We would love to welcome you at our monthly Community Alliance Meeting at Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre, Flowergate, Whitby YO21 2QP.
We are keen to set a convenient date for our Whitby Youth Action working party, so bring your diary along if you want to be involved!
Our meetings are relaxed and inclusive. They allow us to discuss local issues and explore common challenges.
Pass it on! If you know someone who would like to attend our monthly meetings, please pass this along to them. We will add them to our mailing list when they attend their first meeting!
Future meetings August Tuesday 19th 9 -10 (Zoom) September Tuesday 16th 9 -10 October Tuesday 21st 9 -10 November Tuesday 18th 9 -10 December Tuesday 16th 9 -10
We recently gave a presentetion to te North York Moors National Park Cultural Partnership – and we thought it was too nice to leave on the computer desktop – so me made it into a minoi movie – it’s a silent film – no soundtrack – but we hope it gives you a lovely remindre of what we have achieved so far!
Parents of Whitby – get ready to give your kids the BEST summer ever! 🌈 The legendary Five Star RatedFlowergate FEAST Summer Fun Club is BACK and bursting with creative energy, unforgettable adventures, and laughter-filled days at Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre!
🎨 What’s Flowergate FEAST?
Only the coolest, most creative summer club in town! Now in its fourth fantastic year, FEAST is all about fun, friendship, and freedom to explore.
Each day is led by a dream team of professional artists, musicians, and activity leaders who know exactly how to spark imaginations and get kids moving, making, and smiling.
🎟 Book Now – Spaces Are Limited!
We’d love to welcome your child into our FEAST family – but places fill fast, and this is one summer party you don’t want to miss!
IF YOU NEED SUPPORT BOOKING YOUR PLACES DROP INTO FLOWERGATE HALL AND ASK FOR HELP! We are here to make this easy for you and can lend you an ipad so that you can log on and book you place. Even if you want to book a FEAST place somewhere else we can hep you to do that as well!
📩 Email us at flashcompanyarts@gmail.com for support with registration 📞 Call 07508 641880 for more info
📍 Find us at Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre, Flowergate, Whitby, YO21 3BA
👕 Just bring your child in comfy clothes and get ready for an unforgettable summer at Flowergate FEAST!
📅 Save These Dates – Summer Sorted!
Join us for FOUR weeks of fabulous fun, running Monday to Thursday, with flexible dates to suit your summer schedule:
Week 1 – 21st to 24th July
Week 2 – 28th to 31st July
Week 3 – 4th to 7th August
Week 4 – 11th to 14th August
🕣 Daily Schedule: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Drop-off in the morning, pick up in the afternoon – easy!
🎭🎶 What Will They Do All Day?
Honestly? SO MUCH. And they’ll love every second. Every child gets to choose activities they love, from a spectacular menu of creative workshops and playful sessions like:
🎭 Drama & Theatre – Perform, improvise, and play!
🎶 Live Music & Singing – Find your rhythm and sing your heart out!
🎨 Art & Model Making – Get messy and masterpiece-ready!
📷 Photography – Frame the world through your own lens!
💃 Dance & Movement – Shake it, spin it, strut your stuff!
🏅 Indoor Play & Games – Team up, move your body, win big!
🧘 Yoga & Mindfulness – Chill out in our calm and colourful Zen-Den!
🌟 And that’s just the beginning – every day is different, every experience is unforgettable.
🥪 All-Inclusive: Food, Friends, and FUN!
That’s right – no packed lunches here! We serve up:
A yummy breakfast
A nutritious lunch
And healthy snacks to keep energy levels soaring!
All included, all delicious, and all designed to keep your child fuelled for fun.
Let’s make this summer magical. Let’s make it FEAST. 🌸☀️🐰🎉
You can read more about our recent success with a special award for our Rebecca – such a great endorsement of all we do at Flowergate Hall.
If you want to know more about all the ways you can get involved with making, creating and building community in Whitby drop us a line at flashcompanyarts@gmail.com – together we can make Whitby even more brilliant than it already is!
Flash Company Arts is proud to share that its founder, Rebecca Denniff, has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List as a recipient of the British Empire Medal (BEM) for exceptional services to music education.
This national honour recognises decades of work supporting young people and communities through creative music-making, performance, and inclusive, community-rooted arts practice. Based in Whitby, Flash Company Arts has become known for its commitment to reaching those often excluded from mainstream opportunities and for its nurturing, youth-led approach to arts engagement.
The award also acknowledges the challenges overcome by Rebecca in bringing this work to life, including the social and structural barriers faced by many working-class and rurally based women.
