A LOTTERY grant has been awarded to a theatre group towards weekly workshops for young people in a North Yorkshire village.

Badapple Youth Theatre runs weekly workshops in the village of Green Hammerton, near Knaresborough.

Along with Big Lottery funding, Badapple Youth Theatre has also secured a £500 contribution from North Yorkshire County Council which will help keep prices truly affordable for its members.

The theatre company is keen to offer more young people aged from 6 to 16-years-old the chance to enjoy local, fun, inspirational after-school acting sessions, saying arts subjects such as drama are increasingly missing from the school timetable.

Badapple’s founder and artistic director Kate Bramley said: "Our ambition is to put theatre at the heart of community life.

“It’s a storytelling tradition that goes back to Shakespearian times and beyond.

"Our Youth Theatre programs are high quality, confidence-building courses for young people in rural areas and make theatre a natural skill they can draw on and also a social event they can enjoy throughout their lives.

“We are deeply indebted to Big Lottery, and indeed all those who contribute by buying lottery tickets, for opening up these fantastic opportunities for young people.”

In July 2018, the young actors staged a sell-out performance of The Lost Gardens of Hammerton in Green Hammerton Village Hall.

Badapple Youth Theatre sessions take place on Tuesdays at Green Hammerton Village Club and are led by professional drama tutors.

The earlier session is 6pm to 7.15pm for six to ten-year-olds and then from 7.15pm to 8.30pm for ten to 16-year-olds.

Telephone 01423-339168 for more details.