Concert will help bring hall alive again

The Anstice Memorial Hall in Madeley centre shut its doors in February 2014 but has since been bought by Madeley Town Council and is being brought back to life and refurbished for the community, with one possibility being that part of the 19th century building may become the new home for Madeley library.

A charity called The Anstice Community Trust with volunteer trustees was formed in July 2015.

And the concert by Hadley & District Orpheus Male Choir at the Anstice will raise cash towards the refurbishment. Starting at 7.30pm, it will feature traditional male voice choir music as well as music from the shows.

Although not the first concert held there since the closure, conditions for the audience are now improved.

Musical director Robyn Davies said: "Jackfield Band did a concert last Christmas. There was no heating. Now they have had all the heating and wiring sorted. The audience will find it comfortable and heated.

"The floor of the ballroom is looking beautiful now. I've been there two or three times.

"This is one of the first concerts to raise money to get the Anstice back to where it should be. The main thing to do is get disabled access for upstairs which is a big problem.

"Structurally the building is sound and the acoustics are lovely. It is mainly cosmetic work that is needed. The entrance was really dark and unwelcoming but Lovatt's builders, which are doing the development of the old Madeley Court School, came up with paint and the whole of the reception, foyer, and stairwell have been decorated and it's just looking so much better.

"There's a possibility that the library might go in there. It's an iconic building and it's such a shame it has been allowed to get to the stage it is and it's lovely to see it becoming a community building."

Tickets for the concert are £5 and are available from Jubilee House in High Street, Madeley, or from 01952 567286.