Flash Company Arts

Tag: community

  • The Whitby Big Sing Returns – A Celebration of Voices, Joy and Community

    The Whitby Big Sing Returns – A Celebration of Voices, Joy and Community

    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

  • 🌿 A Hedge, a Song and a Celebration of Whitby: Penny Hedge 2025

    🌿 A Hedge, a Song and a Celebration of Whitby: Penny Hedge 2025

    This morning, as the tide crept into Whitby’s Upper Harbour, a small crowd gathered for one of the town’s oldest and most curious traditions: the planting of the Penny Hedge. And of course, Flash Company Arts was there to witness it, alongside our friends in the Whitby Community Choir, to mark the moment in our own creative way.

    The Penny Hedge

    If you’ve never seen it, the Penny Hedge is a quiet but powerful ritual. Every year on the eve of Ascension Day, a symbolic hedge is planted in the mud of the harbour using hazel stakes and woven twigs. It’s an act rooted in legend, penance and centuries of local history. The hedge must be strong enough to withstand three tides — or tradition says dire consequences will follow.

    For us, it’s a chance not only to observe a beautiful piece of living folklore, but to come together as artists, singers and proud Whitby folk.

    As the hedge was planted, Whitby Community Choir sang our traditional song for the day — a simple, heartfelt moment of reflection and joy. There is something special about singing in the open air, with the harbour behind you and a community around you. This is what Flash Company Arts is all about: connecting creativity with place, people and tradition.

    We didn’t stage a performance or take the spotlight. We were there to witness, to sing, and to celebrate a town that inspires so much of what we do. Our presence at Penny Hedge is part of a growing rhythm for us — marking the calendar not just with dates, but with shared experiences and artistic responses.

    🪵 Fun “Facts” About the Penny Hedge Legend

    • The tradition dates back to 1159, making it over 860 years old.
    • Legend has it that three noblemen killed a hermit while hunting near Whitby. As penance, they were ordered to build a hedge in the harbour every year — forever.
    • The hedge must be built with a wooden penny knife, without metal nails or modern tools.
    • If the hedge doesn’t survive three tides, the tradition says the penalty would return to Whitby’s noble descendants.
    • The ceremony is still performed by the Bailiff of the Manor of Fylingdales, and the hammer and horn are kept under lock and key except for when they are used during the ceremony!

    To everyone who paused with us this morning — thank you. See you next year, same place, same tide.

  • Coming Together for Whitby’s Children and Young People

    Coming Together for Whitby’s Children and Young People

    A recap from the Whitby Community Alliance meeting – 20 May 2025

    On 20 May, a committed group of local organisations gathered at Flowergate Hall for a purposeful and energising meeting of the Whitby Community Alliance (WCA), focused on how we can better support our children and young people (CYP).

    The session brought thoughtful discussion, practical ideas, and a real sense of shared direction.

    Who Was There?

    Representatives attended from:
    Carers Plus, Caring Together, Flash Company Arts, Hope Whitby, Living Well, Pannett Art Gallery, Ryedale Community Transport, WHISH, Whitby Group Practice, and Whitby Youth Club.

    What We Talked About

    The Local Picture

    Children and young people in Whitby face a range of complex challenges, many shaped by rural isolation, limited transport, and restricted access to suitable activities and spaces. These concerns reflect themes in the Child of the Northreport, which outlines persistent regional inequalities across the North of England.

    Inclusion and Diversity

    WHISH shared powerful insights from their work with young people who live with over 50 different impairments and syndromes — many of them rare. Their input reminded us how important it is for services to be flexible, inclusive, and responsive to the full range of needs in our community.

    Youth Voice in Practice

    There was shared agreement that embedding Youth Voice in service design and delivery is vital. We need to involve young people not just in feedback, but in shaping the work we do from the ground up.

    Access, Aspiration and Opportunity

    We discussed the need to open up more facilities and create more opportunities for youth volunteering. Helping young people build confidence, skills and real-world experience will strengthen the future of our community. Volunteer experiences create a virtuous circle of community action — sparking engagement, ownership, and long-term involvement.

