Leisure
Tetbury > Life
LEISURE
Youth Organisations
GIRL GUIDESEstablished by 1923April 1936 won the County ShieldBROWNIESJuly 1924 won the Challenge Cup
BOY SCOUTS
14/5/1910 Cheltenham Chronicle
"It has been agreed upon at Tetbury to try and emulate the example set in other parts of the Cotswolds to raise a troop of Baden-Powell Boy Scouts. An association has been formed with Col. Henry as president, Mr Charles Harding vice president, Mr H.Lisle-Taylor scoutmaster, Mr E.J Dance hon treasurer and Mr Wallace Munday as hon secretary. It is stated that the lads of the town are very enthusiastic about the innovation. I understand that the Tetbury association were anxious to join the Cirencester troop but that the Cirencester officials declined on the ground that they could not undertake the oversight of the Tetbury troop and also that the Tetbury folk did not in previous movements in connection with the establishment of a Church Lads Brigade show continued interest in the lads of the town but allowed it to drop. It looks as thought Tetbury will not receive any encouragement in the Boy Scout movement either from Capt Dugdale or Colonel Bathurst MP, Instructor Parry or other officers until they show marked signs of progress. When this comes about and there appears to be some prospect at present, those who show the cold shoulder now will not receive a warm welcome later on."
Sports
Performing Arts
AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Originally formed as an Operatic Society in 1909 that focused on comic opera. Post 1st World War it produced farce and comedy plays.
It's list of perfomances include:
Merrie England; The Emerald Isle; The Lady of Ostend; The Young Person in Pink; Tilly of Bloomsbury; Mr Pim Passes By; Lord Richard in the Pantry; Brown Sugar; Mrs Gorringe’s Necklace; Eliza Comes to Stay and The Passing of the Third Floor Back;
1910 'The Pirates of Penzance'
1911 'Les Cloches de Corneville'
1912 'Ye Golden Dolphins' which was described as a tale of old Tetbury, a comic opera performed by both the Sunday School and the Operatic Society.
1927 'The Sport of Kings'
1931 'Tons of Money'
1932 'The Man who stayed at home'
1933 'Nothing but the truth'
1934 'Hawley's of the High Street'
1936 'Third time lucky'
1937 'Distinguished Gathering'
14/5/1910 Cheltenham Chronicle
"The financial result of the performances of "The Pirates of Penzance" which were recently given by the Tetbury Amateur Operatic Society has just been made known. After defraying the cost of new scenery, curtain etc the committee have been able to hand over £9 to the Tetbury Cottage Hospital and a similar sum to the Tetbury Church Institute. No one anticipated such a pleasing result and the committee and all concerned are to be congratulated on achieving so remarkable success."
The group still meets and celebrated 100 years in 2010. Information can be found here.
TETBURY HISTRIONIC SOCIETY
Tetbury had a flourishing Histrionic Society of which Dr T.Warburton Walker was for many years the moving spirit, followed by Mr A.H.Lewis. It put on performances in 1875 and 1876 at the White Hart Assembly Rooms. In 1875 the Grand Entertainment was for the benefit of Tetbury Horticultural Society.
It starred:
- Miss Eliza Rudd [from Theatre Royal Bristol]
- Mr E.B. Gardiner
- Mr A E Drinkwater [from the Bristol Elocution & Debating Society]
The following items were billed to be performed at 8.00
- Hamlet [2 scenes Act 1 scenes 4 & 5 - the Ghost scene, and Act 4 scene 1 - the Gravediggers scene] and starred Mr A W Buckeridge, Mr E.B.Gardiner, Mr A Livermore, Mr H Brown and Mr A.E.Drinkwater
- Recitation of the Charge of the Light Brigade by Mr Gardiner, a reading from Tennyson by Mr Drinkwater, and a song 'Thou art so near' performed by Mr Gardener
- At 9.00 a fashionable Commedietta adapted from the French by Thomas Haynes Bailey 'The Spitalfields Weaver' starring Mr A Livermore, Mr E.B.Gardener, Miss Eliza Rudd, Mr A.W.Buckeridge and Mr H Brown. 'An efficient string band' had been engaged.
