A touring tent of arts and performances is returning to Larches for a second year.
The Mobile Event Tent (MET) was set up at the St Bernard’s Larches and Savick Community Hub last summer.
And Preston City Council has confirmed it will be back for another month-long run hosting a diverse range of events many of which are free or low-cost.
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Nearly 1,800 people visited events last summer at the MET in Elswick Road which was the highest on record compared to previous locations of the mobile venue which has previously been in Ribbleton, the university square and on the old Markets car park site during the Animate construction period.
The city council say the Larches edition of the MET saw nearly 750 more visits than the previous year when it was on the Tesco car park in Blackpool Road.
Performances and events are managed by local co-producer Emma Caffrey who is from the Community Hub organisation in Larches.
She said: “We’re coming back with The MET. Last year was so good and so many people enjoyed it and came out to attend events. I was asked to do the programme again, and I got so much out of delivering it to the public that I said yes.
“I’m currently working on the programme to make it bigger and better than last year. We had 42 events last year and this year I want to reach at least 45 events. It’s going to be fun-packed and a busy programme, but I’m sure I’ll do Larches and Preston proud of The MET in its final year in Larches. Most events will be free and open access, with some ticketed activities.”
The MET is put on in conjunction with arts group In Certain Places who pioneered the building of the tent which has space of up to 100 people and a 12x12m open event space.
Co-curator of In Certain Places, Charles Quick, said: “In Certain Places recognises the important part that that culture can play in creating community cohesion, developing an identity and raising aspirations especially within communities on the periphery of our cities.
“We are building on last year’s successful approach of working in partnership with our community coordinator Emma Caffrey to engage the community through open focus groups to create a program that truly reflects the interests and talent of the communities of the Larches and Savick.”
In its recent budget the city council’s Labour administration committed £180,000 in the next two years to funding the MET and bringing culture to communities beyond the city centre.
Cabinet member for culture and arts, councillor Anna Hindle, said: “The MET is a powerful example of how culture can be embedded directly within our communities. By bringing high-quality creative activity into Larches and Savick, we are increasing access to opportunity, supporting young people and families, and strengthening pride in place.
“The growth in attendance last year demonstrates the real appetite for locally rooted cultural programming. We are proud to continue supporting The MET in partnership with In Certain Places and the local community.”
The MET will operate in Larches from Friday 17 July through to Saturday 15 August meaning many of the events fall within the school summer holidays.
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