Our history

In 1984 the Methodist Church was being remodelled and no longer needed the Sunday School situated at the top of the hill behind the church. Led by Dr John Coope and Mrs Pat Penney, a group of keen actors and singers formed a trust and negotiated loans in order to buy the Sunday School building, renaming it Bollington Arts Centre.

In 1984 Pat Penney spotted that Bollington Methodist Church was selling its Sunday School, tucked away up the hill just behind it. With Dr John Coope, she led a group of enthusiastic locals, many initially brought together in 1964 for the first Bollington
Festival, to purchase that building. In later years she played a vital role in its expansion too, serving for many years on the guiding Management Committee. It is now this thriving, multi-purpose Bollington Arts Centre (BAC).

Mrs Pat Penney BA(Hons) 1930 – 2014
Pat was an enthusiastic and gifted singer, actress and theatre director who constantly inspired and encouraged many in our community. She had been a key member of Festival Players, Choir, and Bollington Light Opera Group since their modest beginnings but she had the vision of a permanent home for Bollington groups that could flourish in rehearsal and performance. Groups grew and new ones formed, always with Pat’s enthusiastic support. Pat felt it very important to inspire young people and so set up her Children’s drama courses under the banner of Janus Studios.

Many children passed through the doors of BAC and thanks to Janus Studios developed a lifetime love of theatre and performance. Now grown they no doubt continue to support and enjoy BAC. She was a loyal friend who happily shared her talents to grow this unique community asset. We are proud to name a key rehearsal space upstairs the Pat Penney Room.

Dr John Coope M.D. M.B.E 1928 – 2005
Dr John was a true Bollingtonian with a strong sense of civic duty and a man of science with a passion for the Arts. Our local G.P. was also respected internationally for his research into hypertension, puppets and Chekhov. He tended the sick; he galvanised a small town.

In 1964 Dr John initiated the first Bollington Festival, his vision being “to rekindle the community spirit”. It encouraged home-grown talents and gave rise to numerous groups still thriving today. Subsequent festivals reinvigorate this “celebration of local vitality”, featuring existing societies and prompting new ones.

Dr John’s inimitable energy and talent for sparking enthusiasm made the Arts Centre possible. He led the group of trustees who bought the building and he guided its expansion from theatre and rehearsal space to today’s dynamic home for arts, culture and social endeavour, accessible to everyone.

Much of what is unique and fine about Bollington is due to the inspiration of Dr John Coope. Certainly, Bollington Arts Centre is indebted to him.

Our supporters

Bollington Arts Centre is indebted to its many Sponsors & Supporters of which there are too many to name here – you know who you are – thank you!

We are also very grateful for the support we have received from WREN for £40,000 towards a new roof in 2009 and a further £30,000 for refurbishment of our auditorium in 2011, to Cheshire East Council for £2,000 towards auditorium curtains in 2013, for £30,000 towards refurbishment of our Pat Penney Room as part of a S.106 agreement in 2014 and for £750 along with £250 from Bollington Town Council towards our new website in 2015.