Clonter Opera has heaped praise on its long-term sponsors Mornflake in Crewe as it raises the curtain on an exciting programme for 2021.

Support from the breakfast company helped the Swettenham Heath opera theatre secure a £100,000 Cultural Recovery Grant mitigating the huge loss of ticket revenue during the pandemic.

Now Clonter has a full programme planned for 2021 including a virtual opera competition and performance project for schools as well as musical teas for the elderly and jazz, folk and gospel concerts.

Amanda Harman, one of Clonter's joint chief executives, said: "We are hugely grateful to Mornflake as one of our oldest and most loyal supporters.

"The success of Clonter's 2019 appeal and evidence of Friends subscriptions, regular donors, funding from charities and backing from corporate sponsors like Mornflake played a huge part in Clonter qualifying for the grant.

"This has enabled Clonter's 2020 emerging artist programme and digital community outreach programme to continue behind closed doors and be showcased in a weekly programme of digital events for audiences to enjoy on-line."

Clonter is currently in the midst of delivering virtual musical theatre workshops and shows to hundreds of schoolchildren across South Cheshire.

Amanda added: "We have been overwhelmed by the response from schools who have wanted to take part in this project which includes costume and puppet making as well as seeing a specially created film of an 'operatic panto' called Papageno's Quest starring the Queen of the Night, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Prince Charming and of course Papageno and Papagena from the Magic Flute.

"Teachers are saying how fantastic it is to see the children being able to work creatively together for this project as well as having a theatrical panto experience which they would otherwise be missing out on."

Mornflake, famed for its breakfast products worldwide, has age old links with Swettenham where William Lea first began milling oats in 1675 - nine years after the Great Fire of London.

The waters that flow through Clonter Brook powered the mill and descendants of the Lea family, still at the helm of the craft milling business, have long supported the theatre as part of their commitment to South Cheshire and its people.

Today the Gresty Road-based company is internationally recognised as 'Millers of Mighty Oats' and a household name for its award-winning porridge, granola and muesli ranges.

Mornflake is also proud to sponsor the Nantwich Food Festival, Nantwich Agricultural Show, Crewe Alexandra Football Club, Crewe Male Voice Choir and Crewe Alex Soccer School to name just a few.

Managing director John Lea said: "Swettenham is where it all began for us and our links with the theatre go back a very long way.

"We were delighted to see it secure the Cultural Recovery Grant and will continue to support its good works which includes developing the creative talent of so many local schoolchildren and providing opportunities for emerging artists, designers and technicians.

"I have attended many productions and look forward to a time when the theatre can open its doors. In the meantime it is doing a great job in keeping young people engaged with virtual workshops as it plans a great come-back for 2021."

It was back in 1974 when Jeffrey Lockett staged a charity opera concert with his wife Anita on their dairy farm at Swettenham Heath. A barn full of straw bales was converted into an auditorium for the night raising money for Cancer Relief. Since then Clonter has expanded into a 400-seater attraction with orchestra pit and dining facilities.

More than 900 children from Crewe, Macclesfield and Congleton have so far taken part in the virtual events including music and design workshops led by Clonter and more will take part over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile a bid is being prepared for an Arts Council grant to stage a fully staged production of The Barber of Seville with orchestra next summer. Mornflake is one of the organisations pledging support.

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