Category: Community (Warminster)

Topics about organisations and activities in Warminster.

Warminster Athenaeum Variety Group – Puss In Boots, 1975

February 1975

From the pantomime programme:

The Warminster Athenaeum Variety Group
presents
“Puss in Boots”
by Geoff Payne.

Athenaeum Arts Centre,
Warminster, Wiltshire.

____

Athenaeum Arts Centre, Warminster
“Puss In Boots”
A Pantomime for all the family
written and produced by Geoff Payne.

Thursday 6th February to Saturday 8th February
and
Monday 10th February to Saturday 15th February
inclusive [1975]

Adults 45p and 40p.
Children and Senior Citizens 30p.

Doors open 7.00 p.m. Curtain up 7.30 p.m.

Patrons are asked, whenever possible,
to be in their seats by 7.25 p.m.

Box Office – Athenaeum Arts Centre
Tel: 3891

No smoking in the auditorium.

_____

Cast

Dick . . . . Susan Reynolds
Princess Carolina . . . . Valerie House
Puss In Boots . . . . Leonard Jenkins
Dame Newsanse . . . . John (Taffy) Jenkins
King . . . . David Payne
Perce . . . . Richard Owen
Boss Rat . . . . Barry Mole
Genie . . . . Barry Mole
First Rat . . . . Archie Lawson
Second Rat . . . . Harry Barnett
Vizier . . . . Geoff Payne
Sheik-El-Divan . . . . Bert Clews

Chorus
Angela Mole, Judy Beesley, Debbie Reynolds,
Debbie Sheil, Nicola White, Elizabeth Cotton,
Pat Kinman, Andrea Crowe, Christine Paul,
Lesley Massam, Diane Thomas, Marcia Northeast,
Jane Gifford, Sandra Bishop, Sally Narroway,
Teresa Bennington.

with
Dorothy Fear as Princess Fattima
and
Jason – The King’s Dog.

Susan Reynolds as Dick.

Valerie House as Princess Carolina.

Leonard Jenkins as Puss in Boots.

Geoff Payne (Producer) as The Vizier.

John (Taffy) Jenkins as Dame Newsance.

Barry Mole (Treasurer) as Boss Rat.

______

Programme

Act One
Scene One – The Village.
Chorus: Taffy Jenkins, David Payne, Richard Owen,
Susan Reynolds, Valerie House, Leonard Jenkins.

Scene Two – The Castle Cellar.
Barry Mole, Harry Barnett, Archie Lawson, Leonard Jenkins.

Scene Three – The Palace Chambers.
Chorus: David Payne, Richard Owen, Valerie House,
Taffy Jenkins, Susan Reynolds.

Interval

Act Two
Scene One – The Sheik’s Harem.
Chorus: Geoff Payne, Bert Clews, David Payne,
Richard Owen, Susan Reynolds, Valerie House,
Taffy Jenkins, Leonard Jenkins, Dorothy Fear,
Judy Beesley, Barry Mole, Harry Barnett,
Archie Lawson.

Scene Two – Escape From Captivity.
Geoff Payne, Leonard Jenkins, David Payne,
Richard Owen, Barry Mole.

Scene Three – The Palace Chambers.
Susan Reynolds, Taffy Jenkins, Valerie House,
David Payne, Leonard Jenkins, Richard Owen,
Geoff Payne, Bert Clews.

Scene Four – Finale.
Full Cast.

_____

David Payne as The King.

Richard Owen (Secretary) as Perce.

Archie Lawson (Chairman) as The First Rat.

Harry Barnett as The Second Rat.

Bert Clews as The Sheik.

Bernie Reynolds and Steve Reynolds (musicians).

______

Above and below:
Some of the Chorus rehearsing routines
on stage for “Puss in Boots”

_______

Credits

Written and produced by Geoff Payne.
Music – at the Organ . . . . Bernie Reynolds.
Music – on the Drums . . . . Steve Reynolds.
Scenery Design . . . . Barry Mole.
Costumes . . . . Eileen Jenkins.
Props, Scenery and Special Effects . . . .
Barry Mole, Archie Lawson, Harry Barnett.
Stage Manager . . . . Paul Lawson.
Lighting . . . . Gary Fielding.
Front House Manager . . . . Harry Barnett.
Assistants to Front House Manager
Len Carr and Tony Lapham.
Publicity . . . . Richard Owen.

The Athenaeum Variety Group wish to thank
Stage-Crew, Usherettes, and others not mentioned
in this programme who have willingly given their
help to make this Show possible.

