Honley Players ADS
Southgate Theatre, Southgate, Honley, Holmfirth HD9 6NT.
SOUTHGATE THEATRE, HONLEY
In 1966 a group of people from St. Mary’s Parish Church called a public meeting to see if there was sufficient interest in the village to set up an amateur dramatic society. The result was Honley Players.
The first production was “Off the Deep End” given at High Street Methodist Church. When that closed we moved to Moorbottom Congregational Church, then in 1972 the Congregational church and two Methodist churches merged and the Methodist Church in Southgate came on the market.
Huddersfield Common Good Trust advanced the £1,000 cash needed, and somehow, over the next five years, we raised £200 a year to pay back the loan on top of running and conversion expenses. The chapel was pulled down and the Sunday school converted into the theatre known to Honley playgoers today. Thus Honley Players A.D.S. became the only amateur drama society in our area to own its own theatre.
At the time many people thought we were mad, but the gamble has paid off. Staging three full-length plays and a pantomime each year, our diary also includes various other events.
In the meantime the theatre is used by other societies for shows, vintage brass band and dancing schools. Between time work to improve the appearance and amenities of the building goes on ceaselessly.
Due to the loyalty of our members, much of this work was accomplished and five of the founder members are still actively with us, including the present President Cynthia Hepper who has held this position for ten years and was Secretary for 32 years previously.
The first production was “Off the Deep End” given at High Street Methodist Church. When that closed we moved to Moorbottom Congregational Church, then in 1972 the Congregational church and two Methodist churches merged and the Methodist Church in Southgate came on the market.
Huddersfield Common Good Trust advanced the £1,000 cash needed, and somehow, over the next five years, we raised £200 a year to pay back the loan on top of running and conversion expenses. The chapel was pulled down and the Sunday school converted into the theatre known to Honley playgoers today. Thus Honley Players A.D.S. became the only amateur drama society in our area to own its own theatre.
At the time many people thought we were mad, but the gamble has paid off. Staging three full-
In the meantime the theatre is used by other societies for shows, vintage brass band and dancing schools. Between time work to improve the appearance and amenities of the building goes on ceaselessly.
Due to the loyalty of our members, much of this work was accomplished and five of the founder members are still actively with us, including the present President Cynthia Hepper who has held this position for ten years and was Secretary for 32 years previously.
