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Taking
a break from starring at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal in the new farce by
Paul Elliott, There’s No Place Like a Home, 'Allo 'Allo’s Gorden
Kaye made a surprise visit to
the Devonshire Suite last Friday for a meeting with Phoenix Fund
Chairman Leon Wade.
Much to the amusement
of the local traffic warden, Gorden Kaye arrived by car to be greeted by
Leon Wade who gave him a tour of the site and explained about the
Phoenix Fund and what Long Eaton and District’s Arts Council’s plans
were for the future.
Leon Wade told the
Trader: “I received an early morning call from our Consultant Director
of Fundraising, Graham Smith, to say that Gorden wanted to come over to
Long Eaton to see what was going on. He had heard all about the project
from Keith Simmons who had recently been in town directing our charity
variety show.”
Gorden Kaye took up
the story: “Keith and I are old friends and both, coincidentally, Past
King Rats of the Grand Order of Water Rats. He suggested I contact our
mutual friend Graham Smith whilst I was in Nottingham to see if it would
be possible to visit Long Eaton to learn more about this excellent
project. Graham kindly picked me up and we met Leon who shared with me
his enthusiasm for what I believe to be an excellent project to bring
live theatre back to the town.
“I very much hope that
the Water Rats will continue their support for this project and
eventually that we will be able to present something from the new stage.
With so many theatres going ‘dark’, it is great to see a project for a
new theatre to serve so many local groups, societies and - very
importantly - young people. I look forward to following progress and to
offering my support whenever I can.”
Graham Smith told the
Trader: “I’ve known Gorden since when I used to work for Headway the
brain injury association. He has been most supportive and a friend of
our family and came down from his West Yorkshire home to open the
Ockbrook School winter fair for our daughter Victoria some years ago.
He was also the guest speaker at my Charter Night when I was President
of the Rotary Club of Long Eaton. To have his support for the Phoenix
Fund is a real coup.”
Picture: Phoenix Fund Chairman Leon Wade (right) with Gorden Kaye at the
Devonshire Suite last Friday
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