Cadets answer call for help as Northampton musical charity revamps new home

Pictured from left to right: Luke Webb, Erin Clarke, Reanna McGuinness, Karen, Tim Mundy and Janan Fifield

The Performing Room, which was based in Overstone Road for ten years, lost their home in September 2019 after the building lease expired, soon to be made into flats.

That’s when landlord, Rakesh Thakarar, stepped in.

Rakesh and his wife Minal were reading the charities plea to find a new home in the Chronicle & Echo and months later, when his building became empty, he left The Performing Room boss, Janan a voicemail on his phone.

Karen pictured decorating one of the 30 rooms that needs sprucing up

Janan was given the keys to the premises on December 16 and although building works are well underway on the ground floor there are four more floors still to revamp with more than 30 rooms.

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Janan Fifeld said: "We have been overwhelmed by the messages of encouragement and support that we have received from the people of Northampton since our article was published and we want to say a massive thank you to everyone who got behind us on Saturday to help with the makeover.

"Those were Emyn and Sarah Wharton at EW Catering Solutions who fed us, Ryan at West End DIY for donating paint and supplies, the young people at the cadets and all our fabulous friends, family members and volunteers for lending a huge helping hand it is greatly appreciated."

Volunteers pictured getting stuck in to decorating over the weekend

When The Performing Room was at its former Mounts-based building, it was purpose-designed to inspire the next generation of musicians who wanted to build on their confidence, make new friends and find an alternative to mainstream education. This is what Janan is trying to recreate at their new five-storey hub opposite the museum, in Guildhall Road.

Chief cadet officer Julie Mead said: "Our cadets are amazing, they not only receive a unique experience working with police, fire and the ambulance service but they contribute to their communities by working with worthwhile projects such as this while gaining life skills."

More than 60 people a day, from 40 local services, accessed projects at The Performing Room, which include musical activities, IT, photography, production and radio broadcasting – just to name a few.