The 10th anniversary of Spring Bank Arts in New Mills is being celebrated on Saturday (July 16). 

The Open Day and Exhibition runs from 10am to 4pm and is free for everyone to attend with mini talks and music throughout the day.  

The Café will be open with fresh tea/coffee and homemade cakes. 

It was back in 2005 that the beautiful Chapel of St James the Less closed its doors and a local group set up a Preservation Trust to rescue the building. 

Facilities were modernised and level disabled access created before it was officially opened as Spring Bank Arts by radio and TV personality, Ian McMillan in September 2012. 

It now runs a successful and varied programme of arts and community events.  

Hundreds of events and presentations have been held including children’s Science Club, sell-out performances by members of the Halle Orchestra, brass band concerts, folk, and jazz groups as well as storytelling and drama. 

Many community organisations run groups from Spring Bank Arts including High Peak Community Arts and U3A groups (University of the Third Age) and the centre hosts groups offering Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates.  

The pandemic proved quite a challenge, but government and local authority grants helped them through and allowed them to carry out much needed restoration on windows and stonework on the main external wall. 

A group of eight trustees and a dedicated team of volunteers are responsible for continuing this major success story for the people and community of New Mills and the High Peak area. 

Help celebrate the first ten years at the Open Fay and Exhibition running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 16^th July. 

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