Clacton Arts & Literary Society

“It`s only a bit of fun…………”, words uttered so often by the charismatic `Captain` Tom Hart Dyke as we `sailed` on his exciting voyage around his world garden!
The day had started with weather that can only be described as gloomy, overcast, moody- just `constipated`, wanting to absolutely pour down and drench us travellers-but it never did-just threatened-a day for travelling and sightseeing made in Heaven!
After another wonderful coach journey through the lush Essex countryside, we crossed the Queen Elizabeth bridge with its dizzy heights and panoramic views, into the `orchard county` of Kent.

After a lunchtime stopover at the delightful town of Seven Oaks we proceeded towards our planned destination.
Soon we were near and our `leader` pointed out the fields of Lavender-I was fascinated by the neat, long rows- they looked like giant, symmetrical, mono coloured pipes that had been laid side by side. After negotiating what was an extremely tight turn, by a rather quaint little cottage that could have easily been featured on a chocolate box, we arrived at Lullingstone Castle.
Our guide, a very knowledgeable fella called Philip-from `over the pond`(no, not America-Ireland!)had definitely `kissed the Blarney stone`-their was more than a hint of typical Irish banter as he started off on our conducted tour of the home and little church in the grounds. It was interesting to note that just outside the ancient `Keep`(where Tom still lives-we could see his digital television aerial and no doubt his satellite dish was surreptitiously hidden from view!)is the old highway to London(just a track)where, no doubt, Queen Anne travelled many times in her carriage as she came from the city to enjoy the rustic delights of this location.

After the conducted tour of the church and house, we were told that Tom was waiting anxiously to give us his own personal tour of his `creation`-planned during the time when he was held hostage in a far off land and needed something to take his mind off the fact that at any juncture his captives could have killed him.
`Granny`(who `sewed` his initial inspiration as a boy with a packet of seeds)now sadly demised, was ever present(if only in spirit)-her influence in this endeavour will be there always-Tom was ever eager to point out her mighty contribution and somewhat strange habits-including her riding her `trusty steed( bike) until she was 94, with it stuck in the high derailleur gear!
So close was their relationship that she had the dwelling in the other side of the `keep`-his parents live in part of the stately home.
In a nearby field was the location for the wooden mock planes that were placed so as to draw enemy attention and fire from the important aerodrome of Biggin Hill during world war two.
I don’t think  have EVER met anyone with such genuine `joie de vivre`-he breathlessly showed off proudly  `his baby`-reeling off Latin names in abundance-he had even counted the number of plants in his newly created  `cactus den-`hot and prickly` especially to tell us about it!
A very handsome, articulate person whose company we all enjoyed very much.
In one section(under plastic cover) there was a `jungle atmosphere`, complimented, we were informed ,by a CD playing suitable sounds-Don Bishop said he really needed a machete to get through it-I retorted that the next movie film  for `bridge on the river Kwai, revisited again` could easily be filmed here!
`Lord and lady Baines`(sounds like it should be so-I`ll definitely recommend them for knighthoods next time I`m having a cuppa with the Queen!!) had again meticulously planned this tour with military precision and after a chance to buy some of the lovely florae from the small garden shop, we were again on the road, eagerly awaiting our stop at Thurrock services for a welcoming `cuppa`, before returning home in the early evening.
Yet another triumph for Clacton `Arts and Lits`-I look forward to the next outing!

Jennifer Kersey.

A verb which is rarely used outside the manufacture of
ducting and sometimes in public lavatories- ”are you well
vented, madam?”
I chuckled as I thought of the declination of this verb-
`I vent, you vent, he /she vents`-`ah, the possibilities are
endless!!`
“So, what’s this got to do with the Arts and Lits trip to
Cambridge and a subsequent boat trip, with cream tea
included on the historic river Cam afterwards” ,I hear you
ask?
Well, these were the words uttered as our leader,
`Commander` Keith Baines, with his usual minute attention
to detail checked to see if the air conditioning on the coach
was operating throughout!!?

