News

Let’s make New Mills beautiful, filling our town with summer blooms and enhancing the vibrancy of our pretty town. New Mills has a tradition of being filled with colourful flowers and hanging baskets over the summer months, and we plan to hang 60 hanging baskets to brighten our streets and show visitors what a wonderful […]

It’s Panto time in New Mills and once again it’s colourful, it’s fun, it’s audience participation and a great night out!  Frosted is presented by Friends of the Art Theatre.  Kim Cooper makes her debut as pantomime Director and I have to say I have worked many years with Kim and she has done an amazing job.  Of course, you can’t have a panto without music and dancing and leading the musicians is Oliver Jodrell who has done a super job with ensemble vocal harmonies.  Great to see Cathryn Yates back as choreographer.  This team of dancers is well drilled and, what’s more, work their socks off on stage with a smile on their faces. The principals work as a team and congratulations must go to Dave Brittles who stepped at short notice to play the role of Prince Anders the pantomime baddie.  He had us booing and hissing throughout his performance and he was ably assisted by Lisa Quin as Sinestra. Dave also played the role of Token and did a great job of that. Grace Tildesley (Ella) and Keira Lambe (Hannah) the two princesses had strong musical vocals and good character acting.  Tom Farris as Kristian was very natural in this role and Grace Vickers was a good choice as the snow queen.  Anthony Lambe as the herald made the role fun and got the party going. Congratulations to Helena Ashbury as Scoop, this was only a small role but I have to say she made it her own.  Now to Ross Provart who played Duke Wesley who became Frosty.  This young man never fails to amaze me.  His characterisation is his own, which for a director is a blessing.  As the Duke, his accent and delivery is uniquely his, then the transformation into Frosty is a totally new different accent and almost giddy character, who the children will love. He is very entertaining and his timing with the Dame is excellent for one so young.  It’s great to see Darren Cooper back as the Dame.  His banter with the audience is first class and his costumes fabulous.  I said colourful at the beginning – well the finale is the icing on the cake.  Many congratulations to all involved in this pantomime  – stage crew, sound and lighting, costumes, make up, chaperones, and of course the extra volunteers who run this magical little gem of a theatre. Wishing you all a fantastic run and thank you for asking me down to do this report. Sheryl Haydock-Howorth Tickets are still available so don’t delay, hurry and get your tickets now. Performances Friday 30 January, Friday 6 February and Saturday 7 February – 7.15pmSaturday 31 January, Sunday 1 February and Saturday 7 February – 2.15pm Ticket information:Adults: £14.50Under 16s: £12.50 Book your tickets now at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/arttheatrepantomime Booking fees may apply. 

New Mills Juniors Football Club has kicked off a massive fundraising campaign in search of £150,000 towards a new football and community building in the town.   The project will be financed using donations from this campaign as well as funding from government, local authority and sporting grants.   With planning permission granted in late 2025, the building has been designed

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” This November, New Mills Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society will be doing just that with their magical production of Elf the Musical, based on the beloved holiday film. Running from Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 November 2025 at New Mills Art

As part of the build up to Christmas 2025, St. George’s Parish Church in New Mills is once again holding a Christmas Tree andCrib Festival from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 December. We believe the festival has now become an integral part of the Christmas attractions in New Mills and the wider community, and is

In the first half of the 20th Century, Sheffield’s steel workers and Manchester’s cotton mill workers escaped their polluted cities to reach the clean air of the Peak District. They travelled by train on the Hope Valley line which passes through New Mills. Today the Peak District National Park exists for all of us to

Blythe House Hospice’s New Mills charity shop has been shortlisted for the UK’s Favourite Charity Shop Awards for the East Midlands. The winner will now be decided by a public vote.The Awards, run by the Charity Retail Association, are now in their second year and are a celebration of the impact that charity shops have

The Handlebards – a four-strong troupe of actors – return to New Mills on 30 July, with an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare

New Mills Juniors Football Club has submitted plans for a football and community building at Ollersett Fields in New Mills. Aimed at providing a secure indoor space for use in community functions and events as well as enabling football activity, the building will feature a canteen with accessible toilets, baby changing facilities and players’ changing

Once again, the New Mills Art Theatre presents a pantomime that sparkles and shines, and what a pantomime it is.  This script, by Nick Lawrence is fresh, new up to date and entertaining.  Added to which are some new faces in the cast. Director Cathryn Yates has worked wonders with her principals, they were well