Well Christmas and New Year sure do feel like a long time ago. I bumped into a friend recently and he said “Welcome to January, the month with 65 days!” It definitely feels like a long month!However the beginning of the month we had some great weather and there’s nothing like climbing a hill in the Peak District and taking in the view. There are exciting things afoot and more creative projects will awaken the senses as we head through the year.

Sprout Gives A Warm Glow

Looking back on last month and the fun we had with Captain Sprout fills me with a warm glow, (not because I’m sat next to the radiator in our garden office,) but because of the joy it brought to everyone who came to see it. So many happy, smiley faces. It’s a real privilege to be part of so many families’ Christmas traditions. We are already working on plans for winter 2026/27 and we can share more details as the year develops.

The Lab

We are excited to share a new project called “The Lab – Let’s Make Cool *!*!” This is for young people aged 11-18 who like making things or want to explore their creativity in a safe and fun environment. We recieved a couple of small grants to make this happen and now we are in the planning stage to realise our dream – passing on our knowledge to the next generation of makers.

Drama Sessions

Our youth theatre continues to be a joyful, fun space, with Saturday mornings full of games, creativity, and big ideas. Young REC and Juniors have been getting stuck into mask-making and performance, while on Monday nights our Senior Company are working on “The Animals” and they are heading to The Lowry later this year with their performance. What shines through in feedback is how REC makes young people feel. Happy, confident, and part of something, a place to play, express themselves, and feel they belong.