    As one participant put it: “You have to see it to be it.” Providing visibility of opportunities and role models helps to broaden young people’s horizons.

    FORGE and Creative Connections

    We also looked at the work of FORGE, the Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) for North Yorkshire. FORGE connects schools, arts organisations and community groups to improve access to creative and cultural opportunities for children and young people. Aligning Whitby-based efforts with this county-wide network could open up valuable new partnerships and projects.

    What’s Next?

    The group agreed to establish a new Children and Young People Action Group under the Whitby Community Alliance. The group will focus on identifying shared priorities and developing collaborative strategies to improve opportunities and outcomes for local CYP.

    It will be co-chaired by Rebecca (Flash Company Arts) and Yvonne (WHISH).

    If you’d like to be part of the Action Group, please just send me an email — we’d love to have you involved.

    Save the Date

    Our next Whitby Community Alliance meeting will take place on:

    Monday 17 June 2025
    Theme: Vision for Volunteering in Whitby

    We’ll be exploring how to grow a strong and inclusive culture of volunteering — one that works for young people, older volunteers, and everyone in between.

  • Boost Your Wellbeing with Flash Company Arts This February

    February is shaping up to be an exciting and creative month with Flash Company Arts, as they roll out a whole raft of engaging activities designed to help you boost your wellbeing. Whether you’re a music lover, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a fun way to unwind, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

    What’s On?

    Flash Company Arts has lined up a diverse selection of activities, all aimed at fostering creativity, relaxation, and community connection. Here’s what you can look forward to:

    🎻 Folk Band (Wednesdays, 10:30 AM – 12 PM) – Love traditional tunes? Join the folk band and play alongside others who share a passion for folk music. A fantastic opportunity to learn, collaborate, and have fun.

    🎸 Guitar Jam Sessions (Wednesdays, 1 PM) – Grab your guitar and join in! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these jam sessions offer a great way to express yourself through music.

    ☕ Flash Arts Café Sessions (Fridays, 1:30 – 3 PM) – A relaxed, social setting where you can enjoy creative discussions, art activities, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

    🎨 Drop-in iPad Arts Sessions (Mondays, 1:30 – 3 PM) – Explore the world of digital art with expert guidance. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to develop your skills, these sessions offer a unique way to experiment with creative technology.

    ✍️ Whitby and Grosmont Writers Group (Second Monday of the Month) – A supportive space for writers to share their work, exchange ideas, and develop their craft. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an experienced wordsmith, this group is the perfect place to find inspiration.

    🧘 Happy Seal Yoga (Tuesday Nights at the Hall) – Looking for a way to unwind and reconnect with your body and mind? Happy Seal Yoga meets every Tuesday night at the mall, and you can book directly with them for a refreshing and revitalizing session.

    🎭 Lobster Pot Youth Theatre (Wednesdays, 4:30-6:15 PM) – Our amazing youth theatre is an exciting opportunity for young people to explore drama, build confidence, and work together on incredible performances. This year, they’ve chosen to stage Shakespeare’s The Tempest—a bold and brilliant choice! Best of all, it’s completely free for young people to participate.

    🎶 Whitby Community Choir (Wednesdays, 7-8:30 PM) – Love to sing? The Whitby Community Choir is open to new singers, welcoming all voices and experience levels. Come along and enjoy the magic of group singing in a warm and friendly environment!

    📌 No Booking Required! – All of these fantastic sessions are drop-in friendly, so you can just turn up and take part—no need to book in advance!

    Why Get Involved?

    Engaging in the arts isn’t just about creativity—it’s also a powerful tool for mental and emotional wellbeing. Studies have shown that music, art, and social activities can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health. Flash Company Arts provides a friendly, inclusive space where you can connect with others, try something new, and give yourself a creative boost.

    So, why not take a break, pick up a guitar, paint on an iPad, write a story, or even step onto the stage?

    Join In!

    No matter your experience level, Flash Company Arts welcomes you to get involved and embrace the joy of creativity this February. Drop by a session, bring a friend, and make time for your own wellbeing.

    📞 Contact us:
    📱 Phone: 07508 641880
    📧 Email: Rebecca.flashcompanyarts@gmail.com

    For more details, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you!