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S kAL INTERNATIONAL PENDLE    No.565.

International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals

Founded 1934

 

       PRESIDENT                    SECRETARY              TREASURER                                             

Michael Churnside                           Doreen Rawstron            Susan Mortimer

 

APRIL 2010 NEWSLETTER

                                                                      

     Our April meeting was a departure from the norm for Pendle Skalleagues and their guests as no hotel beckoned but a theatre set on a steep street just off the main street which wends its way through Colne.   For most people when you mention this town, the new imposing Boundary Mill at the end of the M65 comes to mind and Wallace Hartley – the bandleader on the ill-fated Titanic, which links very well with the musical accompaniment that can be found at the Pendle Hippodrome when a show is in progress.

 

      On April 12th 18 Skalleagues and guests assembled in the bar at this purposeful built theatre first opened on the 21st September, 1914, and it was good to see Brenda Storey making a return visit and past Skalleague Val Andrew accompanied by her daughter Suzanne, fitting us in between her visits to Australia and warmer climes.

     We were all given a warm welcome by the Chairman Keith Walton and a history of the theatre’s varied use, first as a theatre, a cinema and then a bingo hall when it closed down in 1978.   Now volunteers keep this wonderful theatre alive having been previously purchased jointly by three local operatic societies.

 

     Divided into two groups we were taken first into the stalls of the theatre for a description of the decorative features, then backstage where a blue spotlight gave us a rather sepulchral appearance but then the curtain came up and I am sure if we had had more time to rehearse we could have given a song and dance act.    An explanation of the stage lighting, the close circuit television linked to the dressing rooms, the safety curtain and the fly gallery was given before we were on our way up the stairs and up and above into the latter.   Demonstrations of hoisting the scenery were given – you certainly needed muscles for that job, a tour of the four dressing rooms – the star one even having a shower, an outside door that opened out onto the flat gravestones of the 11th century parish church of St. Bartholomew’s and a wonderful panoramic view of Colne and Pendle Hill and then the wardrobe department which also hires out its costumes.   I know at least one lady who had her eye on the white, sparkling Ginger Roger’s number hanging up at the end of the row.  

 

     For those technically challenged there was much to see with the computer aided sound and lighting system based in what was once the projectionist’s room and what a tight squeeze it was for the nine of us! -  then a return to the bar after the 90 minute tour.   There we found Skalleague Jean Pycock relaxing with a glass of wine and being well looked after and entertained by a gentleman volunteer of Pendle Hippodrome.   He had given her information about his role in the running the theatre and the part it played in the community.   To say she was full of praise for his company would be an understatement.

 

Supper followed in the guise of pie and peas and much chatter and appreciation of the evening was voiced by those present.   President Michael in his vote of thanks said that the group had appreciated the time that members of Pendle Hippodrome had given up freely to entertain and inform about their theatre and he was hopeful that some Skalleagues would make a return visit to see a performance in the future.

 

Our next meeting will be on May 9th when we venture out again into the environs of Pendle visiting the small town of Earby and the Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum.   The cost will be £4.50 for members and £5 for guests which includes tea/coffee  and biscuits on arrival.  

 

Following the visit there will a short journey back to the outskirts of Colne to the Langroyd Hall Hotel for a carvery meal at a cost of £3.59 which can be independently paid for at the hotel.   Members are asked to arrive 7 for 7.30 p.m.

I would appreciate it if members could let me know if they intend coming along to Earby

no later than Thursday, 5th May.

 

FUTURE MEETINGS

 

May 12th            Lake District – Jazz Evening at Hawskhead Brewery – contact Anita  

                            McLaughlin

May 14th            Jersey – President’s Black Tie Dinner – contact : 

                            davidlord.55@googlemail.com

June 14th            Venue  to be advised

July 12th             Aldo’s Italian Restaurant, Burnley

August 9th          The Calf’s Head Inn, Worston, Nr. Clitheroe

 

     Details of the June meeting will be enclosed in the May newsletter once the information has been collated.     

     

In conclusion, President Michael looks forward to meeting up with you in Earby when once again an enjoyable evening will be had by all.

    

Yours in Skal,

Doreen A. Rawstron

 

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