School Session Success at The Red House

Since the start of the new academic year The Red House have seen an increase in engagement with local schools despite the impact of Covid-19. Red House in-school visits have continued to be popular as well as long-term Arts Award projects with local schools, which have thrived during this period. Joe Carr, Collections and Learning Curator, tells us more…

A large number of Suffolk Schools have all explored Benjamin Britten and his links to the past through Music Through Time sessions and The new session Britten’s Childhood. As part of these sessions children have exploring the oldest object within the Red House collections, an Armenian Amphora or jar which is around 5000 years old and was presented as a gift to Benjamin Britten. Aldeburgh Primary School have also been continuing their Art Award success which they achieved over the summer holidays, by beginning an Arts Award Discover and Explore project with two classes. Over the summer 12 young people from the school achieved Art Awards Bronze level.

We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Autism in Nature and Stone Lodge Academy and Thomas Wolsey Academy. We will develop on our special school visits to The Red House through a Britten and music engagement project. Over January 2021 we will be developing and delivering a range on in school sessions with 8 separate classes, each exploring music, sound and collections. We are delighted that school engagement has continued to flourish through 2020 and into 2021.

Britten-Pears Arts Virtual Tea Dance Success

Snape Maltings and The Red House are delighted to have provided a virtual tea dance for care homes and vulnerable communities over lockdown. The virtual event took place on Tuesday 8th December over zoom. Over 200 individuals and community groups signed up to take part in our Zoom Tea Dance, hosted by singer Rob Gildon – this gave people the opportunity to connect with others and enjoy the project from the comfort of their own homes. 66 Care homes also signed up, including over 50 from Suffolk and the rest from places including London, Salisbury and further afield. DanceEast and Suffolk Libraries supported the Zoom event, with DanceEast providing and additional dance workshop after the event to go alongside our music workshop. As part of the event The Red House volunteer team assembled 35 hampers which were delivered to Care Homes across Suffolk by Sanctuary Personnel, including Mince Pies donated by Waitrose, Saxmundham . The event was a huge success and feedback from participants and care home has been wonderful.

o Paddy Geere House in Ipswich couldn’t wait, and actually did their Tea Dance again yesterday afternoon! 12 Residents joined in the lounge and took part in the event by singing along and dancing along with the ‘in chair’ routines demonstrated by the dancers on the film
o Pear Tree Lodge in Knodishall ran a pamper morning in preparation, with ladies having their hair done!
o Alice Grange Care in Kesgrave have a care home on 3 floors, so had three Tea Dances happening at the same time! They’ve managed to get further donations to support their event from the Oyster Inn, who made cakes and mince pies for the residents