Seat prices ranged from 2s6d down to 6d. Carriages could be ordered for 10 and a plan of the room [for seating] could be seen at Hill's Library, where tickets could also be purchased.
On 18 April 1876 an Easter entertainment was performed starring
- Madlle Marie Dos-Santos [from Theatre Royal Bath]
- Mr E.B.Gardiner [president of Bristol Elocution & Debating Society]
- Mr Albert Clarke
The following items were billed:
- A song 'the White Squall' performed by Mr Albert Clarke, a recitation 'the Death of Marmion' by Mr Gardiner, and 'The May Queen by Madlle Dos-Santos
- This was to be followed by a Dickens piece 'Breach of Promise Trial' starring Albert Clarke, Mr A. Livermore, Mr A.W.Buckeridge, Mr Lamb, Mr Clifton, Madlle Dos-Santos, Mr Gardiner, and Mr Withy.
- Another song performed by Mr Clarke 'The Village Blacksmith', a recitation by Mr Gardiner ' The Field of Waterloo' and an oration 'An Ethiopian Lecture' [in full character] by Mr Livermore.
- Another drama followed, 'Good for nothing' by Buckstone starring the same as above.
The programme was 'unusually full' so would start at 7.45 with doors opening at 7. Carriages could be ordered at 10.15. Price as the previous year but obtained from C.Slocombe bookseller & printer.
TETBURY MUMMERS
Gloucester Citizen ran an article in 1929, on the ancient custom in Tetbury, of wassaillers carrying a dummy head and horns of an animal round on a pole on Christmas Eve. Father Christmas would appear to distribute toys to the children in the streets and homes. Carols would be sung by the Salvation Army and a party representing all the churches sang carols at the Poor Law Institute, the Cottage Hospital and in the centre of town. In 1933 it referred to the custom as being lost in the mists of antiquity.
Tetbury Mummers gave their last perfomance in 1938. Information regarding the Tetbury Wassail can be found here.
SOURCES:
Drama in Gloucestershire ( The Cotswold County ) some account of its development from the earliest times till to-day; Theodore Hannam-Clark; 1928
British Newspaper Archive
Cinema
The cinema was built c.1921 by Mr Shaw Phillips in old stables at The White Hart, which were converted for this purpose. Prior to this film was shown in the Assembly Rooms. The newly built cinema was built partly with timbers from the town Cricket Pavilion which was dismantled during the 1st World War, according to a report in the Western Daily Press 9/4/1936 and 29/9/1950. In September 1921 a cinematography license for a year was granted to Mr T.E.Rennie.
In October 1922 the cinema license was renewed by the magistrates.
Disaster struck in June 1931 when fire nearly destroyed the building, and was reported in The Times, Cheltenham Chronicle and the Wilts & Glos Standard. The bravery of the manager, George Adams who managed to usher out the audience (comprising 60 children and a few women) without panic, and the attempts of the projectionist, Francis Dorin, who tried to extinguish the fire were commended. Francis was burnt on both arms.
It reopened for business after rebuild in January 1932 now with facilities for talking films. Apparently the local film buffs were travelling to Cirencester to see films during the six months without their local cinema.
15 January 1934 was the second anniversary of the reopening
A newer and larger cinema was planned in 1936 and it's plans passed at the Police Court in April 1936. There was to be seating for 100 more people and the balcony was to be done away with.
On 7th December 1936 Lady Helena Gibbs opened the new Palace Cinema, Mr A.C.Myhill was the manager. Mr Myhill managed the cinema until September 1950 when it was sold to Mr J.L.Mott.
A late bus was scheduled for Saturday nights to enable those living in the converted Nissan huts at Long Newnton to travel to and from the cinema in December 1950.
The cinema finally closed, probably in April 1962 taking away an entertainment much loved by young and old alike.
After a gap of over 50 years cinema has finally returned as a leisure option with the opening of the Goods Shed developed in one of the old railway buildings. Amongst other entertainment they have regular film nights. More information can be found here.