Cardigan-based theatre company secures grant for vital sustainability repairs
SMALL World Theatre has started the year on a high after securing a capital grant from the Theatres Trust’s Theatre Improvement Scheme, in association with the Wolfson Foundation, to carry out essential repairs and improvements to its environmentally friendly venue in Cardigan.
The funding will support a three-part project focused on protecting and enhancing the building’s long-standing green credentials, helping to reduce costs, cut carbon emissions and safeguard the venue for future generations.
Small World Theatre is widely known as an environmental theatre company, celebrated for its giant puppets, large-scale public events such as the hugely popular Cardigan Giant Lantern Parade, and creative commissions including Art Afoot / Celf ar Droed, the recent public art trail in Goodwick and Fishguard.
Its Cardigan base has become a thriving creative hub for the community, hosting arts and wellbeing programmes, a successful aerial circus school, a vibrant youth theatre, and a year-round programme of live shows and entertainment.
The grant will enable repairs to the venue’s rainwater harvesting system, originally installed in 2008, which supplies water for toilets, washing machines and bathroom sinks. Restoring the system will reduce reliance on mains water, cutting both energy use and running costs.
Funding will also allow for the replacement of the building’s sedum roof, which has slipped and suffered damage over time. Once repaired, the living roof will continue to provide insulation, reduce flood risk, absorb carbon, increase oxygen levels and support pollinators.
In addition, damp repairs will be carried out to improve the building’s energy efficiency, helping to lower heating costs and further reduce carbon emissions.
Joshua McTaggart, Chief Executive of the Theatres Trust, said:
“Theatres Trust is delighted to support Small World Theatre with these crucial repairs, ensuring that the theatre company can continue to be a pioneer in sustainable theatre and offer a beacon of hope to its community in the face of the climate emergency.”
Further information about the project and Small World Theatre’s work can be found on the organisation’s website.
