First meetings and activities

Seventeen people attended the inaugural meeting at which Margaret Midgley was appointed secretary and Arthur Bowker appointed as treasurer. The new committee planned to meet to propose a programme on the 30^thApril, 1973.

Committee 1973-74

Chairman                           Mr W I Moss

Treasurer                            Mr A Bowker

Secretary                               Mrs M Midgely

Executive Committee                   The above plus

                                           Mrs B Spence

                                             Mr J Goulding 

Hall Manager                      Mr F Jenkinson

Publicity Manager                Mr M Challenger

Business Manager        Mrs S Carter

Stage Managers        Mr E Cook

                                 Mr P Bray

(And the men members to be called upon to help when necessary)

Decor                                  Mrs E Challenger

                                             Electrician                           Mr J Rapson

                                             Rev LG Anderson

                                  Mr A Carter

Props               To be appointed each play

                                                       Social Secretary            Mrs B Spence

                                                      Canteen                          Mrs W Carr

                                                 Mrs P Jenkinson

                                          Miss G Stear

An annual subscription of 25p was expected off members with the concession of 15p  for “pensioners and children”

On 2^nd May it was requested that the National Westminster Bank on Church Street, Barnsley close the Farrar Street Congregational Church Players’ account and transfer the funds to the account of Trinity Players.

And so the ball began to roll. A play reading before an audience was arranged for the 5^th June. Initially, it was hoped to perform “When We Are Married” but in the event it was “Jeremiah’s Christmas”. Admission was free but tea and biscuits could be had for 10p. (A tradition, which in pricing terms, is now reversed). It was “not very well attended, but, nevertheless, well enjoyed by both audience and cast.”

Socially too things were beginning. The home of Mr & Mrs W I Moss was the venue of cheese and wine evening on the 2^nd July.  Limited tickets were available at 25p each. The evening was approached “with some apprehension”. The evening turned out to be perfect. No rain, no cloud and not too much sun which for guests meant not having to “contend with runny butter, warm wine and cheese in goodness only knows what state. A pleasant evening in a delightful setting”.

“Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night” at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield was chosen as the first theatre visit. Bookings were made for 37 tickets for the 7^th September 1973 with tickets at 65p each. In the end 30 attended.

Now in July 1973, the Players requested the two weeks of 25^th February to 9^th March 1974 for Trinity Players next full length production. Copies of full length plays had been requested. ‘Murder in Company’ a comedy thriller by Philip King and John Boland, ‘Spylarks’ by Peter Walker being two.

Trinity Players were moving along still with the aim of that full length production. Within the church, the Players took the whole of the evening services on Sunday 18^th November on the theme of Travel to a very appreciative congregation. Apart for responsibility for the presentation, the Players wrote the various parts and were responsible for the music. An agreed Nativity play was to be presented during the service of Sunday 23^rd December.

Meanwhile, Mr W I Moss arranged a Make Up Demonstration (“bring a towel”) and another theatre visit. This time twenty six members went to Leeds Grand Theatre, on the 8th December, to see Godspell (tickets at £1 with 45 pence for the coach). 

By January 1974, the Acting Chief Fire and Ambulance Officer was asked for his advice in the plan to alter the stage lighting and his six point letter was received and acted upon no doubt in readiness for the Players first production. 

“Item 2 Lighted candles should not be used on stage for purposes of decoration.

 Item 6 Any temporary extensions or additions to the permanent electrical installation should be carried out by a competent electrician”