A THEATRE stalwart has received a special award for long-service to the arts.

Jude Henderson, who lives in Whitehaven has been involved in amateur theatre for 40 years, participating in many productions with Whitehaven Theatre Group from the early 1970s and establishing Whitehaven Theatre of Youth in 1998.

She said: “I’m part of a hard working band of dedicated volunteers who aim to give children a taste of all aspects of stage and theatre craft.”

Jude was surprised with a long service award after the theatre of youth’s annual cabaret concert at Whitehaven’s Solway Hall on Saturday February 1.

She was presented the award by the National Operatic Dramatic Association.

In her time with Whitehaven Theatre Group, Jude has acted in and directed plays as well as choreographing and performing in musicals.

The group is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in October.

She said: “I was thrilled to receive this award and I’d like to thank Maria Morton for the nomination which involves quite a lot of research and application.

Maria is a fellow Whitehaven Theatre of Youth member and a familiar face on the local music scene.

“It was a double delight because I had absolutely no idea about it, plus I received it in front of all my Whitehaven Theatre of Youth family.”

She added that it was a memorable night: “A fitting end to a really successful evening of entertainment provided by all the members of the theatre of youth and I was honoured to be presented the award by the president of NODA.

Jude thought that NODA president Christine Hunter Hughes was in attendance just to watch the performance but

She said: “Many people have congratulated me saying that it was well deserved and of course family and close friends were very proud.”