Reflecting on the award, she shared:
“This kind of recognition is never something I imagined. It’s not something I’ve ever worked toward or expected. But when I saw that the award was specifically for music education, and for the work we do through Flash Company Arts, I felt I had to accept it – not for myself, but for everyone who’s been part of this journey.
As a northern, working-class woman who has lived through domestic violence, and the isolation that comes with being a rurally based parent to children with disabilities, I know how often opportunities and recognition are out of reach for people like me. To have the work we’ve done in Whitby acknowledged in this way means more than I can easily put into words.
This medal may have my name on it, it belongs to many. To the young people who’ve trusted us with their creativity. To the artists who’ve walked alongside us. To the communities who’ve welcomed and supported what we do. And to every individual who’s helped make space for our work to thrive.”
Flash Company Arts continues to work at the heart of its community, championing inclusive, accessible, and creative opportunities for all. This recognition marks a powerful milestone in that journey.
Parents of Whitby – get ready to give your kids the BEST summer ever! 🌈 The legendary Flowergate FEAST Summer Fun Club is BACK and bursting with creative energy, unforgettable adventures, and laughter-filled days at Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre!
🎨 What’s Flowergate FEAST?
Only the coolest, most creative summer club in town! Now in its fourth fantastic year, FEAST is all about fun, friendship, and freedom to explore. Each day is led by a dream team of professional artists, musicians, and activity leaders who know exactly how to spark imaginations and get kids moving, making, and smiling.
📅 Save These Dates – Summer Sorted!
Join us for FOUR weeks of fabulous fun, running Monday to Thursday, with flexible dates to suit your summer schedule:
Week 1 – 21st to 24th July
Week 2 – 28th to 31st July,
Week 3 – 4th to 7th August
Week 4 – 11th to 14th August
🕣 Daily Schedule: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Drop-off in the morning, pick up in the afternoon – easy!
🎭🎶 What Will They Do All Day?
Honestly? SO MUCH. And they’ll love every second. Every child gets to choose activities they love, from a spectacular menu of creative workshops and playful sessions like:
🎭 Drama & Theatre – Perform, improvise, and play!
🎶 Live Music & Singing – Find your rhythm and sing your heart out!
🎨 Art & Model Making – Get messy and masterpiece-ready!
📷 Photography – Frame the world through your own lens!
💃 Dance & Movement – Shake it, spin it, strut your stuff!
🏅 Indoor Sports & Games – Team up, move your body, win big!
🧘 Yoga & Mindfulness – Chill out in our calm and colourful Zen-Den!
🌟 And that’s just the beginning – every day is different, every experience is unforgettable.
🥪 All-Inclusive: Food, Friends, and FUN!
That’s right – no packed lunches here! We serve up:
A yummy breakfast
A nutritious lunch
And healthy snacks to keep energy levels soaring!
All included, all delicious, and all designed to keep your child fuelled for fun.
🎟 Book Now – Spaces Are Limited!
We’d love to welcome your child into our FEAST family – but places fill fast, and this is one summer party you don’t want to miss!
This summer, we’re inviting you to slow down, explore your creativity, and rediscover the stories that everyday objects can tell. Beginning Friday, June 27th, Café Joy at Flowergate Hall will host a free 4-week art course exploring the expressive world of assemblage collage, found objects, and memory boxes.
Held over four Friday afternoons – June 27, July 4, 11, and 18, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM – this course is designed for absolute beginners and seasoned creatives alike. You don’t need any previous art experience — just curiosity and a willingness to experiment.
Assemblage is a playful, meaningful way to create with what you already have: bits of paper, old keepsakes, small objects, and personal items that hold memory or emotion. You’ll create memory boxes, layered collages, and textured compositions that tell a story — your story.
Course Details: 📍 Location: Café Joy, Flowergate Hall 🗓 Dates: Fridays – June 27, July 4, 11 & 18 🕜 Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM 🎨 Cost: Free 📌 Booking Required – Spaces are limited
All materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own small items to include in your work.
Come enjoy a warm, welcoming creative space with friendly faces, good conversation, and the joy of making something by hand.
To book your place, please email david.flashcompanyarts@gmail.com
We’re thrilled to announce that Flowergate FEAST returns this summer at Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre in Whitby! As part of North Yorkshire’s FEAST programme, we’re offering free, enriching holiday activities — complete with tasty meals — for eligible children aged 5 to 14.
FEAST stands for Food, Entertainment, Arts, Sports and Togetherness, and is funded by the Department for Education through the North Yorkshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
📍 Venue:
Flowergate Hall Community Arts Centre, Whitby
🧒 Who is it for?
Children and young people aged 5–14 who:
Are in Reception to Year 11, and
Receive benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM).
