Local entertainment group The Woodlanders are back with their annual variety show next month, promising an evening of entertainment for all.
The show will run from 6th October to 11th October at the East Woodlands Village Hall.
The group began in 1977 when Lydia Tudgay, choir mistress at St Katherine’s Church, proposed holding a concert to raise funds for the village hall, which needed urgent repairs. What started as a simple concert soon evolved into a music hall-style show, featuring song, dance, musical performances and comedy. Today, the show has developed into a full variety performance, with each year’s programme completely new and created by the cast.
For the first performance, the Village Hall was temporarily renamed ‘The Woodlands Hippodrome’. The show was so popular that a second night was quickly added, and both nights sold out, establishing a lasting tradition. Over the years, the show became an annual highlight, at one point running nightly for three weeks.
This year, the group has welcomed a new musical director, Hannah Drury, a classroom music teacher, vocal health first aider, singing teacher and performer. Under her leadership, The Woodlanders have begun incorporating more modern material, ranging from sea shanties to contemporary pop hits.
“There is no single thing that defines a Woodlanders show,” said a spokesperson for the group. “It’s a mix of many things: a warm welcome, convivial atmosphere, historic building, licensed bar, café-style seating and a special magic that ensures audiences leave with a smile on their faces. The current members are fun, friendly and welcoming, each bringing their own unique talent to create the collective that is The Woodlanders.”
Tickets are available by contacting the Box Office on 07510 919573. For more information, visit www.thewoodlanders.biz
Local charities wishing to be considered for a donation can contact the group at trudiwhittock@outlook.com.
Pictured: The Woodlanders in rehearsal Credit: Jack Williams
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=Urk_LoKdbyA5wCGXfOsmxA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQE9bG0JiwAGbDiRybWpniHl3S_JME1opy0wA9QFDIy0XxntRNw8bGoPIKb_1jRonirVvDCw6NYu&oh=00_Af12PjQUAyrVZjkbOBVFQkTHkVywPeQ0QxjRSdeTjBvGIg&oe=69F6752A "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
