Trust Fund Press Report

Youngsters with a promising career on the stage could benefit if an idea to help them financially gets off the ground.

Irene Holland, who runs The Willow Tree Dance School in Tiverton, was prompted to set up a trust fund to aid cash-strapped pupils take up places at dance schools after she learned the sad story of two who couldn't afford to take up a place offered to them.

"A couple of my pupils can't go away because they can't get funding and we have had a few tears," explained Irene, who said some of her pupils mothers suggested setting up some kind of trust fund to help foot the bills.

Now Irene is hoping that sympathetic people will come forward to help set up the fund to endow scholarships for those who need financial assistance.

"We want people to support it. Some of the mums have formed a little committee and we thought we would set out how we can do it.

Tiverton Gazette		August 16th 2005
"Willow Tree Trust Fund Will Help Talented Dancers To Foot School Bills"
Youngsters with a promising career on the stage could benefit if an idea to help them financially gets off the ground. Irene Holland, who runs The Willow Tree Dance School in Tiverton, was prompted to set up a trust fund to aid cash-strapped pupils take up places at dance schools after she learned the sad story of two who couldn't afford to take up a place offered to them. "A couple of my pupils can't go away because they can't get funding and we have had a few tears," explained Irene, who said some of her pupils mothers suggested setting up some kind of trust fund to help foot the bills. Now Irene is hoping that sympathetic people will come forward to help set up the fund to endow scholarships for those who need financial assistance. "We want people to support it. Some of the mums have formed a little committee and we thought we would set out how we can do it.	The Mayor, Paul Williams, is very supportive and we're hoping to attract support from people who can help us set up a trust fund," added Irene. The idea for the fund comes as the cast of this year's end of term Willow Tree production are celebrating their latest triumph, Up The Narrow Staircase. (See review here). Set in a fictional school, where pupils of all ages and abilities were taking classes and joining in rehearsals, it told the tale of the arrival of an idolised boy band who joined the others to practise their routines. In fiction-land, the band, Tuxedo, then becomes part of the performance, making their own contributions as the story unfolds. Anybody who may be able to help Irene and the pupils' mothers with the trust should contact her on 01884 252629.