The award-winning screenwriter Sally Wainwright has accepted an invitation to become a patron of Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax. Wainwright is known for filming several of her successful TV shows in Calderdale, where she grew up. She is excited to support the thriving arts centre. Square Chapel's director said they are delighted to have Wainwright as a patron as they embark on an ambitious £6.6 million extension project and new phase.

1. Square Chapel Centre for the Arts
10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG
Press Release
Wednesday 30 September 2015
Award-winning Yorkshire Screenwriter Sally Wainwright
accepts Square Chapel’s invitation to become Patron
Square Chapel Centre for the Arts, Halifax is delighted to announce that Yorkshire screenwriter Sally
Wainwright is to join their list of patrons.
The award-winning writer is Square Chapel’s first 2015 patron. Sally Wainwright will join Glen Baxter,
Sir Alan Bowness, Tim Pigott Smith, Sir Ernest Hall and Timothy West amongst others, as patrons of
the much-loved arts centre.
Wainwright is known for using the Calderdale area for her work - the BBC TV series Last Tango in
Halifax was filmed at Holdsworth House, her three part drama series Unforgiven and her smash hit
BBC series Happy Valley, that won her the recent BAFTA awards for Best Writer and Best Television
Drama Series, were also filmed in Calderdale.
Wainwright loves Calder Valley, where she grew up and is delighted to support the thriving arts centre
in the heart of Halifax. Sally Wainwright said “I am delighted to be supporting Square Chapel Centre for
the Arts as patron at the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their story.”
David McQuillan, director of Square Chapel said: “This is a real coup for us, as Sally not only grew up
on our doorstep but she continues to use the area in her writing. We’re delighted that Sally will not only
see us grow as a cultural hub, but will also support us with our future. We are really excited to welcome
Sally Wainwright as a patron of Square Chapel and as we embark on the next chapter of our journey.”

2. Square Chapel Centre for the Arts
10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG
Press Release
The next chapter for the arts venue with huge ambition includes a £6.6m extension.The capital build
will transform the venue by creating a new extension, level access to the main space and improved
facilities for everyone who uses the centre. The space will include an intimate 108 seater multi-purpose
cinema/studio theatre space for film screenings, performances and workshops; new dressing rooms,
improved toilets; a dedicated space for its committed volunteers; and a café-bar area serving locally
sourced food and drink. There will also be direct access into the Piece Hall’s new interpretation centre
creating a seamless cultural quarter in the heart of Halifax.
The build is part of the ambition to deliver a wider programme of events for existing audiences, to
attract new audiences and to help Square Chapel raise its profile and grow the community around it.
Square Chapel Centre for the Arts aims to be a hub to grow talent, ambition and to give people a
platform to be creative.
Preparation for the build commenced on Monday 21 September and the project should be complete by
the summer of 2017 with a full programme of events to launch in the autumn of that year. Until then the
centre will remain open as normal and continue to welcome audiences from across the region.
Sally Wainwright is also taking time out of her busy schedule filming for the second series of Happy
Valley, to support the venue with a sold out, up close and personal questions and answers session (on
Wednesday 30 September) that delves into her background, her passion for writing and her career.
Wainwright will be joined by Q&A hosts and friends of the writer - actors George Costigan (Rita, Sue
and Bob Too & Happy Valley) and Judy Holt (Coronation Street and At Home with the Braithwaites).
Ends
For more information please contact Sofia Cann, Marketing and Communications Manager, Tel
01422 353073 sofia@squarechapel.co.uk

3. Square Chapel Centre for the Arts
10 Square Road, Halifax, HX1 1QG
Press Release
Notes to editor:
Square Chapel Patrons:
Sally Wainwright; Glen Baxter; Sir Alan Bowness CBE; Sir Ernest Hall OBE; Dame Jennifer Jenkins DBE; Sir
John Manduell CBE; Tim Pigott Smith and Timothy West CBE.
The History of Square Chapel:
In 1988 six local theatre lovers bought a run-down Square Chapel for just £25. Their vision was to turn it into a
vibrant Centre for the Arts for professional artists and the community, a vision and ethos that has been embedded
in everything the organisation and its staff do.
Built in 1772, Square Chapel is a beautiful red brick Georgian Chapel and one of only a handful of square
churches ever built.
Years of neglect had taken its toll on the Grade II* listed building, which had fell into a state of dangerous
disrepair and remained seriously threatened with demolition until it was bought by the Square Chapel Trust. It
was structurally unsound with no windows, half a roof and a wall on the verge of collapse.
As the building work got underway and eventually the structure was deemed safe, there was no reason why
concerts could not begin straight away. Staff had to work with what they had as funds were still being raised, so
the earliest concerts took place in the dark, undecorated auditorium. The audience and performers wore hard
hats because of potential plaster falling from above and they were given blankets to stop them getting cold as the
building had no glass windows or heating.
Three years later, windows and doors were finally installed as well as fully functioning toilets. Then in 1993 an
office area and a dressing room was added but the Centre also needed a bar. Struggling with money, the Trust
did not have any spare funds to build one so they enlisted the help of volunteers who used donated materials. Old
bricks from the building were used and the bar itself was made out of old kitchen units. The ceiling was covered
with material to hide the exposed lighting and roof, a simple trick that is still in use today.
Fast forward to the present day and Square Chapel attracts almost 40,000 people per year to events and
activities and has gone from being run by volunteers back in 1995 to employing 20 full and part time staff.
Square Chapel has presented shows such as Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers; comedians Phil Jupitus, Rhod Gilbert
and Jerry Sadowitz; folk musicians Ralph McTell, Maddy Prior and Waterson:Carthy; supports rising stars, new
theatre companies and young talented musicians; provides the community with workshops, lectures and a
versatile space, and is home to the Orchestra of Square Chapel.
Thousands of pounds have been raised and countless hours of time and energy have been freely given to ensure
Square Chapel survives. It is an amazing story of hard work and determination, which still continues. There have
been many achievements, lots of happy memories, and much laughter. It is a great triumph to reach this point,
and as Square Chapel continues to grow, the future looks brighter and bigger than ever!
10 Square Rd. Halifax HX1 1QG
Tel: 01422 353073, Box Office: 01422 349422, Fax: 01422 347928
Email: info@squarechapel.co.uk Website: www.squarechapel.co.uk