Launching The Hall's Croft 10,000 Project

At the Club’s meeting on 13 October 2026, Committee member Nikki Pearson (pictured) launched the Shakespeare Club's Hall’s Croft Project 10,000 project.

She outlined its aims:

 •        To raise £10,000 over a period of 3 years to support the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's Hall’s Croft conservation project as part of their ‘House For All Time’ campaign.

•        To raise the profile of The Shakespeare Club within the town community.

•        To develop community relations through collaboration with other organisations in the town.

•        To enhance the relationship between the Club and SBT.

The project is inspired by Dr John Conolly, one of the early members of the Committee, who suggested in 1834 that the Club should have a serious purpose, rather than being an organiser of social and educational events. The Club’s first project was to raise funds for the preservation of the Shakespeare monuments in Holy Trinty Church which were in need of attention.

As a result of his enthusiasm the Club led the idea that Shakespeare’s Birthplace and other buildings associated with him should be purchased and protected for the good of the nation. Indeed the Club has played a part in the formation of most of the Shakespeare-related events and organisations in Stratford.

The SBT’s conservation project for Hall’s Croft fits perfectly into the Club’s early aspirations.