26 August 2010
Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar is set to get a much-needed facelift next week thanks to volunteers from EDF Energy Networks.
The 17-strong band of staff, from the company’s Potter’s Bar office, will be swapping their desks for paint brushes and overalls in the marathon makeover on Friday (September 3).
The team, which includes staff from the company’s highways services department, will be painting the box office, hallways, café and bar areas of the popular community theatre, re-painting two meeting rooms and helping to reupholster some of the chairs used in the café.
Theatre manager Ginny Williams says the offer of volunteer support couldn’t have come at a better time for the theatre which is in need of some ‘TLC’ in time for the forthcoming pantomime season.
Ginny said: “We have managed to find the money to replace the carpets and had made a start painting the wall behind the box office but that’s about as far as we’d got. As a charity, we really appreciate the support of the community so when EDF Energy Networks offered to help out we were delighted.
“The theatre is very important to the local area, offering theatre and cinema in our main auditorium, a venue for local clubs and a variety of meeting rooms, some of which are used by EDF Energy Networks staff.”
Challenge organiser and volunteer Liz Nicolaou, from EDF Energy Networks, said: “Like many local companies, we often use the meeting rooms at the theatre, which is just across the road from our offices, in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar. We are really pleased to be able to help and put something back in this way.”
The volunteer work is part of EDF Energy Networks’ Helping Hands scheme, which allows all staff two days of company time a year to support local community and environmental projects.
ENDS
For further information, contact Tracey Sparling in the EDF Energy press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around a-fifth of the nation’s electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.
Wyllyotts Theatre:
Wyllyotts Theatre is a charitable organisation run by Hertsmere Leisure. Further information about the theatre is available at: www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk