Community Group hosts Free Animal Show

Press Release - 27/11/15

Steve Lucock

The ALT Group, a newly formed local community group has teamed up with local venue Blackhill Comrades Club to offer free entertainment, to the community in Consett on Thursday night.

Animal Show host and Magician Steve Lucock, 50 from Blyth has previously featured on Britain's Got Talent and Channel 5 Series, 41 Dogs In A 3 Bed Semi, received a warm welcome to the venue and entertained over 100 guests and volunteers with his comedy and education show alongside live animals.

In between the laughter, children and adults were introduced to many creatures including a Meercat, Skunk and Zante the Fox who are all rescued by Steve's animal rescue charity, Saviours Haven Sanctuary.

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During the evening a three course meal was served by willing local volunteers who managed to cater for many more guests than were expected. Food for the meal was received through generous donations from local businesses including, Yagers Butchers, Maddison's Cafe, Sweetharts Bistro, Lintzford Farm & Lanchester Dairies, as well as donations from individuals and diners from The ALT Group's weekly Community Meal.

Local mum, Erica Oteng, 27, said “we wouldn't normally be able to afford to go out for dinner and a show, especially with the travel involved, but this was great, we had an amazing night and it was just on our doorstep”

The ALT Group is a Community Interest Company and all profits are used for the benefit of the community, it was formed in September this year and has started in order to bring free of charge meals, events and other community based activities, open to everyone, in Consett.

In order to provide a weekly, free of charge Community Meal, this new organisation has teamed up with a well loved local social venue, Blackhill Comrades Club in order to deliver the project.

Founding member and company Director Terri Lee-Shield said “there are many families and individuals in our area who work hard and don't have spare cash available to have family nights out, these events allow for everyone in the community to have a chance to socialise, make friends and get out of the house.”

The ALT Group plan to host more events in the area and their Community Meals are served every Thursday from 5:30-7pm.

Photography by Lyndsey-Dee Usher