Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival 2015

Joan Cheshire: 1920-2013

Joan Cheshire

Joan Cheshire was involved with
the Festival from the 1940s and
was President of the Swindon
and District Theatre Guild until
her death in 2013

Everyone at the Swindon and District Theatre Guild is deeply saddened by the death of our President, Joan Cheshire, on 12 November 2013. She was 93.

Joan's dedication to amateur theatre, and our organisation, was steadfast and constant and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Joan's family on her loss.

The message below is from Joan and, despite her passing, still sits on this page as evidence of her love of theatre and its practice, no matter what age or ability.

"When I'm asked why I love the Festival, I have so many answers to hand!

Most of all, I suppose, it's because to me the Festival allows our young talent to flourish in a supportive environment. These young actors, actresses, directors and stage crew are, after all, the future of drama here!

The Festival also gives so many youngsters the chance to perform on a stage in a proper theatre under Festival conditions – it's a wonderful opportunity to grow!

For me, it's this environment which also fosters another special quality: comradeship. Coming together, as we do every year in this way; we do all we can to help one another. Props, costumes and advice are all aspects of our performance about which we can ask for help – in fact that's a primary reason for the existence of the Guild anyway.

Over the years, I've noticed many changes. Most of all, I suppose, when I remember one act plays entered back in the 40s and 50s, it's the freedom of speech we enjoy now. I don't mean the political meaning of the phrase at all; more the freedom to express thoughts and emotions, in ways and words which all those years ago would have been frowned upon at best – or perhaps not allowed at all!

The Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival is a wonderful thing; we deserve it, and it deserves our support"

In due course, the Guild will announce Joan's successor as President.

About the Guild

The Swindon and District Theatre Guild was founded in 1945 and is affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). The Guild is a registered charity; Number 272571.

Mission Statement

Its purpose is to promote the advancement and improvement of general education in relation to all aspects of art and drama, along with the development of the public's appreciation of such art.

Aims

Its aims are:

To organise and promote the annual Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival
To foster and promote Drama in all its forms and to encourage the study of dramatic art
To proved a forum for the effective interchange of views between affiliated members
To provide a network, for props, sets, costumes, actors and production personnel
To establish and maintain association with similar groups in other parts of the country

The charity will also:

Make grants to individuals, including loans
Make grants to organizations, including schools and other charities
Provide advocacy, advice and information
Act as an umbrella or resource body

Membership

Any groups in Swindon and district who have paid an annual subscription
Individuals who have paid an annual subscription

Obligations

The Executive Committee shall comply with their obligations under the Charities Act 1992 (or any statutory re-enactment or modification of that Act) with regard to:

The keeping of accounting records for the charity
The preparation of annual statements for the charity
The auditing or independent examination of the statements of accounts of the charity
The transmission of the statements of account of the charity to the Commissioners

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Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival 2012

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