AN appeal has been launched to upgrade Helmsley Arts Centre (HAC) 21 years since a fire caused devastating damage.

On August 15, 2000, the fire ravaged HAC’s much-loved auditorium and destroyed a large part of the roof of the building.

The damage was devastating but through local support and the determination of trustees and volunteers, the Arts Centre was swiftly rebuilt, redecorated and re-equipped and the doors opened again after just eight months of closure.

Artistic director Natasha Jones, said: “It’s been 21 years since then and the theatre is now in urgent need of new technical equipment and general refurbishment.

“Having survived the Covid-19 lockdowns thanks to wonderful support for our Light UP HAC appeal, we now need to focus on updating our lighting and sound equipment, repainting the auditorium and making essential repairs, so we can continue to provide high-quality events and activities for our communities.

“So we’re launching this 21 for 21 appeal in the hope of raising £21,000 to help cover a significant portion of these upgrade costs.

“The theatre is used by a multitude of people including the 1812 Theatre Company and 1812 Youth Theatre, Technical Theatre Training students, our toddlers’ music group Harminis, touring theatre companies, bands and musicians, comedians, local businesses and our wonderful audiences for cinema, theatre, music and more.”

Natasha said: “By donating, you can help HAC to continue providing high-quality events, activities, groups and training to the people of Ryedale and beyond.”

Helmsley Art Centre is housed in what was once Helmsley’s Quaker Meeting House, built as a venue for meetings in 1812.

Later used for many years as a Methodist chapel, it was acquired from the Quakers in 1984 by the newly-formed Old Meeting House Trust.

The first performance took place on 2 May 1993 and the Arts Centre programme continued to go from strength to strength — until the night of the fire.

Natasha said: “The whole community supported our effort to rebuild as quickly as we could, with improved technical equipment and even bigger artistic ambitions. Renamed Helmsley Arts Centre, we reopened in April 2001. We’re aiming to recapture the spirit of that rebuilding in our 21 for 21 fundraising campaign.

“But we’re not just asking for donations. We’d love to hear from you if you have memories, photos or more information about the HAC fire and its aftermath. We’d love to hear from you!”

To donate go to https://localgiving.org/appeal/HAC21for21 and to share your memories contact Natasha at director@helmsleyarts.co.uk or phone 01439 771712.