POSITIVE news has come for a community theatre and arts venue facing difficult times.

The Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre at Upton Cross is to have its team recognised by the country’s most prestigious accolade for volunteers – the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).

And as the charity struggles with the financial pressures brought by the pandemic, it has also learned that it will receive an Arts Council England grant for £21,000.

The money will be used to help the Sterts company take three shows on tour in the autumn, mitigating against the fact that its summer season looks set to be heavily impacted by the lockdown restrictions.

‘Being an open air theatre, albeit canopied, performances beyond the end of September can be uncomfortable for cast and visitors alike,’ said a spokesperson.

‘Currently all rehearsals and performances are on hold, so Sterts will see a severe reduction in its 2020 income, as much depends upon performances in the summer months.’

Centre director Peter Woodward said: ‘The main purpose of the grant is to be able to take the casts on tour to other local venues such as Launceston Town Hall or similar, in the late autumn.

‘This is a new avenue for Sterts Theatre Company, but if successful could be repeated in future years.’

Sterts is a charity and receives almost no public funding: the ticket sales and member income it relies on has temporarily stopped. As well as working hard to raise cash through crowdfunding, the centre is still planning for the season so that it is ready to jump into action whenever the go-ahead to rehearse is given.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is recognition of the enormous dedication of the volunteer team at Sterts, said chair of the trustees Alison Fenn.

The award will be presented by Lord Lieutanant of Cornwall, Edward Bolitho, later this summer – and two of the volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2021.

Graced

Volunteers have been the backbone of the Sterts Theatre since it first opened on the site of a derelict pig farm more than 30 years ago.

It was the intention of founders Ewart and Anne Sturrock that everyone, no matter their age or background, could share a passion for the arts, whether through watching or performance.

In the years since it opened, the centre has become an important part of Cornwall’s cultural scene.

As well as playing host to top names in theatre, comedy and music, the stage is graced by community performers, schools and youth theatre groups: the centre has its own theatre companies for adults and for young people aged seven to 25. An average of 14,000 visitors generate more than £100,000 per year at the box office. But none of the events or performances could take place without the volunteers, explains director Peter Woodward.

‘Sterts puts on over 80 events each year and volunteers manage tasks as varied as bar, box office, chaperoning youth groups, staffing the café, stewarding shows and selling snacks or ice creams in the interval. Every event is entirely operated by the volunteers, from the duty manager to those in high vis in the car park, and this award is fitting recognition for all of them,’ he said.

‘Additionally, the volunteers help maintain the grounds and the theatre, including looking after around 2,000 pieces of costume and props.’

Chair of trustees Alison Fenn said: ‘I am delighted to hear that our wonderful volunteers have been acknowledged with this award. It’s not always easy to applaud all the hard work put in every year by the volunteers, without whom Sterts could not function.

‘This award is recognition of all their dedication to the charity and a well-deserved accolade for each and every one of them.’