The day started wonderfully, and everything worked
seamlessly as a well oiled sewing machine (how’s that for a
strange analogy?) but we soon came to rather an abrupt
stop as we swung on to the dreaded A12 and were
confronted with a slow moving traffic which gradually got
slower until it stopped and we waited for quite some
considerable time whilst the emergency services attended
to what was probably quite an horrific traffic accident.
We prayed for the people immediately concerned and
hoped that there were no fatalities.

We then moved on towards Cambridge with about 2 hours
for our own pursuits-I choose to find a quiet spot in the
park near where we alighted from the coach, and eat my
sandwiches-I have just had my elderly mother staying with
me for a week from the Midlands and needed a `quiet
period` (she’s eighty five this year and was, until recently,
taking `meals on wheels around to the old folk!!!)others
chose to peruse the many places of interest in Cambridge-
I desperately wanted to visit the famous King`s college
chapel-but was just too tired (maybe another trip-poor old
girl!)

At the allotted time we re-boarded the coach and were
soon underway to the appointed berth where we would go
on the river boat-it was indeed `tranquillity realised` –this
scene that has changed little over the centuries and that
mirrors quintessential `Merry England`s` traditional way of
life with boarding school, set curriculum including rowing
and (currently)`wow, how many bicycles there are now in
this world renowned city(Robin hood would have been
suitably impressed!!?) .

Many rowing boats passed us with crews calmly focussing
only on the directions of the cox at the helm.
In other places more sedate river activities progressed
with those engaged in punting
All the time there was a very informative commentary.
All too soon it was over and we returned to the welcoming
countryside of Essex-at this time lush with delicious fauna.
Yet another `feather in the cap` of the society and King
John(Keith)Baines and his `wench` who organised this trip!
Miss Jennifer Kersey

Officers of the Society, Committee Members, Ladies & Gentlemen -  I feel very honoured to be addressing you tonight on this the completion of my seventh year as President of this outstanding Society.  We have a membership of 900 including Life members and I am told by many that it is the largest and most flourishing Society of its kind in the country.  I thank you all for your continued support in making it the success that it is.  We as a committee work hard to justify that support.
The Society has had a very busy year.  We have enjoyed the outings in the summer, the presentations have been varied and of an exceptionally high quality, members have had an opportunity to meet friends during the evening and at Christmas and after the AGM and on the outings. The standards of the Society, on which we pride ourselves have been maintained.  I like to think that we are continuing in the manner in which the Society was founded so many years ago albeit adapting to the needs of our time.
I say adapting to the needs of our time because not so many years ago, we were operating in a totally different environment. The presentations that we booked were done on the telephone by virtually a gentleman’s agreement and followed up by a letter   and the theatre had a very relaxed attitude to our needs. Things gradually changed throughout my time as Programme Secretary until the present time when we are operating in a totally professional environment. Communication and negotiation is done by telephone but information and contracts are sent by email. The computer is now essential for transferring any form of information and for printing. Contracts and conditions of contract are insisted upon by the agents and the theatre has to get value for money from our hire. When we could get by with using a projector owned by the Society, technology has moved so fast that we now have to hire in increasingly sophisticated software at a cost to us. We also have a website, thanks to Doug Carpenter, which everyone can log into and this is invaluable for agents and artistes to use to see what sort of Society we are and which artistes we can attract.
We ARE working in a professional environment and I am extremely pleased to say that although we are all volunteers and therefore may be considered amateurs there are sufficient personal skills within the committee to operate very well in this changed environment

