Kenton Keepers Club Launches
Kenton Keepers Club LaunchesThe theatre was buzzing on Saturday morning, March 13th when supporters and celebrities, including Debbie McGee, Vince Hill, 'Legs' Larry Smith, portrait artist Bill Mundy, MP John Howell and Mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin, partied at the launch of the Kenton Keepers Club - our latest initiative in the Kenton for Keeps campaign.
The aim of Saturday's event was the launch of our Kenton Keepers Club - a new club that we've set up specifically to help raise the funds needed by July 2010 to purchase the Kenton freehold. "We need to raise £350,000 and we need to raise it fast," said Trustee and Fundraising Group Chairman, Richard Goddard, adding, "This is a unique and historic deal - a one off opportunity to safeguard the future of the theatre." Any surplus will go to a Kenton Endowment Fund to be used for long-term improvements to facilities.
Guests were treated to champagne and homemade cakes, courtesy of Luscombe's in Lower Assendon, at a carnival themed reception, MC'd by Alan Elston, with presentations from the Trustees, especially written poems from Wendy Huntley and Judy Yeates and the opportunity to buy a square foot of the historic Kenton stage.
"It's been a brilliant event - a great, fun way to spend Saturday and at the heart of what Henley is about," said Henley MP, John Howell promising, "I will do whatever I can to help."
Debbie McGee, Radio Berkshire DJ and wife of magician Paul Daniels had such a good time, she'd like a regular get together, "It's fantastic and I wish we could do this every Saturday - come in and see our friends for coffee and cakes. It's been great fun."
The Kenton Keepers Club aims to encourage and acknowledge donations - however large or small - with five levels of personal membership from Ambassador (any donation) to Safe Keeper for donations above £500, Gate Keeper for donations over £1000, Head Keeper for donations over £2500, and Life Keeper for supporters wishing to donate a very significant sum and become a Kenton Theatre Life Patron.
Kenton Ambassadors are invited to make a donation of their choice with the aim of involving those not currently in a position to make a larger gift, but whose support and practical help is very much appreciated and most vital to the theatre's future. "Ambassdors are our most important Keepers - we need your networking, your ideas, energy and organisational skills," said Alan Pontin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, adding, "We welcome you all in any guise and ask you to seize the opportunity to be part of our heritage and history."
Each will receive an Ambassador badge and it is hoped that their membership stimulates a greater involvement such as organising their own fundraising events or distributing flyers in their own neighbourhood, college or workplace.
Benefits of the Kenton Keepers Club vary depending on level of membership and may include tickets to celebrity gala events and the Chairman's Luncheon, VIP seating for Kenton for Keeps events, limited edition broach or cufflinks, theatre plaques, signature on the safety curtain, seat plaques, pavement plaques (if permitted), priority booking, Kenton Keepers social events and complimentary 'Bring a Friend' tickets.
Celebrity guest, musician and tap dancer 'Legs' Larry Smith of the infamous Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, was very keen to get involved saying, "I appeared in The Fairly Liquid Show to help save The Regal and I'm more than happy to do the same to help The Kenton."
Henley's favourite songster Vince Hill, who took to the stage for Kenton for Keeps in December - and earned a deserved standing ovation - also joined the party to show his support, as did Mayor Elizabeth Hodgkin. A keen chorister and former member of the Henley Link Theatre group, she is passionate about keeping theatre live in Henley and has promised to tread the boards again in future fundraising shows.