Townspeople called to a meeting on 29th January at the Market Hall to discuss the acquisition of the cinema and turn it into a Theatre. This would provide Holsworthy’s theatre groups with a more permanent home. At this meeting, it was agreed to purchase the cinema.
Initially, it was thought that a minimum of £5,000 would be needed to make this dream come true; £2,000 to purchase the theatre and a further £3,000 to convert it. £650 was available for purchasing the theatre from the accounts of HATS, £150 was received from Holsworthy Rural Council and Members and Friends contributed funds – the cinema was subsequently purchased for £1,700. Converting the theatre would become a real labour of love.
HATS is born
At a meeting on 27th July, The Theatre Club and the Dramatic Society officially merge to form HATS (Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society) as suggested by Mary Kelley. At this meeting, a resolution was passed that the old Cinema would be purchased and converted. The theatre’s first trustees were appointed – Edgar Clark, Val Kelley, James Rowland and Geoff Tucker, and their signatures placed on the contract of purchase. James (Jim) Crumblehulme suggested that a Society embracing all those interested in amateur dramatics and a theatre for Holsworthy be formed. And this was HATS.
The first ever committee was formed – Mr. A.J Whitlock was Chairman, Mary Kelley was Vice-Chairman, James Crumblehulme was Secretary, and Val Kelley was Treasurer. The other committee members were Doug Beeley, Menor Piper, Annette Vanstone, Mrs. B. Payne, Mike Wood, George Tucker and Chris Medland.
The first HATS pantomime Mother Goose is rehearsed in the cinema.