CULTURAL organisations across the district are celebrating a further funding boost.

The Forum, Hexham, will receive an additional £102,732 in the latest round of the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund - taking the total amount awarded to the cinema to over £200,000.

Additional funding has also been awarded to Mortal Foods Theatre, Prudhoe, which will receive an extra £44,000, alongside Satellite Films, Allendale, which will receive almost £31,000.

Allenheads Contemporary Arts and touring theatre group Théâtre Sans Frontières, Hexham, will also both receive grants of £14,000 and £18,038 respectively.

The Culture Recovery Fund was established to help cultural organisations and heritage sites survive the pandemic - a time where they were forced to close their doors to visitors and audiences.

Earlier this year, the Government announced a £1 million funding boost for cultural organisations across Tynedale and Ponteland, including the Vindolanda Trust Museum and Queen’s Hall Arts.

"This is fantastic news that we should celebrate", said MP Guy Opperman. "These venues are invaluable to the culture of our area and I am very glad this has been recognised with this funding.

"This builds on support provided to a range of businesses and cultural organisations across Tynedale and Ponteland ensuring they build back better from the pandemic."

John Cobb, joint artistic director, Théâtre Sans Frontières, added: “We are very pleased to receive this money from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which will support our work in rural schools in Tynedale, our adult theatre group in conjunction with Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, and future projects with schools, libraries and venues in Northumberland and beyond.

"This money supports the TSF base in Hexham, its continuing online presence reaching audiences across the UK, and its creative work with different elements of the community and in school settings."