Christmas Grotto made by Roehampton Dance and Drama lights up Alton Estate
- Monday, January 24, 2022
Roehampton technicians and academics continuing to utilise old shop unit for community engagement
Michael Toon, Bruce Sharp and Jonathan Wilson, Lecturers and Technical Tutors at Roehampton’s School of Arts have been thanked for their contribution to Roehampton’s first Christmas Market last year.
Determined to make a connection between the University and the Alton Estate, they built a canape using foliage, holly and ivy found around the university’s campus, with drama equipment being used to add the finishing touches to the Grotto, which was based in an old shop unit on the estate.
The presents for the Grotto were donated and wrapped by the Putney Rotary Club.
As part of Roehampton’s first Christmas Market, it ensured that children in the community were able to visit Santa Claus locally on the estate.
The unit has been utilised by the university before, with Michael Toon collaborating with Roehampton alumna and founder of the CoDa Dance Company, Nikki Watson, to bring digital dance workshops to the Alton Estate last summer.
These workshops were running as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe, which shakes up South West London every year with an eclectic programme of arts and culture.
Michael Toon, Senior Lecturer in Dance at the University of Roehampton, said:
“We’re thrilled that there was such a fantastic response to our Christmas Grotto in our local community. It follows in the footsteps of community engagement done by Sport Roehampton’s James Ayres, as well as Nikki Watson and the CoDa Dance Company.
We’re determined to continue using this space for community arts projects that are tailored to the wants and needs of the residents on the estate.
It’s important to continue fostering the connection between the estate and the University. Being so close to each other means that we can benefit the community while showing them what the University is all about.
We’re looking forward to opening the floor to more ideas in the future so that we can keep on using this space as a positive and aspirational environment.”