Box Office – Athenaeum Arts Centre, Warminster, Wilts.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Telephone Warminster 3891.

No smoking in the Auditorium.

Programme printed by Coates & Parker Ltd., Warminster.

Codford St. Mary Mentioned In Upstairs Downstairs

Saturday 28th September 1974

The television series Upstairs Downstairs was made in the 1970s and portrays the lives of the Bellamy family and their servants at the fictional 165 Eaton Place, London.

The Beastly Hun (Series 4, Episode 3), written by Jeremy Paul, is set in May 1915, when there is much anti-German feeling (following press reporting of the sinking of The RMS Lusitania). There is also talk of spies.

Edward Barnes, the Bellamy’s footman, has enlisted and is away serving in the army.

In one scene, his wife Daisy (played by Jacqueline Tong) goes to a local bakery to buy bread from Albert Schoenfeld (played by Gertan Klauber).

As Daisy goes to leave the shop, Mr. Schoenfeld asks her: “How is Edward getting on?” Daisy, having reached the door of the shop, replies: “Oh, alright. I get nice cheerful letters.” Mr. Schoenfield says: “From the Front, eh?” Daisy answers: “No, Codford St. Mary, his camp on Salisbury Plain.” Mr. Schoenfeld remarks: “Tell him to stay there.” Daisy responds: “I will. Bye!”

Lakeside Day Centre For The Elderly

Wednesday 11th September 1974

The construction of the Lakeside Day Centre for the Elderly, in the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park), Warminster, is nearly completed.

As of today, Wednesday 11th September 1974, the number of elderly persons who have enrolled to attend the centre is 100.

Programme For Mother Goose

February 1974

Pantomime Mother Goose at the Athenaeum, Warminster.

The Programme

The Athenaeum Variety Group
presents
Mother Goose.
Written and Produced by Geoff Payne.

Athenaeum Arts Centre
Warminster

Monday 4th February to Saturday 9th February 1974
and
Thursday 14th February to Saturday 16th February 1974

Doors Open 7.00 p.m. Curtain up 7.30 p.m.

Seats forty and thirty-five pence.

Children (under fourteen) and Senior Citizens 25p.

No smoking in the Auditorium.

Price 5p.

_____

Cast
Wendy . . . . . . . . . . Glenda Murray
Tom . . . . . . . . . . Susan Reynolds
Dame . . . . . . . . . . John (Taffy) Jenkins
Baron Goodyear . . . . . . . . . . Richard Owen
The Goose . . . . . . . . . . David G. Payne
Dock – Policeman . . . . . . . . . . Archie Lawson
Green – Policeman . . . . . . . . . . Bert Clews
Zeke – Robber . . . . . . . . . . Len Jenkins
Sam – Robber . . . . . . . . . . Barry Mole
Jake – Robber . . . . . . . . . . W. David Payne
Merlin . . . . . . . . . . Geoff Payne
Fairy Nuff . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy Fear

Dancers
Nicola White and Elizabeth Cotton

Chorus
Deborah Sheil Carol Pimm
Susan Fox Barbara Grevatt
Leonie McNulty Shirley Hampton
Debbie Reynolds Sandra Balderstone
Pat Kinman Marlene Hancock
Silvanna Holton Valerie House

________

Act One

Scene One – Market Place
Richard Owen, Glenda Murray, Taffy Jenkins,
Archie Lawson, Bert Clews, Susan Reynolds,
Goose, Chorus.

Scene Two – The Wizards Cave
Dancers, Geoff Payne, Susan Reynolds,
Goose, Dorothy Fear.

Scene Three – The Road To The Woods
Barry Mole, Len Jenkins, David Payne,
Susan Reynolds, Goose, Archie Lawson,
Bert Clews, Glenda Murray, Taffy Jenkins,
Richard Owen.

Interval

Act Two

Scene One – In The Woods
Barry Mole, Len Jenkins, David Payne, Goose,
Susan Reynolds, Geoff Payne, Dorothy Fear,
Archie Lawson, Bert Clews, Taffy Jenkins.

Scene Two – Market Place
Richard Owen, Glenda Murray, Taffy Jenkins,
Archie Lawson, Bert Clews, Susan Reynolds,
Goose.

Scene Three – The Carnival
Full Cast.

Dancers trained by Miss Gloria Sloper.