The Society is in a strong position financially, but as I say in my report to the Charity Commission we cannot be complacent.  With the knowledge that the costs of both the venue and the artistes rise each year and with the Charity’s stated aim of constantly improving the quality of its presentations, but needing to limit the cost of the season ticket, it has for many years walked a tightrope.  It is thanks to our benefactors that we have a certain sense of security but the Trustees are aware that they have a responsibility to maintain funds to ensure the financial security of the Society and its future viability.  We have a membership of 900 but the theatre seats only 820, so although we have a waiting list we cannot increase our membership to gain more funds so we have to seek other means to do this. I appreciate the way you the members support our other activities.
 Sponsorship brings in very valuable funds for the Society and I thank each of our Sponsors very much for their support. It is particularly pleasing when our members sponsor an evening and I am grateful to Mr & Mrs Eric Hammond, Mr & Mrs Derek Norman, Mrs Mary Canham and  Mrs Janet Dewing and family for their sponsorship in acknowledgement of their regard for the Society. I thank Mrs Joy Clinton for her work in obtaining the sponsors.
Although not a sponsor I would also like to mention Chris Cowin of Apex Publishing who does much of our printing at favourable rates.
Keith Baines organised the outings -  two coaches to Richmond. one to Arundel, two on the Pochohontes river trip and two to Wells and Walsingham and this on seperate days. Thank you Keith and thank you Brenda
We also hold a raffle each year and I thank Pam Hatfield and her helpers. I also thank each Committee member for providing a prize for the raffle.
Programmes are sold on appropriate evenings and I thank Corinne Osborn for producing and organising the sales.
Sales of books and c d’s are sold by our Secretary Sonia Ainger and I thank her for this.
I am particularly indebted to the many members who add a donation to their subscription. Not only do we appreciate their generosity but also by signing a Gift Aid form we are able to reclaim a further percentage from the Inland Revenue which totals over £500 each year.
It is all these extra activities that help Society funds
 
Having spoken of financial matters let me turn to other aspects of the Society and the raison d’etre which of course is the performances. In my opinion, Cindy has produced a particularly strong and varied programme this year and if comments I have received are anything to go by I am sure you would all agree.    We have had some evenings when that performance alone would give value for the cost of the season ticket.  Cindy spends hours, no days researching acts, negotiating and ensuring that she gets a balanced programme. With 900 members not everyone likes everything, and we would not expect that they would.  But sometimes if you have a taster of something you have not been interested in before it can often spark a new interest.  Thank you Cindy.

I would like to thank the technical staff at the theatre for staging the performances, Simon, Jamie, Mark  for they receive high praise each week for their knowledge and professionalism.  Cindy and I particularly thank them for their patience, good humour and ability to handle people some of whom are quite stressed and demanding before a performance. We have a very good working relationship with the theatre manager Kai Aberdeen and I thank him for all his help and co-operation.
Each week you are greeted by Don Bishop and Keith Baines and their cheerful greeting sets the atmosphere for the evening. Alan Ainger has gathered information to fill the boards in the foyer which people enjoy and he also produces books of weekly information for the Society’s archives. I thank them and also Audrey Owens and in her absence Rob Pearce who write an article on the evening’s performance for the local paper. We are very grateful to the local paper for the previews and publicity they give us.
We have our meters and greeters and ticket sellers, Anthea d’Ancey, Wendy Mitchell, Moira Barry, Brenda Carpenter, Doreen Goffin, Hilary Green, Ken Green, Jeanette Jones, Pim Lock, Neil Stedman – thank you all. Not forgetting Ice cream sellers and bar staff
Also a special thanks to St John Ambulance for attending each week. We usually have John and Joan  – thank you.
One man who never sees a performance but attends each evening and that is Alan Hardy, for he is the person who sits in the foyer to cope with anything that arises whilst a performance is in progress.  Alan I thank you.
As Secretary of the Society, Sonia appears each week to give out the notices, and in addition to her other secretarial duties she administers the flower fund on your behalf.  As we are a charity we cannot give flowers out of Society funds and that is why this happens and she appeals for separate donations from time to time.  Thank you Sonia.
But that is only half the story for so much goes on in the closed season to ensure all is well for the sixteen weeks of presentations. I have spoken of the Programme Secretary’s role generally but organising the season’s programme commences in November of the year before  – Cindy needs enough bookings by the AGM to whet your appetites and encourage you to rejoin.  The outline of the programme is completed by May and info is passed to the Sponsor Co-ordinater  Joy so that sponsorship can be obtained ready for the cream and brown programme info to be decided upon and sent to the printers and returned for proof reading.  Pat Waller does this very ably and also produces the membership cards. I then produce the various letters for members, life members and prospective members and they are sent to Pat Waller who prints them for each of you Thank you Pat. She then them passes to Shirley Bishop our Membership Secretary to envelope and send out.  Shirley then has the task of responding to your application form which she does with great speed.  Thank you Shirley.
 
