Cornerstone arts centre invites school children to design the ‘Panto of the Future’
Published: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Cornerstone arts centre invites school children to design the ‘Panto of the Future’
School children across South Oxfordshire are invited by Cornerstone arts centre to design a poster for the ‘Panto of the future’. This is to coincide with the Didcot building’s installation of the latest clean green energy sources.
Work started in August to add air source heat pumps and solar panels to South Oxfordshire District Council’s landmark building in the town centre. As the building gets ready for the future, we’re asking what people think the shows appearing there could look like.
The council is inviting children aged 12 and under, living in South Oxfordshire, to take part in the competition by designing a poster for a panto of the future.
Everyone taking part will get their entries displayed on the Cornerstone website and one lucky winner – judged to have the most creative ideas – will win a family ticket to see Jack and the Beanstalk – the 2026 Cornerstone panto* and a One4All gift voucher worth £100 donated by Ashe Group who are carrying out the decarbonisation works. (The competition will be open until 1 November 2026).
Simply submit a design via email to communications@southandvale.gov.uk with the subject line Panto of the Future.
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We are really pleased with the decarbonisation work at Cornerstone. The new equipment will reduce our energy costs and help tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Using renewables also protects us against sudden rises in energy costs. But that’s all off stage, we’re excited to see what changes the youngsters can imagine happening to the shows and the performers.”
*A family ticket for four people – to be taken between 27 – 30 December.
Full terms and conditions are on our competition page on our website.
Notes to editors
The contractors, Ashe Group, began work in August dismantling the site’s old gas boilers and have since added four air source heat pumps and 56 solar panels on the arts centre roof. It is estimated that the work could save around 55 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year*. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
