Shoreham's Ropetackle Centre shows what it's got

The Ropetackle Centre Trust board hosted a reception for sponsors and potential customers of the new facility on Thursday.

Guests filled the centre at the western end of Shoreham High Street and listened to a series of presentations, including a short film made by pupils of Buckingham Middle School, live music and irreverent sketches by comedians from the Komedia's Treason Show.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, the trust's chairman, outlined the board's plans for the centre, which will be fitted out shortly.

Around 180,000 has already been raised, but more funding is needed. In particular, the trust needs to raise 10,000 to match a grant from the UK Film Council to purchase a new digital projector, so that a programme of film can be started as soon as possible.

Board director Martin Allen gave a run-down of business sponsorship opportunities and the events that will be held at the centre under the marquee series, as part of the Adur Arts Festival. Founder director Geoff Howitt updated the audience on the progress of the Friends of the Ropetackle Centre, which now has more than 300 members and will be holding its first annual meeting at the end of April.

The trust has also agreed a tie-up with conference organiser Centrevents, whose boss, Geoff Hodgson, was on hand to give details of conference packages which will be available.

Adur District Council's chief executive Ian Lowrie wound up the presentations by paying tribute to the long-term dedication of trust members '“ who, after more than six years' hard work, were now seeing their work come to fruition

Mr Loughton said: "This was a great start to the life of the Ropetackle Centre and we look forward to welcoming as many people as possible through our doors as soon as our fit-out and fund-raising allow.

"We will be holding open days for residents to come and have a look around in April and, of course, the Friends of Ropetackle will be invited to specific events shortly. The Ropetackle Centre is really helping to put Adur on the map."