And so the season progresses.
I hope this has given you a feel for what goes on in the Society and something I must stress is that we are all volunteers and give of our time freely willingly and with good humour. It is my belief that the more you put into something the more you get out of it.
As you appreciate running a society such as ours does not just happen.
In conclusion I would comment that the achievement of an organisation is the result of the combined efforts of each individual.  We all play a part, Officers, committee members, theatre staff and all members of the Society for without each one of these elements the Society would be nothing. You the members demand high standards and it is right that you should for we need to uphold the tenet of the Society motto ‘praestantium petimus’ roughly translated ‘the pursuit of excellence.’
I thank everyone here for the support you have given the Society and to me personally throughout the year and may this support continue not only next year but over future generations.

 Thank you

Jan Rodwell

Programme Secretary’s report to AGM March 2011

Good evening madam president, ladies and gentlemen, goodness, this is my seventh report to you as programme secretary.  How the time flies.

I would like to thank all of you who have written or spoken to me to say that you have enjoyed the programme, I appreciate it very much.  I would also like to thank all the theatre staff, especially Kai, Simon and Jamie, who work so hard to make sure our evenings run smoothly,  they are very patient with me when I get in the way and interfere where I shouldn’t be.   And I would like to thank our President Jan Rodwell who is a great support to me and to the committee for their support also. 

I strive to fulfil the aims of the Society; whilst at the same time trying to make sure we will all enjoy our Monday evenings by providing a varied programme. 
During the season my first task on a Tuesday morning is to write to the artists, thanking them for coming.  A lot of them write, email or telephone back to say how much they enjoyed the warmth of you, the audience and the hospitality received from the Clacton Arts and Lits committee, this is something they rarely get from other theatres.  Without fail they all want to come back to give us another performance.  I know a lot of them tell us from the stage how lucky we are to have this Society and how unique it is.  I think this is something we are all aware of and we all need to continue to support the Society in as many ways as we can to ensure its future.
 I have really enjoyed planning and arranging the programme during my time as programme secretary. 
The ladies are always delighted with their flowers and on their behalf I would like to thank the members who contribute to the flower fund and to especially thank Sonia who organises the fund and the flowers on the night. 
Sometimes little things happen in the days leading up to the performance and sometimes little things happen on the day of the performance which has me rushing around to notify everyone of the change.  I found out with three days notice that a singer had been changed, when this happens I have to notify the person who does the reports to the newspaper, the biographies and photos have to be changed for the board in the foyer, Jan or Joy have to be given the new information for the introduction, Corinne has to have the information for the programme.  I’m often given the programme and it’s changed without notice on the night which can throw me if it’s the last piece before I have to present the flowers and I’m still sitting in my seat waiting for it and they suddenly say this is the last piece and I nearly fall over myself getting out and running round the back to the stage.  I think this is the most nerve racking part of my job, I stand behind the curtains and dither when to go on.  I’m never sure if they are going to do an en core or if they are going to do two.  I always ask but they often say they will wing it depending on your reaction to them which doesn’t help me one bit.  When we are ready to start the performance I have had to get someone out of the bar, in from the road having a smoke, wait whilst they are in the loo, or they can have seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth and I’m left wondering if I will have to do a song and dance routine to fill in the time, fortunately for you this hasn’t had to happen yet.

We opened the season with English Serenata and Love Letters, I don’t think you would have realised but the letters were written by the parents of the leader of the orchestra.  She found them in the loft and thought they would make a wonderful story, which they certainly did.

This was followed by a very interesting talk from Geoff Somers about his trip across the Australian desert, two of his camels had babies on the journey.  My Darling Clemmie followed with Rohan McCullough.  What a wonderful play.  I thought she was mesmerising.  We then had the two pianos with David Nettle and Richard Markham, The pianos were supposed to arrive at midday, midday came and went and no pianos, David and Richard arrived about three, still no pianos, fortunately the pianos arrived soon after this and everything was ok. We then had John McCarthy.  John was such a gentle, unassuming man, I asked him how it affected him giving these talks and he said the only thing that affected him now was when he saw the video of his brother and father waiting to meet him off the plane as they had both died since that reunion.  John sent me a lovely Christmas card wishing the Society continued success.  John was followed by Tony Jacobs and Jim Barry who gave us a lovely evening of music and banter.  We then had Ann Widdecombe, a very ‘definite’ lady.  She was convinced we were a book society and nothing I could say would change her mind, indeed I had to run behind her to tell her anything at all which was then re enacted when I had to run after her to present her with the flowers.  But never mind, she gave us another very good evening.  We ended the first half of the season with Cantabile.  Their singing was superb and we enjoyed joining with them for a couple of carols.

