Bolsover Drama Group

For the last few years rather than send each other Christmas cards we have donated to a good cause. This year the cause is Landmarks, which is both local and close to both our members Istvan and Janet Koszegi’s heart, as Janet explains: Landmarks is a small specialist college for people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It is a local college that provides a tranquil environment in which to learn. They help students with Independent living skills with also preparing to go into the work place. The students learn English, Maths, Communication, Horticulture and Conservation, Woodwork, Pottery, Small Animal Care, Large Animal Care and other subjects. We have seen first hand the wonderful work the College do as our daughter Emily, who has Aspergers Syndrome, Dyslexia, Selective Mutism, Social Phobia, goes.  She has been there for the last 7 years and we have seen such a change in her, her confidence and happiness has greatly increased.

Well done to Mick Whitehouse, Hannah Bradford, Wendy Blunt, Judith Doram, Nicky Constable, Leanne Blunt and Lisa Blunt who took part in a first aid course on Saturday 20th September 2014. After passing the course all these members are now first aiders for the group. Also a special thank you to Keyleigh Constable for organising all the training that was required.

Many thanks to Dale Shaw & Rachel Johnson for organising a Tombola stall on Saturday 6th December 2014 at the Doe Lea Centre’s Christmas Fair. They managed to raise £61 for the group and promoted our next show Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Great job!

We received last month a thank you note and a few pictures from Helen McVicar who works at Netherthorpe Community School. Helen borrowed some of our props from past productions to replicate images of WWI & WWII for the schools participation in the world war remembrance anniversary. Helen expressed how grateful her team were able to use the props and she has decided to acknowledge the group in their forthcoming school news letter. As a ‘Local Drama Group’ we are very proud that we have been able to help the school with their educational and historical event. We would also like to thank our props manager, Sue Law, for organising this.

At the Youth Section showcase evening on Saturday 15th November 2014 the group made its annual presentation of the Jack Elliott Trophy. The Jack Elliott Trophy recognises a youth member who has, over a number of years, continually demonstrated commitment to the group, an Excellent attendance record, excellent attitude and excellent behaviour – the decision on who receives this award is made by the people who work with our youth section. The award for 2014 was presented jointly to Youth Section members Charlotte Blunt and Connor Brown. The group would like to congratulate Charlotte and Connor on their award

The group’s schedule of work to maintain the Bannister Chapel in Shuttlewood has continued at pace throughout autumn 2014. As part of this volunteers replaced the door to the costume room which had become damaged through many years of use. The new door allows our costumes to remain stored in a warm, dry environment for use in the group’s productions.

In between building set for High Society we have been embarking on more plans as part of our chapel maintenance project. Over the summer we have begun to tidy our costume storage area with the aim of building a catalogue of costumes, props and scenery so we are able to fully utilise what we have in store. Following the completion of the first phase of roof repairs and a renewal of the building’s electrics we aim to begin the next phase of the project to secure professional services to complete any required roof and guttering repairs this Autumn. While our members try to do as much as they can, if you (or someone you know) would be willing to provide expertise, time, equipment or materials to assist us with this project contact the group by calling 01246 827297 or by emailing info@bolsoverdramagroup.org . We would be willing to display your name or the name of your company as part of our Front of House display, programmes and publicity communications for our subsequent productions as a

On Saturday 2nd August 2014 the group held a stall as part of the Charity Gala day in Bolsover Market Place, offering members of the public a chance to win on our sweet game as well as promoting the group. We’d like to thank those that helped and everyone who came to see us during the day.

This summer saw the wedding of Bolsover Drama Group member Leanne Barlow and Gareth Holloway. On behalf of the group we would like to wish the new Mr & Mrs Holloway happiness in their future together.

