A BADSHOT Lea woman who, as a schoolgirl, was one of the thousands of Farnham residents who ‘sponsored a brick’ when the Redgrave Theatre was built in the 1970s, has demanded her brick be returned to her when the theatre is demolished.

Christine Goff recently rang Waverley Borough Council to ask what will happen to ‘her brick’ when the now-derelict theatre is demolished to make way for the Brightwells scheme, and if Waverley and its development partner Crest Nicholson intend to return the bricks to their rightful owners.

Mrs Goff has personally requested “enough bricks to fix my wall” - but as an alternative has suggested Waverley and Crest make a donation to each of the schools that contributed to the cost of the Redgrave in lieu of their bricks.

The former Hale School pupil told the Herald: “In the decades prior to the Redgrave being built there was a campaign to raise funds for the new theatre, and many school across Farnham, led by the headteacher of Hale junior Mrs King, collected thousands of pounds from parents.

“Money was quite short after the war so this was incredibly generous, and if they pull the theatre down, I would like Waverley or Crest Nicholson to make a donation to each school that sponsored bricks. The bricks were a gift from the children, and they should really ask the children first what they should do with them and return their money - otherwise it’s just stealing.

“If they don’t like it, then we will have to queue up outside the Redgrave with our wheelbarrows!”

Responding, a council spokesperson said: “Waverley is set to receive substantial financial contributions from the developer that will be spent in Farnham and will make a positive contribution to the town.

“Overall the amount of funding Brightwells will bring to Farnham is £2.2 million; this includes £751,000 towards primary education and a further £882,000 for sports, leisure, art and library provision.”

The Redgrave Theatre, named after Sir Michael Redgrave, closed for good in 1998 and is expected to be demolished next year.