts Council England with a £50,000 investment.

It is to support what Regenda Homes claims is ground-breaking local model for arts engagement that aims at embedding arts and culture into everyday life.

Established in 2016 by Regenda in partnership with Oldham Council Arts and Heritage Service, The Limehurst Arts Society is based on a co-operative model in which members built up shares and rewards by participating in projects, cultural events and workshops.

Since it started, the Limehurst Arts Society has had more than 2,000 participants, a number set to rise thanks to the new funding.

The injection of £50,000 will support a two-year programme of high-quality arts activity in the community where everyone can get involved.

The programme will include a new participatory theatre commission, temporary public art around the Hollinwood area, master-class workshops in photography and print, and trips to the Liverpool Biennial and Oldham Coliseum.

There will also be the opportunity to participate in high-profile local and regional events including the annual Reindeer Parade, Spare Parts Festival and Illuminate Light Night.

The Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants were set up to achieve Art Council England’s mission: "Great art and culture for everyone".

The Limehurst Arts Society is one of many not-for-profit projects supported by this funding to create new work and sustain quality, helping new audiences across England to engage with arts and culture.

Cllr Martin Judd, deputy cabinet member economy & enterprise, Oldham Council: “Oldham is a town with a brilliant cultural heritage and real ambition to create opportunities for many more people to experience high quality arts activities.

"Limehurst Arts is an exciting next step for a truly innovative community arts programme in Hollinwood. It represents a successful and refreshing partnership approach that we’re committed to and aim to build on in the years ahead.”

Bill Lovat, regional director at Regenda Homes, said: “At Regenda we’ve been committed for years to supporting and investing in Regeneration through Community Arts, because we know what a fantastic impact it has for people of all ages and the places where they live. We all want to see long term improvements to life chances, wider aspirations and increased access to opportunities: this funding will help the community to achieve those ambitions”.

The new programme from the Limehurst Arts Society will be launched for local residents in early March. There’ll be events around Hollinwood – keep in touch for more details.

Everyone will be able to sign up for membership and join in the new exciting opportunities over the next two years.