Members of the group ready to set off for the 2008 Sponsored Walk

Members of the group will be taking part in a sponsored walk this summer to help raise funds for the group and the upkeep of the Bannister Chapel.  The group organise a sponsored walk every two years, which is open to members of the adult and youth sections, and friends and family of the group.

Following on from an enjoyable and successful walk in the summer sunshine from Darley Bridge to Youlgreave and back in 2008 the group will be taking in the picturesque Monsal Dale and surrounding area.

This year’s walk will be held on Sunday 29th August, starting at 10.00am at Miller’s Dale Station and takes in the picturesque surroundings of Monsal Dale from Miller’s Dale to Monsal Head via Water-cum-Jolly, returning along the Monsal Trail – a total distance of 12.5km (7¾ miles) including stops at The Monsal Head Hotel and the Angler’s Rest.

The walk is open to anyone who would like to take part—adult and youth members, friends and family—please ask as many people to sponsor the group as you can—even if you are not able to take part.

Download the sponsored Walk 2010 Form

Co-vice Chairman Chris Peck receives the donation from Warsop Rotary Club's John Benison (left) and Graham Goff (right)

Towards the end of 2009 Paula Bargh and Dawn Shearwood helped the Rotary Club of Warsop present a short pantomime as part of their festivities, during which Paula and Dawn helped coach the members during a rehearsal and assisted with providing costumes from the Chapel.  On the evening Paula helped do make up for members taking part while Dawn did sound and lights for the show.  The show was followed by Paula and Dawn performing a few musical numbers.

During the production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ earlier this year the Rotary club approached the group to make a donation in recognition of Dawn and Paula’s assistance.

John Benison (left) and Graham Goff from The Rotary Club of Warsop attended a rehearsal for the youth section’s production of ‘High School Musical’ to present a cheque for a £250 donation to the group.

We would like to thank the Rotary Club for their donation and Dawn and Paula for their hard work

The evening celebrated the achievements of the youth section with the presentation of gold, silver and bronze awards for attendance and awards for length of service.

The award winners were:

Gold Award: Olivia Ballington, Charlotte Blunt, Madeline Blunt, Sophie Clifford and Brian Toner

Silver Award: Matthew Allen, Kieran Buck, Lianne Brunt, Ella Clark, Jarad Higgins, Cora Maxfield, Holly Tomlinson, Maria Watson and Rebecca Watson

Bronze Award: Connor Brown, Toni Fullwood, Rebecca Schoffam and Karyn Walker

2 Year Award: Toni Fullwood, Maria Watson and Rebecca Watson.

The evening also saw the presentation of The Jack Elliott Trophy.  The award recognises youth members who have 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 trophy was presented to Toni Fullwood by chairman Mick Whitehouse and vice-chairman Steve Sowerby in recognition to her hard work and dedication to the group, which has included choreographing for the youth section’s productions of ‘High School Musical’, ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ and ‘From Broadway to Hollywood’.

Rachel Ford was presented with an award as runner-up for the trophy as thanks for the hard work she also puts into the group, including helping backstage for a number of our productions.

The evening allowed members to review the minutes of the previous year’s meeting, approve the accounts for the year ending 30th April 2010, discuss the committee’s work for the year 2009-10 based upon the group’s Key Activity Report and elect the committee for the 2010-11 year.

The posts of Chairperson, Co-vice Chairperson and Minute Secretary were up for re-election along with all members of the committee with the exception of Hazel Simpson, who is co-opted onto the committee to assist the group’s fundraising applications.

Kim Sas and Dale Shaw both stepped down for 2010-11 and were thanked for their help and support during their time on the committee.

The committee for 2010-11 was agreed as:

Members of the adult and youth sections performed a selection of songs from the youth section’s production of ‘High School Musical’ and the forthcoming musical ‘Carousel’.

Youth Section members at the 2009 NODA Youth Day

Members of Bolsover Drama Group’s Youth Section took part in the NODA Youth Day held in July.  The day was organised by NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, who Bolsover Drama Group are affiliated to.

The event follows on from last year’s NODA youth day, which over twenty members of the youth section attended.  Last year’s event was a day-long workshop based around the musical ‘Grease’ and allowed the members to learn new skills in acting, singing and dancing, whilst mixing with other amateur youth dramatics societies.

Following positive feedback from the members of the youth section, who thoroughly enjoyed the event, the group arranged a visit to this year’s youth day, which was based around the musical ‘Hairspray’.

The grant was offered as part of the ‘Healthy Bolsover Community Chest’ to promote social inclusion and increased self esteem and confidence, and will be used to help our large cast of principals perform their musical numbers.

Lesley Seaston is presented with a 15 year long-service award at the 2010 Annual Dinner and Dance

Bolsover Drama Group held its Annual Dinner and Dance on Saturday 24^th April at the Grassmoor Golf Club Hardwich Suite.

As a group we pride ourselves on providing a thriving social community off-stage as well as on-stage, and our annual dinner and dance is one example of the regular events we hold.  Members, friends of the group and honorary members were invited to the evening, along with guests of the group Shearer Thurlby and Ann Simpson.

Following a three-course meal long-service awards were presented to Istvan Koszegi and Chris Peck (10 years), Mick Whitehouse and Lesley Seaston (15 years), Steve Sowerby (20 years) and Ken Radmore (25 years), after which the night was concluded with a disco and the chance for members to socialise.

We would like to thank all the staff at Grassmoor Golf Club for their hospitality during what proved to be a successful and enjoyable evening

We have received nominations for our production of ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ for the region 2 pantomime award and ‘Murdered to Death’ for the region 2 play award.

The results of the awards will have been announced at the NODA East Midlands AGM cabaret and awards ceremony on 9^th May at Loughborough Town Hall.

The chance to be nominated for awards such as these 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.

After sifting through the costumes we ended up with a number of items that we had forgotten about, which we catalogued for future use, and some which we felt we would never use again or had unfortunately fallen victim to time and damp, which we decided to remove from the Chapel.

This event followed on from a similar exercise last summer where old scenery, rubble and weeds were cleared from the chapel and its surrounding area – both activities have allowed us to clear space for work within the chapel, and also allow us to tidy up items we do need to keep. It’s not an easy job as the chapel is in use all year round constructing scenery for the current production, but we try and fit as many tasks into what time is available!

We will also be looking to invest some of the money we have raised so far by replacing damaged window frames, while continuing to look for funding for larger restoration tasks. If you are able to assist us in any way, from informing us of avenues of fundraising to offering your services please speak to a member of the front of house team or email chapel@bolsoverdramagroup.org