We started the second half of our season with Julian Lloyd Webber.  What a wonderful evening that was.  In case any of you were wondering Julian didn’t tell me he was bringing his wife with him and he certainly didn’t tell me she would be playing the en core with him.  I found this out in general conversation with him at 6.20pm on the evening which left me with the dilemma of the flowers for her, or should I say no flowers for her.  Just at that time Corinne came in and I explained the situation to her and out she went again to the local supermarket and bought a bunch of flowers for me, I was so grateful to her.  Another crisis averted.
 
Gerald Dickens followed and gave us another superb performance, he was followed by Valerie Leon, Valerie was a lovely person behind the scenes.
Some of you told me you weren’t so keen on this presentation but you can’t say we don’t have variety and quite a few people came up to me to say how much they had enjoyed it, so it just goes to show how different all our tastes are.  After Valerie we had Anthony Stuart Lloyd and Sharon Richards.  Anthony was larger than life and so was his performance, I don’t think anyone could not have found something to enjoy in his evening.  I particularly enjoyed the kiss on the stage, he took me by surprise and I felt my cheeks redden but that’s Anthony for you, always the unexpected.  We then had John Pilkington, what a story teller and adventurer, it was a fascinating evening.  We then had David playing the harp, Michael playing the violin and Jane singing.  They had only played to serious classical audiences and changed their programme and their style for us by chatting in between pieces, and you could see they became more comfortable as the performance went on and they thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  They each wrote to me praising the Society and the technical staff.  We then had Nick Baker, what a lovely person he was to look after, my bubble was burst when he asked me to mother him and make sure he left at a reasonable time as he had to travel back to Devon that night.  Oh well, that’s life.  He was so enthusiastic and loved doing the show and I think that came over well and truly in his talk.  I should think he is wonderful with the school children.  All too soon it was the end of the season and we finished with Sue Greenways orchestra and the Glen Miller era. With Tony Jacobs and Eleanor Keenan, what an orchestra, they looked so good on the stage with the red and white stands and in their dinner jackets and evening dress.  They were truly professional and it was a wonderful finish for our season.  I think we have all really appreciated the standard and skill of the musicians and speakers this year.

Well, we finished yet another season and some of us had to do our Trustee’s duties ready for the AGM and I have also been busily booking for next season.  I haven’t got so many ready for you this time as I am waiting for a decision from ‘a celebrity’. 
I have given all the available dates to choose from so I can’t continue booking until a decision is made. This is always a problem with celebrities as they are very reluctant to book so far in advance as they wouldn’t want to let us down but neither would they want to miss an opportunity if something came up in films or television.  Anyway this is what I have so far and I hope it’s enough to encourage you to join the Society again next season.  We will be opening our season on the 17th October with Harlem Hot Feet, The Jiving Lindy Hoppers will be accompanied by the Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra.  This is an exciting, action-packed jazz and dance show that celebrates the song and dance of the 1920’s and 30’s. 

The following week on 24th October we have Jill Morrell who will give us an interesting look at the other side of the story that unfolded during the incarceration of John McCarthy.  On 31st October we have Fiona Pitcher.  Fiona has lead teams and presenters up to 100 strong in the African bush, across Continents and right round the UK.  She has won BAFTA and EMMY awards and is best known for creating Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Big Cat Week and supplying the One Show.  Fiona will show clips and outtakes with moving images during her talk.
On 14th November we have Captain William Wells.  William is a Master mariner, former Ship’s Captain, licensed Harbour Pilot and published author.  William will entertain us with the often funny stories and adventures of being a Ship’s Pilot.  On 28th November we have David Edwards, David will be talking about ‘Botswana and the Okavango Delta’.  Botswana is a stable, democratic country that has avoided the tragedies and upheavals of its neighbours. The struggle for survival in the harsh Kalahari is contrasted with the lushness of the Okavango Delta. 
On 5th December we will finish the first half of the season with A Christmas Night at the Opera with the London Festival Opera Company. 
This will be performed in Victorian costume with 6 singers and a pianist.  There will also be carols for us to sing.  This will be a lovely lead up to Christmas and the end of the first half of our season.

