ONE of Swindon’s oldest theatre schools is growing, and now has what it hopes is a permanent home, for years to come.

Tanwood Youth Theatre, based at Delta in West Swindon, is part of the Tanwood School for Performing Arts. It currently leases unit 701 and 702 two units at the business park and has now taken another one.unit at the park for five years contract with an option to renew.

The theatre school was based in Bath Road for many years, then for a number of years from 2009 had to sublet other school’s spaces until director Pollyann Tanner came across the units at Delta.

In the a year since the performing arts school moved there, it has seen a 25 per cent increase in youngsters wanting to learn to dance and act.

Pollyann said: “We finally feel that we have a place we can call home again.

“This part of the school will have a funkier vibe and it will be a massive addition to this place.

“It feels like everything has fallen into place, this feels right, and it will be our home for many years to come.”

The new space will open in September and it will include new studios as well as becoming the home of their costume company.

The move comes in time for the school’s 75th anniversary which it will be celebrating next year.

Pollyann’s daughter Olivia Wicks is also now a teacher at the school and her mum hopes that the young choreographer will take over the running of the school in the future.

She added: “This is our family heirloom and it means the world to my family.

“My mother Mollie Tanner who founded the company loves the new space and it is also thanks to her that we have achieved where we are today.”

To celebrate the new venue they plan to hang up framed pictures of former pupils who have gone on to the West End and well-known ballet companies to inspire current students. as to what’s possible.

And the move will bring a tribute from one of Britain’s greatest ever dancers.

Dame Darcey Bussell, the retired Royal Ballet prima ballerina, and now a judge on Strictly Come Dancing, will be honouring them with a surprise special gift for the new unit.

Having the dance and theatre school move into the 1,025 square foot unit, which was previously a fitness and health studio, has delighted Delta

Daniel Pitt of the Delta’s agents Kilpatrick & Co said: “We are very pleased that we were able to support and offer more accommodation to Tanwood.

“They are doing an amazing job encouraging and supporting children and young people in all areas of the arts. We hope this extra unit will support them in their valuable work.”

The school will be hosting summer camps for budding young actors, dancers and singers starting on Monday July 25.

The course costs £25 for a single day, running from 9am to 3pm (with a half-day option for four year olds) or £100 for the whole week, with a free T-shirt.

There will be classes in dance, drama, musical theatre, singing, cheerleading and gymnastics as well as some arts and crafts.

Email tanwood@tiscali.co.uk for the booking form, or download one from tanwood.webs.com/summerschools.htm