A WAREHAM based special effects company has received a grant of £235,000.00 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Twins FX in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced at the Easter weekend.

Twins Worldwide Ltd, who trade as Twins FX, has provided spectacular theatrical effects for a host of pantomimes, as well as large scale visuals for Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s Got Talent.

Managing Director Twins Worlwide Ltd said Gary Hardy Brown: “Securing Cultural Recovery Funding will now enable us to reimagine our operating model, reignite its creativity and prepare the company to present its work in front of live audiences once again – and we can’t wait.”

“Twins FX remain an inspiration for many throughout the sector, we never got ‘stuck’ and have always been quick to adapt to new challenges, helping us all through these unprecedented times.”

“Everything is designed and manufactured in Dorset, we provide important job opportunities locally. It is important to create opportunities outside of London, we want to continue to influence promotion of the Arts sector in the South West.”

Twins Worldwide Ltd were among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, having lost over 95 per cent of its income due to Covid-19 over the past 12 months.

Everything produced by Twin FX is designed and manufactured in-house in Dorset, split over four buildings of over 40,000 sq. ft.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

“Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

The second round of awards made in April will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery.

After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will provide a much needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

The funding awarded on Saturday April 3 is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed.

The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.

Chair of Arts Council England Sir Nicholas Serota said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.

“These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.

“We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”