South Petherton Combined Arts Society Charity No. 274331
HISTORY & AIMS OF THE SOCIETY
The Society was founded in September 1947 by Charles Harding with a small group of like-minded people. Our President was a member of that first committee. The original three Sections were Drama, Music and Folk Dancing but are now Drama, Music and Art. During the early years about 70 members, mainly from South Petherton, met for monthly socials with refreshments and entertainment provided by each Section in turn; they staged one annual public event for the village.
We now have over 150 members from South Petherton and surrounding areas, and two deconsecrated chapels for storage and meetings.
The aims of the Society are:
* To promote Music, Drama and Art in the local community.
* To provide opportunities for members to develop and extend their skills.
* To encourage fellowship and social intercourse between members
ART
The Art Section has been established for several decades and is very popular; we have an average of around 38 members who produce a huge variety of paintings and drawings, culminating in a very successful annual exhibition.
We meet every Thursday at the Blake Hall in South Petherton from mid-September to May, and thereafter in the South Petherton Crematorium Chapel, or arrange outdoor sketching venues, depending on the weather. Visiting artists and models plus the occasional visit to an art gallery and our now traditional Christmas lunch together all add to the friendly and helpful atmosphere of the group.
All abilities welcome; for further information please contact:
Lee Allen 01935 472675
Ron Kenway 01460 241468
DRAMA
The Drama Section stages a production in the Autumn each year (sometimes also in the Spring) in the David Hall. 2005’s play was Oliver Goldsmith’s ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ and, for November 2006, we presented ‘Outside Edge’ by Richard Harris.
We try to meet each month on the third Tuesday – one month is a formal meeting and the next an informal play-reading evening. Members enjoy social outings during the year and often contribute to the Combined Arts Society Annual Evening, when all three Sections have an opportunity to meet and mingle.
New members are very welcome: if you would like to direct or produce, tread the boards, help backstage with scenery, props or costumes, please contact:
Margaret Ballard 01460 241865
Becky Cotterill 01460 242620
CHOIR
The SPCAS Choir starts its 62nd singing season on 3 September. The Choir draws its membership from within South Petherton and the surrounding area and is a very friendly choir which welcomes new members, particularly tenors and basses.
Each year the Choir presents two concerts. A concert of Christmas music, to include Howard Blake’s ‘Four Songs of the Nativity’, will be held in the Parish Church on Saturday 12 December. The Spring Concert, to be performed on 24 April 2010, has psalms as its theme, and will include John Rutter’s ‘Psalmfest’ and Schubert’s ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’, amongst other works.
Notwithstanding its amateur status, the Choir, under the musical direction of Roger Stacey, strives to achieve a high standard which is borne out by capacity audiences and professional reviews of the concerts. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Colin Young (Chairman) on 01460 241933 or Sue Snell (Secretary) on 01460 240635. The singing season lasts from September to April; rehearsals are held each Thursday in South Petherton Junior School Hall, from 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm.
OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY
President: Eileen Ponder 01460 240586
Chairman: Hilary Pallister 01935 863897
Vice Chairman: John Smith 01460 249174
Secretary: Jenny Peacock 01460 242253
Treasurer: Pat Farr 01460 241241
Membership Secretary: Jean Knight 01460 240628
The Committee consists of the above officers plus two representatives from each of the three Sections.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
For the year September 2006 - August 2007 there is a basic subscription of £4.00 plus the following amounts for membership of the particular Section of the Society:
Art (includes Exhibition fee) £31(total £35)
Choir £31(total £35)
Drama £6 (total £10)
A junior membership at reduced subscription is available for full-time students.
If funds permit, the Society offers a small grant, the Gilbert Vaux and Ken Ivin Bursary, to a young artist, actor or musician. For further information contact the secretary.