York Residents Festival - Inside the Joseph Rowntree Theatre
Joseph Rowntree Theatre was another of the venues that we visited as part of the York Residents Weekend.
Backstage tours were available (one of the tour parties is on the stage in this shot), although since our daughters performed here numerous times, we were more than familiar with the building itself.
The Rowntree Society also had a display about the history of the Rowntree Confectionary business, with information about the principles by which the Rowntree family ran their business (they were Quakers). There were two short films, and various items connected with the Rowntree family were available. The group in front of the stage were looking at the books and leaflets available.
A guided tour of the area close to the theatre looking at places linked with the Rowntree family was also available.
My main aim here was to acquire a copy of a new Rowntree Society booklet of five self guilded Rowntree walks in and around York, for use in future days exploring our city.
The Joseph Rowntree Theatre was designed by the architect Barry Parker, and built in 1935. Mr Peter Rowntree was one of the Trustees of the firm responsible for its construction and is understood to have spent much time and care in making it one of the most up-to-date halls in the country. It was built at a total cost of £12,000, and the auditorium seats 450.
It was opened on Monday 18th November 1935 by Seebohm Rowntree, then Chairman of the Rowntree & Co Limited, with the aim of: ‘providing a hall which may be a fitting centre for those recreational and educational activities which make for a full and happy life’.
The Trust that now runs the theatre continues to strive to achieve the same objective.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
It's amazing the extent of the generosity of the Rowntree family. Not only did they provide this theatre, but a library, sport facilities, parks and gardens, a swimming pool and many other facilities. No doubt the Rowntree walks booklet will lead me to discover and photograph more locations linked with the family.
No factory tour, but since I spent most of my working life there in various departments, it isn't really necessary. It is sad in some respects that Nestlé took over the business, but it did bring massive investment to make the factory more competitive and gave it a much more secure future. Many of the old parts of the factory have not been used for a number of years. Plans envisage redevelopment of some buildings as apartments.
Ian
February 2nd, 2017
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Thank you all for your lovely comments, they are very much appreciated.
It's amazing the extent of the generosity of the Rowntree family. Not only did they provide this theatre, but a library, sport facilities, parks and gardens, a swimming pool and many other facilities. No doubt the Rowntree walks booklet will lead me to discover and photograph more locations linked with the family.
No factory tour, but since I spent most of my working life there in various departments, it isn't really necessary. It is sad in some respects that Nestlé took over the business, but it did bring massive investment to make the factory more competitive and gave it a much more secure future. Many of the old parts of the factory have not been used for a number of years. Plans envisage redevelopment of some buildings as apartments.
Ian