We will have a limited number of additional places available for additional children. 👉 If you’re unsure about eligibility, please get in touch at: flashcompanyarts@gmail.com
🗓️ Summer 2025 Dates & Times
FEAST will run from 8:30am to 4:30pm on the following dates:
July: 21, 22, 23, 24 28, 29, 30, 31
August: 4, 5, 6, 7 11, 12, 13, 14
🎨 Expect a fun-packed programme of creative arts, games, sports, and nutritious meals in a warm and welcoming setting. It’s a fantastic way to make friends, stay active, and try something new — all for free!
📝 Spaces are limited – booking info will be released soon.
Let’s make this summer one to remember – together! 🌈
We’re thrilled to announce that the Whitby Big Sing is back for its fourth joyful year — and it’s already shaping up to be something really special.
On Thursday 19 June 2025, schools from across the Whitby area will come together at the Whitby Spa Pavilion for a full day of music, movement, and shared creativity. This free event, which runs from 10am to 2pm, is part of the international Make Music Day celebration — connecting us to thousands of musicians and singers taking part around the world.
As always, the Big Sing is being delivered in collaboration with Flash Company Arts, the Community Anchor Organisation for Whitby and East Whitby School with support from Julie Matthewson, and led by local singer, composer and community artist Rebecca Denniff, along with a dedicated creative team.
What makes the Big Sing so special?
If you’ve ever stepped into the Pavilion during a Big Sing, you’ll know the feeling: hundreds of young voices, warm-up songs echoing off the walls, teachers clapping in time, and that unmistakable sound of community rising.
Every year, schools are invited to:
Perform one or two songs of their own choosing
Join together to learn and sing a selection of shared songs
Take part in energetic group warm-ups and vocal games
Enjoy a professional development opportunity for staff
And of course, take part in the full-company Big Sing to close the day
There’s no pressure, no competition,just a chance for children to sing their hearts out on Whitby’s town stage in a fun, supportive environment.
Looking back…
Over the past three events, we’ve welcomed schools of all shapes and sizes — some bringing whole classes, others arriving with choirs or even their entire school. We’ve heard show tunes, pop favourites, original songs, sea shanties and everything in between. Each year has been a little different, but the atmosphere is always the same: electric, encouraging, and filled with joy.
What’s new for 2025?
This year’s event will also feature:
A lunchtime performance from young musicians in local schools
A preview of Flash Company Arts’ upcoming KS2 ‘5-a-day’ Song Bank — a new resource for regular singing in schools
And as always, the event is completely free to take part in — schools just need to arrange their own transport to and from the venue.
Want to get involved?
If you’re a school already signed up — we can’t wait to see you! If you’ve never joined us before and want to know more about future events, keep an eye on our website or get in touch with the team at Flash Company Arts.
Because when we raise our voices together — something magical happens.
The Whitby Big Sing 2025 🗓 Thursday 19 June 📍 Whitby Spa Pavilion 🎤 10am – 2pm 🌍 Part of Make Music Day
Whitby is no stranger to the strange, the beautiful, and the unexpected – and that’s exactly why it makes the perfect home for Switched On, a weekend-long celebration of experimental, electronic, and synth-based music. After an unforgettable 2024 edition, we’re thrilled to announce that Switched On returns to Whitby from November 7–9, 2025 – and this year promises to be our biggest yet.
Last year’s festival transformed Flowergate Hall and the Unitarian Chapel into buzzing hubs of creativity. The lineup featured genre-defying artists like Scanner, Burd Ellen, Me Lost Me, and The Twelve Hour Foundation, spanning everything from ambient textures to pulsing synth-pop. But Switched On isn’t just about performance – it’s about participation. 2024 also saw us launch a powerful collaboration with WIRED and AMP Music, offering emerging artists from underrepresented genders mentorship, performance opportunities, and hands-on experience with vintage gear and electronic production.
Why Switched On Matters
Switched On isn’t just another gig weekend – it’s a celebration of sonic experimentation and inclusive creativity. It’s where vintage modulars meet cutting-edge ideas. It’s where emerging talent shares the stage with established innovators. And it’s all happening right here, in Whitby, a town whose rich atmosphere, eerie charm, and vibrant arts scene make it the ideal setting for something this unique.
Get Involved, Get Inspired
Whether you’re deep into the world of modular synths or just curious about the electronic underground, Switched On offers a welcoming, thrilling space to explore. Expect live sets that will melt your mind, workshops to fire up your creativity, and a community that celebrates sound in all its glorious forms.
Tickets Are On Sale Now
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable weekend. Grab your tickets via Eventbrite
Flash Company Arts 