Organisations we have supported
Each year the Cumnor Players donates surplus funds to local organisations and charities, as summarised below.

2025

Cumnor Primary School, The Archway Foundation, Cumnor Pre-School Nursery and Hill End

From The Archway Foundation:

Subject: A huge thank you from Cumnor Pre-school!
Dear Kim, and all the Cumnor Players,
A message from me with my committee chair hat on! I wanted to take this opportunity to write and thank you hugely and sincerely for your very generous donation from this year’s pantomime, which we have put towards the cost of the installation of air-conditioning in the pre-school.
After the early heatwaves of this summer, it became apparent that it was vital to install air-conditioning in the building for the comfort and safety of both the children and the staff, but the cost was, predictably, daunting. The installation was completed last month, and we can now backfill the expense thanks in no small part to your kindness and generosity in supporting us, as I know you have at other times in previous years. As well as providing cooling, the new units replace the old heating system we had in place, making it more economical and environmentally friendly to heat the building over these colder months as well as cooling it during the warmer ones. We’re delighted to have been able to make this change and excited about the benefit to our little community.
On behalf of the committee, but also on behalf of all the staff and children: thank you, very much, for your support. It is deeply appreciated.
With very best wishes,
Hannah
Hannah Bond
Chair of the Cumnor Pre-school Committee

From Lucy at Hill End:

We were planning on using this to help buy equipment for our early years area - we can do thanks on social media etc then, when all in place early next year and looking lovely

2024

Cumnor Primary School, Cumnor Pre-school, Botley Bikers, Matthew Arnold Lighting team and GOSH

2023

Frank N. Stein

Cumnor Primary School, Cumnor Pre-school Nursery and Yellow Submarine

Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 at 14:21

Subject: Thank you!

Dear Cumnor Players,


Firstly, please let me congratulate you on the most fabulous show. It was a real treat to be able to attend with colleagues and have a really good laugh during what have been trying times. As someone involved heavily in amateur dramatics myself, I could appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that went into the production. You must feel incredibly proud to have sold so well and had such a fantastic reaction.


In addition, I was absolutely astonished to receive a phone call from Jules this morning to inform me of your generosity in your donation. School budgets are notoriously challenging to manage and it is through goodwill that we often find pockets of hope. Please know that this donation will make a significant, positive impact on school life; particularly given recent events.


Once again, my congratulations and sincere thanks on behalf of everyone at Cumnor CE Primary School.


Best wishes and a very Merry Christmas,


Steven


Mr Steven Badger

Headteacher

Cumnor Primary School

2022

Rapunzel

Cumnor Primary School, Matthew Arnold School, Memories Café and Cumnor Village Hall.





2021

The Little Mermaid

Cumnor Pre-School Nursery and Cumnor Primary School



The Frog Prince (Theo Furniss) presents Ed Read (Headteacher) with a donation to Cumnor Primary School following our 2018 pantomime.
Above: Ally Baker (left) presents Katherine Ryan (Headteacher, centre) and Angela Bloss (Chair of the HSA, right) with a donation to Matthew Arnold School from proceeds raised through Dick Whittingtonin 2017.
2019
Our 2019 panto is pleased to support four organisations again this year: Cumnor Primary School, Oxenford House, Viva, and the Botley Food Bank.

2018
Our 2018 production will be helping to raise funds for four organisations this year: Botley and Cumnor Primary Schools, Matthew Arnold 6th form build and Botley Bridges Children’s Centre.

2017
Funds raised from Dick Whittington performances were donated to Oxfordshire MIND, Matthew Arnold School 6th Form Building Fund and Cumnor Primary School.

2016
Our 10th Pantomime Robin and the Hoods supported Sailability (Farmoor), Cumnor Minors football team and Cumnor Primary School.

2015
This year Treasure Island will be supporting the 4th Oxford Scout Group and Cumnor Primary School.

2014
The B4044 Eynsham-Botley Community Path project
Cumnor Primary School

Jack and the Beanstalk raised £2,000 which was divided equally between this year's beneficiaries. 

2013
Cumnor Pre-School Nursery
Cumnor Primary School

Our Cumnor Christmas Carol pantomime raised £2,500 for local children, divided between the pre-school nursery and the primary school. 

2012
The Parasol Project 
SeeSaw Oxford
Cumnor Primary School

Alice the panto raises £2,000 for local children
Schoolchildren were in for a surprise when an enormous white rabbit and the Mad Hatter arrived at their assembly to present a cheque for £1,000 to Cumnor Primary School. The money was raised by the Cumnor Players through the sale of tickets and raffles at their latest pantomime, Alice, based on the classic tale, Alice in Wonderland. SeeSaw, Oxfordshire's specialist child bereavement charity, also received a cheque for £1,000 from the Cumnor Players after the staging of the four pantomimes in December last year.

Head teacher of Cumnor Primary School, Ed Read, said: ‘We’ll be spending the money on enhancing our drama and performance-related activities at the school over the coming year.’

Meanwhile Jane Elliott, fundraising co-ordinator for SeeSaw, commented: ‘The magnificent sum of £1000 raised by the Cumnor Players through the Alice pantos will enable SeeSaw to provide dedicated one-to-one grief support for two bereaved children.’ One child explained why SeeSaw’s work is so important, saying: ‘It was really helpful because SeeSaw let me go on in my life and not worry about things so much.’

2011
Lily Gulshat Fund
Cumnor Primary School

2010
VIVA
Cumnor Primary School

2009
Helen and Douglas House
Cumnor Primary School

2008
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Cumnor Primary School

Funds provided by the Cumnor Players have financed a new school mural in the entrance way and a series of workshops by The Creation Theatre Company, culminating in a production by Year 5 pupils at the school.

2007
Cumnor Primary School
Vale House - The Botley Alzheimers Home