Mayor Recognises Cultural Contributions with Charitable Donations to Local Performing Arts
At the close of the 2024–25 Council Year, the Mayor of St Neots, Councillor Richard Slade, officially presented donations totalling over £9,000 to five local performing arts organisations—funds raised through a year of community fundraising, culminating in a 453km charity cycle ride from St Neots to its Cornish namesake, St Neot.
The cheque presentations took place during the Annual Town Meeting on 20 May 2025, where the Mayor recognised the vital role the arts play in enriching community life.
Each of the following five organisations received £1,850:
- Peppercorns Academy, supporting young people in music, drama and dance since 1983.
- St Neots Players, performing since the 1920s and known for their full-length plays and festive shows.
- VAMPS, celebrated for their large-scale musicals and family-friendly variety shows.
- Riverside Theatre, a youth theatre offering training and performance opportunities for aspiring young actors.
- Pocket Productions, the town’s youngest troupe, producing original musicals, magic shows, and adult pantomimes since 2017.
Funds were raised throughout the Mayor’s 2024-25 term from a series of popular events including the St Neots Dragonboat Festival, Mayor’s Charity Golf Day, Teddy Bear Picnic, and the delightfully chaotic Crazy Bingo Night. These community events, supported by generous local residents and businesses, formed the backbone of the Mayor’s fundraising efforts.
A highlight of the year’s fundraising was the Mayor’s personal endurance challenge — a three-day, 453km cycle from St Neots to St Neot in Cornwall. The Parish of St Neot warmly welcomed the Mayor at the journey’s end, offering support and encouragement to mark the conclusion of an inspiring charity effort.
The Mayor said:
“It has been an honour to raise funds for such passionate and talented local groups. Their work brings joy, creativity and opportunity to people across our town, and I’m proud that our community has come together to support them so wholeheartedly.”
The donations, which are particularly important given the pressure placed on the groups through the temporary closure of the Priory Centre, will help ensure St Neots remains a vibrant hub for arts and culture.
