AWARD-WINNING TV writer and series creator Jed Mercurio and local MP Munira Wilson were among the 130 strong guests for a special 'thank you' reception at Teddington's Landmark Arts Centre last week (3 March).

The event was held especially for donors and supporters of the emergency crowd-funding campaign, launched at the height of the pandemic in April 2020, to save the centre from permanent closure.

Jed Mercurio, writer of the television series Bodyguard and Line of Duty, lives locally in Teddington and has been a big supporter of the Landmark's fund-raising efforts, becoming an official Patron of the Centre last year.

In a speech to the guests, Landmark Centre Manager Lesley Bossine said: "Without your support we would almost certainly have had to permanently close our doors and this building would be cold and empty."

Lesley also outlined the ongoing significant and expensive challenges the organisation still faces surrounding the maintenance and upkeep of the Grade II* listed building, but emphasised the Landmark's commitment to keeping the centre a vibrant cultural hub for the whole community.

Chair of Trustees, Martin Nicholds, also paid tribute to the support of the community, saying: "We were lucky enough to receive £75,000 from over 2000 people in the community from the fundraising campaign.

"This gave us credibility with the Arts Council and almost certainly would've been a significant factor in being awarded the £150k Cultural Recovery Fund grant which has allowed us to continue as an arts centre.

"Thank you to everyone, you saved us."

Twickenham MP Munira Wilson, who came out in support for The Landmark during the pandemic, said: "What a wonderful treasure the Landmark is in terms of promoting music and the arts and being a fantastic venue that's available to the local community.

"I'm just so delighted that you're still here and thriving."

Guests at the event enjoyed a preview of the Surrey Sculpture Society showcase exhibition, which ran at The Landmark until 6 March, as well a performance by one of the Landmark's resident choirs, the Landmark Singers.

To see more about the Landmark's upcoming events go to: https://www.landmarkartscentre.org/

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