At our Annual Dinner and Dance, which was held on Saturday 7th June 2014 at Grassmoor Golf Centre, we were proud to present Steve Sowerby with honorary membership of the group. A former director of the group’s musicals and pantomimes, as well as Vice Chairman of the group, Steve was a member of the group for 25 years before standing down in 2013. Attending the event as our guest of honour, Steve was presented with his honorary membership and a gift from the group by Chairman Mick Whitehouse and Vice Chairman Chris Peck. Members of the group and their families at the Annual Dinner and Dance prior to commencement of the evening’s entertainment

It has been a busy few months at the Bannister Chapel in Shuttlewood, the group’s largest asset and the location for scenery construction and storage for props and costumes. Since the last update in the programme for May’s production of ‘Who Goes Bare?’ the group have been active securing professional services to renew the building’s electrics and have also begun replace the cladding along the walls of the chapel as part of a longer-term maintenance plan. While our members try to do as much as they can, if you (or someone you know) would be willing to provide expertise, time, equipment or materials to assist us with this project contact the group by calling 01246 827297 or by emailing info@bolsoverdramagroup.org. We would be willing to display your name or the name of your company as part of our Front of House display, programmes and publicity communications for our subsequent productions as a thank you.

Bolsover Drama Group were proud to again be nominated for the NODA East Midlands Drama Award for district 2 for our 2013 play ‘There Goes the Bride’ at the NODA East Midlands AGM and Awards Day held at Loughborough Town Hall on Sunday 8th June. The chance to be nominated for awards such as this is one benefit we gain from being affiliated to NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, who also offer advice, information and workshops to amateur dramatics groups throughout the country.

Those of you who have been following the progress of our Chapel restoration project will be aware that we have spent the last couple of years working hard to plan regular maintenance and repairs for the Bannister Chapel in Shuttlewood, the group’s largest asset and the location for scenery construction and storage for props and costumes. As reported in the last update in the programme for ‘Aladdin’ we have made some good advances in this project over the last few months with repairs to the roof being undertaken, this has been followed since by the electrics in the main hall, kitchen and costume store being renewed, thanks to money raised as part of our fundraising and sponsored events. There is still a lot to do, however, and we will be looking at a range of tasks to be undertaken over the summer months so we can continue to use the facility for many years to come. These include work to the chapel itself, general maintenance and upkeep and categorisation of properties and costumes. Whi

Bolsover Drama Group are proud to again be nominated for the NODA East Midlands Drama Award for district 2 for our 2013 play ‘There Goes the Bride’. The winner will be announced at the NODA East Midlands AGM and Awards Day at Loughborough Town Hall on Sunday 8th June – keep an eye on our website, Facebook page and Twitter account to find out how we do. The chance to be nominated for awards such as this is one benefit we gain from being affiliated to NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, who also offer advice, information and workshops to amateur dramatics groups throughout the country.

A selection of members of Bolsover Drama Group took part in a sponsored slim in the weeks following Christmas to raise money for the group. Following the final weigh-in after 13 weeks a total of 103lb had been lost rasing the group £200 in the process so far, with awards going to those who had lost the most weight (as a percentage) since the initial weigh in. Congratulations to those who took part, and thank you to anyone who sponsored our members.

A handful of the adult membership looking to get fit for the new year have organised a “sponsored slim” to take place over the first 13 weeks of 2014. Prizes will be awarded to the members who lose the greatest percentage of weight after the conclusion of the 13 weeks with money raised going towards the upkeep and restoration of the Bannister Chapel.

The second half of 2013 saw the group undertaking a number of tasks as part of our ongoing project of repairs and maintenance to the Bannister Chapel. A former methodist chapel in Shuttlewood, the Bannister Chapel is a vitally important asset to the group as the location for set building and painting, and as a store for scenery, props and costumes. Due to the age of the building regular maintenance is required to ensure the premises remain fit for use. Following a clear-out of old scenery in October (in time to be donated to a local bonfire night event) space has been made in the chapel to allow work to be undertaken to remove a damaged skylight and to perform repairs to the roof. The additional room cleared also allowed the prop storage area to be re-organised and catalogued. Further work is planned later in the year to re-felt the flat roof at the rear of the building, to clear and catalogue the group’s costume storage, to renew the internal electrics and to replace some of the chape

Autumn 2013 saw members of the group raise money for various good causes. Money was raised for Children in Need through the sale of cupcakes baked by Leanne Barlow at a rehearsal in November, Ray Wignall took part in ‘Movember’ raising money for the cause to spread the awareness of men’s health and battle against prostate cancer and £87 was raised for the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal in lieu of sending Christmas cards.