______

Script by Geoff Payne
Music by Bernie Reynolds
Drummer – Steve Reynolds
Produced by Geoff Payne
Costumes – Eileen Jenkins, Carol Barnett, Peggy Reynolds
Scenery Design – Barry Mole
Sound and Effects – Harry Barnett
Props and Scenery – Barry Mole, Archie Lawson,
Ann Curtis, Alan Curtis,
John Curtis, Richard Owen
Lighting – Barry Wright
Stage Manager – Tony Barnett
First House Manager – Harry Barnett
Assisted by Tony Lapham
Publicity – Richard Owen

The Athenaeum Variety Group wish to thank stage-crew,
usherettes, and others not mentioned on this programme
who have willingly given their help to make this show
possible.

Box Office – Athenaeum Arts Centre, Warminster, Wilts.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Telephone Warminster 3891.

No Smoking in the Auditorium.

Beckford Hospital, Warminster, 1973

Beckford Hospital, Gipsy Lane, Warminster.
Notes made in 1973:

Beckford Hospital, formerly a private residence, was presented to the Dorset County Council about 1919.

It originally admitted long-stay orthopaedic cases but in recent years has been adapted for the reception of pre-convalescent orthopaedic patients.

It has an active bed complement of 35 and large X-ray and physiotherapy departments.

The Workhouse At Sambourne, Warminster

Wilfred Middlebrook, in The Changing Face Of Warminster, first written in 1960, updated in 1971, noted:

In 1836 the building of a workhouse began at Sambourne, to supersede the one founded in 1727 at the Common. In 1928 the workhouse inmates were transferred to Frome, and Sambourne was used only for the relief of casuals. Renovations began in 1932, and in 1933 the new-styled Public Assistance Institution was open once more to house the homeless.

After the last War further alterations were made to the buildings, making the place into a modern hospital, one that cares specially for the old and the infirm. The Institution was taken over by the Hospital Management Committee on 5th July 1948. Gradually the grim conception of the old Union was removed, rubber flooring replacing the cold flags, and delicately-tinted colours replacing the white-washed walls.

In 1952 there were still greater improvements, the old building now being practically unrecognisable, transformed over the years from a derelict building to an up-to-date hospital. The old Guardians Committee Room was turned into a ward but casual wards were still used, giving a warm bed and other conveniences to wanderers who still travel the country in search of work. They were provided with a special room where they could clean themselves and their clothes before leaving the next day. The average number using these casual wards was about 170 a month, the largest recorded figure since the War being 225. In 1952 there were 72 hospital patients and 38 welfare patients, the oldest being Mrs. Newton of Dilton Marsh, aged 97. A link with the lost village of Imber is to be found in the hospital chapel – the pews and central matting coming from Imber Church.

An amusing article on the old Warminster Union was published in 1897, referring to a boom in the sale of snuff. It continues “one fact which may have bearing on the new boom is that there is a Board of Guardians in a remote country district who systematically take snuff as an aid to the discussion of their weekly business. They are the Guardians for the Union of Warminster, the little Wiltshire town recently referred to for its historical pew and the trouble it brewed. The Warminster Guardians are inveterate snuff-takers; it is even alleged that the lady members have succumbed to the practice and are as capable and ready to transact this item on the agenda as any other.”

Witchcraft

Wilfred Middlebrook, in The Changing Face Of Warminster, first written in 1960, updated in 1971, noted:

In his Regional Survey Of Warminster And District [1920s & 1930s] Victor Manley cites the case of a woman still living on the Common at the time, who had earlier been sentenced for prostitution. Whilst in prison her neighbours made a full-size effigy of her and sat it in a chair on her doorstep all one day, then burnt it in the evening.

Such practices savoured of witchcraft, and Manley proceeds to quote an incantation over a sick child suffering from burns: “Four holy angels from the north. Out fire, in frost. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”

This is an example of white witchcraft, or healing of which I had an example during my boyhood days in the Lancashire Pendle Forest witch district. I was suffering from a large boil on the back of my neck, which refused to respond to the usual remedies of sugar poultices and the like, so my mother said “Call round the back-to-back houses and see old Mary o’t’one arm.” The tiny cottage door was opened by a wizened old woman who had indeed only one arm. “What’s troubling thee lad?” she asked, so I told her. On the hob was an iron pan full of a concoction of herbs, and this she put on the fire. How she managed the operation with her handicap I never really knew but I have a feeling that she took the pan from the fire under the stump of her missing arm. My next recollection was a large wooden ladle full of scalding herbs being slapped on the back of my neck, and the old crone had it bandaged in a trice. Black or white magic, perhaps, but it worked!

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