We open the second half of the season on 16th January with Hatstand Opera, they will be performing ‘Opera is Murder’, an amusing and light hearted look at tragedy in opera.  On the 23rd January we have Stephen Venables.  In 1988 Stephen became the first Briton and just one of a handful of people in the world to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen.  Stephen tells the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s famous Antarctic expedition across South Georgia, one of the last great epics of exploration.  The notice that went in the Times in 1913 read ‘Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in event of success’.   Gosh, that would make you want to go wouldn’t it! 

By overwhelming popular request I’m finishing the season with those three Scottish Tenors, Caledon.  I think they will certainly end our season on a high.

I would like to thank all of you for your suggestions and ideas for future seasons.  This is a great help to me.  I look into all the suggestions and sometimes a booking follows.  If one of your suggestions is not taken up it might be that, although a lot of television celebrities appear to have no trouble speaking in front of a camera on television, they are reading from a cue or from memory, and although they might do after dinner speaking, they are very reluctant to try and craft a full theatre performance.

I give performers and speakers all the information about the Society, including our web site, I meet them either off the train or I arrange parking and meet them at the theatre.  If they stay overnight I make the booking and collect their keys for them.
I arrange for food and drinks to be available and I arrange for them to speak to Simon for their technical requirements.  I also liaise with Sonia if they have books or CD’s to sell.  You can be assured that I do everything I can to make each Monday evening enjoyable for all of us and for the artists and speakers too.  I know not every evening may be to everyone’s taste that would be impossible. And it never ceases to surprise me how very much individual’s tastes differ.  I always warn the artistes that some of our members have taxis booked or buses to get, so if there is movement at about 9.30pm not to worry, we are not all rushing to get out!  And I advise our artists, nearly always unnecessarily, that we wish the programme to be free from comments of a sexual nature, politics, religion and swearing.  Some funny things happen behind the scenes as you can imagine, it keeps me on my toes.  Most of the artists are good natured and tolerant of our Societies ways but some can be, how shall I put it? I think the word I’m looking for is challenging!
I hope the variety in the programme I have outlined so far will encourage you all to re-join the Society again for the coming season.  
So that Ladies and Gentlemen is the conclusion of my report for this year, thank you. Cindy Hardy

The Glen Miller Story-Sue Greenway and her 17 piece orchestra.

What can I realistically add to what has already been said about Sue Greenway and her wonderful band of musicians-every single one of them a virtuoso in his/her own right?

Tony Jacobs-a very necessary ingredient in this `home baked pie`-to not have him involved would be like a car without a steering wheel-he sort of binds(not as per constipated )the proceedings together and gives direction to any project he is involved with and his obvious deep knowledge and informed comment about the subject is truly marvellous.
To say nothing of his handsome good looks, velvet voice and his lovely endearing sense of humour-sometimes showing the wicked- (current context) side of his nature!

Eleanor Keegan-her sumptuous vocal range with rich timbres aptly complimented Tony (in their duets) and suitably echoed the days when this type of music was all the rage.

Another wonderful evening of music from the era when melodies reigned supreme-the views expressed within the lines of the songs are still as relevant today and tunes composed then are instantly recognised now,  many decades later.
Indeed some of our better known young, contemporary vocalists have these `standards` in their repertoire and they are regarded as `staple diet!`

This music will never die and the likes of Sue are to be congratulated that, in these times of austerity and where just about anything can pass(in some circles) as `good` she is travelling around and keeping this outstanding genre alive.
Well, this concert brings to a close another very successful and varied season of events (except for the ever important AGM on 21/3/2011)-all involved are to be heartily congratulated for their continued efforts on our behalf.

We eagerly wait to see what thrills have been `lined up` for the forthcoming season, starting again in October.
In the meantime, several excursions have been planned to keep the society’s endeavours in our minds and agenda.
Jennifer Kersey(miss)