At the Youth Section showcase evening on Saturday 16th November 2013 the group made its annual presentation of the Jack Elliott Trophy. The Jack Elliott Trophy recognises a youth member who has, over a number of years, continually demonstrated commitment to the group, an Excellent attendance record, excellent attitude and excellent behaviour – the decision on who receives this award is made by the people who work with our youth section. The award for 2013 was presented to Sophie Clifford, who also received her 10-year service award for membership of the Youth Section at our Annual Dinner and Dance in April.

As part of a change to the presentations of long service awards to members the group decided to move its annual service award presentations from the Annual Dinner and Dance to be part of the group’s annual variety show evening as part of a new variety show and awards evening. The first such evening took place on Saturday 30th November 2013 at the Assembly Rooms, Bolsover, and saw 10-year awards be presented to Donna Knowles and Derrick Hulett, a 15-year award presented to Paul Holland and 25-year awards presented to Barbara Booth and Pam Mosley as part of an enjoyable evening’s entertainment. On behalf of the group we would like to thank the recipients for their years of service to the group.  

Summer 2013 saw two weddings involving our members take place. In July Nicky Constable and Keyleigh Hulett were married at Mosborough Hall, while a few weeks later in August it was the turn of Liam Collins and Leanne Whitehouse to say “I do” at a ceremony in Cyprus. On behalf of the group we would like to wish the new Mr & Mrs Constable and the new Mr & Mrs Collins happiness for their futures together.

On Saturday 15th June 2013 members of Bolsover Drama Group took to the road on a trip to watch the professional touring production of the Dolly Parton musical ‘9 to 5’ featuring former Bolsover Drama Group member Tom Hargreaves. Tom, a former Youth Section member who played Bernardo in our 1999 production of ‘West Side Story’ performed the roles of Dwayne, Doctor, Max, Raymond and Ensemble in the production which took place at Nottingham Theatre Royal.

We were proud to be recently presented with the 2012 NODA East Midlands award for best pantomime (district 2) for our production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ – the fifth time in as many years we have come top in the category in district 2. The award was presented at the NODA East Midlands awards day at Loughborough Town Hall on Sunday 2nd June, where presentations were made to a number of amateur dramatics groups based within the East Midlands. The group were also nominated in the best drama award for the 2012 production of ‘Off the Hook’, putting it within the top three drama productions within the district. The chance to be nominated for awards such as this is one benefit we gain from being affiliated to NODA, who also offer advice, information and workshops to amateur dramatics groups throughout the country. NODA are the National Operatic and Dramatic Association – the UK-wide representative body for amateur theatre, which Bolsover Drama Group are affiliated to.

Our 17th Annual Dinner and Dance took place at Grassmoor Golf Centre on Saturday 20th April. Despite the earlier date for this year’s event (due, in part, to a summer of member weddings and hen / stag weekends) the evening was again well supported as members, friends and family took a break from the group’s recent hectic schedule to enjoy a three-course meal and entertainment. The evening saw a number of presentations of long service awards to members of the group – 10 year awards were presented to James Sheppard, Michelle Simpson and Sophie Clifford – all members who joined the Youth Section and have graduated to the adult section of the group. Ray and Janet Atkinson made a return from Cornwall for the weekend to receive 25 year awards, and founder member, and director of this production, Janet Koszegi was honoured with an award for 30 years service.