Spenborough Celebrate their Centenary

News item from Judith Morris, Cleckheaton & Spenborough AODS

I am writing to you with a little information about our society which is one hundred years old this year.   I know Robert has sent a photograph to, I believe, the President of NODA, of the ‘One Hundred Years’ certificate being presented to him as President/Chairman of the society but I thought you might also consider giving us a little publicity, in this our special year, for our forthcoming production of ‘Evita’ and, at the same time, a bit of a synopsis of how the society began in 1918.   The society  is extremely special to Robert and myself as our grandfather was one of the founder members and members of our family – both grandfathers, father, mother, auntie, uncles, my husband, my children, my grand-daughter and, of course, myself, have all be involved at some time or other and the name ‘Ormondroyd’ (my maiden name) has been synonymous with this society throughout the one hundred years.   Originally formed as a church society – St. John’s Amateur Operatic Society – it soon changed it’s title to ‘Spenborough Amateurs’ and has performed in Cleckheaton Town Hall every year since 1918 apart from the second world war years.   The first production was a musical ‘Aladdin & Out’ and I attach a photograph of the principals in that production.   I am proud to own the first programme and every other programme right up to our last production.

The society is proud to be able to present three productions each year, with, this year, the 70’s musical ‘Boogie Nights’ in May, our youth section’s fabulous production of ‘The Phantom Of The Opera’ in July and our forthcoming production of Sir Andrew-Lloyd Webber’s famous musical ‘Evita’ in November.

The society enjoyed a centenary celebration dinner-dance at Healds Hall, Liversedge, last month – photo attached, and, in the same Town Hall where the first and every show has been performed we will be presenting ‘Evita’ from Tuesday 20th – Saturday 24th November each evening at 7.15pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2.15pm.   Tickets can be purchased via our ticket secretary, Eileen Feltwell 01274 877828or via www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls and we would be delighted to see you all and make you very welcome.