A PARTY is being held to celebrate the first birthday of the reopened Shakespeare’s New Place.
Shakespeare’s New Place opened last summer following a two-year, £6million makeover project which also marked the 400th anniversary of the playwright’s death.
Over the past year some 150,000 visitors from all over the world have explored the site where Shakespeare’s home once stood, admiring the contemporary artworks, its gardens and discovering the story of Shakespeare’s adult life.
The re-opening of the historic site created 22 jobs, with 47 volunteers regularly donating their time to support day-to-day operations, from welcoming visitors and giving talks, to hosting activities and tending to the gardens.
And to celebrate a successful first year the site is holding a free community party for Stratford residents and emergency service employees and their families.
On Sunday (August 20) there will be live music and activities including face painting, origami and magic tricks between 12pm and 4pm.
For the adults there will be free gin tasting courtesy of local artisan gin makers, Shakespeare Distillery.
In the year it has been opened New Place has also been home to a number of art projects and theatre performances.
It is the trust’s first property to have full disabled access and is also a dementia-friendly venue.
Manager Chloe Malendewicz said: “New Place is a seamless blend of the historic and the contemporary, offering visitors a complete contrast to anything they will find in Stratford, or indeed the world.
“We’ve had a great first year welcoming visitors and local residents, many have returned again and again to enjoy this tranquil little oasis in the heart of Stratford.
“We have a great day planned and look forward to welcoming visitors and families for what promises to be a fun day of celebrations.”
Visit www.shakespeare.org.uk for more information.
