Cumbria Decorative and Fine Arts Society

The Annual General Meeting of the Society took place on 14^th April at the Hundith Hill Hotel in Cockermouth.  Prior to the formal business members were given an insight into the outreach work undertaken by Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. Mr Ian Douglas, who runs the scheme, gave the talk and was ably assisted by Rosie Thurston, The outreach programme was established 11 years ago, as the new theatre was commissioned, with the intention of bringing theatre to those people who might not normally be involved and to use the medium to explore their lives.  Through the programme it was hoped to build confidence and enhance personal development.  It quickly became based on the West Coast of Cumbria initially in the Workington area. The target group was 11 to 25 year olds who were felt to have most to benefit and who would be easier to access via schools and existing voluntary organisations. The programme grew rapidly as funding sources were made available and soon there was strong demand from schools, the prison service and the voluntary sector in places as diverse as Workington, Wigton, Cockermouth, Carlisle and Keswick itself. As the project grew on the back of its success some of the links with the theatre became more distant until some 6 years ago Creative Partnerships were established to strengthen the links between schools and the Theatre.

The Story Tree has been a hallmark of the programme. A physical structure in the shape of a tree under which 20 or 30 young people can sit is taken into a venue. Under its protective canopy people are encouraged to make up and tell stories in many cases based on their life patterns and so develop interpersonal skills and confidence. Such work is often combined with a programme of outdoor activities in order to challenge the participants in several different ways at once. There are now 9 people involved in the programme across the West Coast although there are concerns for the future in the light of the current economic situation and public sector funding constraints. Story Tree works with the Princes Trust, some 15 schools in the Workington area and the Brathay Trust near Ambleside as part of their ‘Art in the Wilderness’ programme.

It was a thought provoking introduction to a part of the Theatre by the Lake’s activities of which few were aware and was well received by the audience.

The formal business of the AGM was efficiently dealt with and the Chairman, Hazel Jacobs gave an account of the highlights of the year’s activities. Mr Derrick French and Mrs Lynn Lines were welcomed onto the committee.  Membership numbers had held steady but there were still vacancies for new members wishing to join.

At the conclusion of the meeting some 60 members sat down to a pleasant lunch and looked forward to the next year’s activities which include a 3 day visit to Dumfries House, the Kirkudbright artists’ colony and Culzean Castle. The next meeting will be at the Hundith Hill Hotel on 19^th May for a lecture entitled,”The life and times of the Sundial “.