Flood-hit theatre school reopens for fundraiser

A performing arts school in Rotherham has reopened after flood damage from Storm Babet forced it to close last year.

Jack’s Theatre School is based in Catcliffe, which faced severe flooding last October.

According to the Environment Agency, more than 200 homes had to be evacuated.

The owner of the theatre school is now putting on a fundraising concert to help local residents affected by the floods.

Olivia Egan, who runs the school, said she was “so excited to be back” at the Methodist Chapel, where the group is based.

She said: "It was a wonderful moment to open the doors again and see the smiles on the children's faces."

Mum Emily’s daughter has been performing at Jack’s for more than a year - and was missing her weekend classes.

Emily said: "She was so happy to get back to her safe space, it felt like coming home."

In October 2023, flood water from Storm Babet reached nearly 3ft (90cm) in the dance studio.

It took weeks for the building to dry out and Ms Egan relied on the help of dozens of volunteers to clean up after the water subsided.

She said although the building was now "dry and safe", she has had to make expensive investments.

"We have dehumidifiers continuing to dry the building to stop further mould and a brand new dance floor so if we flood again we can take it up, drain the water away and put it down again."

Although Jack's Theatre School has now fully reopened for classes, many local residents in Catcliffe are still waiting to return to their homes.

Students from the school are taking part in a Coming Home Concert at the Catcliffe Memorial Hall on Saturday.

Money raised from the concert will go to households affected by the flooding.

Ms Egan said: "The floods have devastated this community, we just want to help in any way we can."

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