2009

08 May 2024

WIMBORNE COMMUNITY THEATRE  AGM  THURSDAY 25TH MARCH 2010 AT ALLENDALE HOUSE, WIMBORNE  CHAIR’S REPORT  Review of WCT activities in 2009  At the AGM last year, we considered possibilities for staging either a large scale or small scale project in Wimborne depending on funding, focusing on the rivers and the market place/Leigh Estate area. Shortly after the AGM, we were approached by the Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Company to consider using the old waterworks off the Cranborne Road. The building inspired the group and the vast majority of activity over the past year has related to what has become entitled the Pump House Project. The creative stimulus for the project would involve exploration of:

  • WCT’s stories and ideas about the location of Wimborne town at the centre of several river crossings
  • The waterworks building and its function
  • The theme of water within global contexts
Activities related to the Pump House project have included:
  • 2 applications to the Art Council for G4A substantive funding which unfortunately proved unsuccessful
  • Events mounted through the successful funding application to East Dorset District Council
  • Several meetings to develop and discuss proposals for the Pump House project with WCT members through consultation and a programme of successful workshops led by Jonathan Petherbridge
  • The development of a range of materials through these workshops for use in the project and a framework and action plan devised by Jonathan Petherbridge for the production
  • Involvement or contact with professionals who have shown interest in the project: Jonathan Petherbridge (artistic director), Tony Horitz (TIE, schools’ workshops), Helen Porter (Choral work), Roz Conlon (Dance), Robert Hart and Adrian Newton (Sound), Daniel Horitz (Media/Film)
  • The group ran a stall at Wimborne Market in May which raised a small amount for the group’s funds.       Particular thanks are due to Gill Horitz, Marion Leatherdale and Paul Wilshaw for organising this.
  • A presentation at Holtwood Fete on July 4th which helped raise the profile of WCT as well as creating a new song about Rivers
  • A similar presentation at the Leigh Estate Community Fair on July 11th where we managed to make some new contacts, including the local fishing club, in spite of the rain. Both events also raised a small sum of money for the group
  • Application to the Dorset Community Partnership Scheme where we very narrowly failed to attract funding
  • An enjoyable social evening hosted by Barbara and Jeff Hart was held over the Christmas period. A raffle raised a tidy sum for the group
Thus considerable activity has taken place although it is disappointing that we have not managed to stage a live performance for the second year running. This is largely due to lack of sufficient funding, although core members of the group are highly committed to the Pump House Project as demonstrated by good attendance at a very recent workshop on the project. Current promising ideas include linking the project to a Wimborne schools’ funded project on children’s writing which Tony Horitz will be working on with local schools; an application to the Heritage Fund for the production and also to enable us to archive WCT materials. The steering group has plans to further promote WCT through development of our website. We are also investigating production of sets of postcards to use in various ways for publicity. WCT is obviously at a crossroads in its development – we managed to mount a significant production annually for many years but have found this hard to achieve in 2009. The steering group feels that it is important that we stage an event of some kind in this next year in order to keep the group together and to fulfil the objectives of the group. Although we will continue to bid for funding, lack of finances should not be a barrier to staging a live performance. Gill Horitz has done a sterling job in promoting the group’s work in press releases and flyers but especially in the very detailed applications she has made for funding.   Tuppy Hill also deserves much praise for her continued excellent support and organisation. The group continues to be indebted to the invaluable help and support of EDHT, in particular to Alan Wilson, and we very much hope that he will continue to be involved in WCT after his imminent retirement. Jeff Hart   Chair WCT   23.03.2010