By Harry Mottram: It may seem a compact looking building on West Street but like Dr Who’s Tardis there is much more space inside. The now redundant Methodist Street in Axbridge is set for a new life as an arts centre – if the town rallies behind Paul Hughes and Pete Harding who have negotiated a 12 lease from the church authorities.

The main body of the church has seating for several hundred worshippers – or audience members – if a play or concert was to be staged there in the near future. It includes an impressive gallery accessed by a wooded staircase, an organ setting for music and a pulpit area for addressing the assembly. A high ceiling and stained glass windows grace the room while to one side a door leads to an vestry which could become a green room or changing area – while below the school room is well appointed and perfect for meetings, smaller events, a cafe or rehearsals.

Out the back are store rooms, a kitchen and toilets giving the complex plenty of potential for being developed into a 21st century arts centre come community building – adaptable for a variety of events both large and small.

Paul and Pete issued this statement: “Negotiations with the Methodist Church authorities have progressed well with a12 month license agreed from July 1st. We now need to make this arts project work. Funding is in place to cover running costs for the first 2 or 3 months. An Axe Vale Arts launch day is proposed for Sunday 6th July. Our thoughts are to plan a programme of performances, activities and an exhibition, throughout the afternoon and evening to promote our vision of a local arts centre.

“We aim to show the versatile range of possibilities throughout the building and offer an opportunity to showcase local talent. We would like to showcase music, drama, comedy, spoken word performances along with exhibitions of local artwork and possibly creative art workshops/demonstrations. We already have commitments from some local performers and artists and we are keen to build on this to create a timed programme for the day. This would facilitate people dropping in to see specific performances or perhaps staying longer to experience more of the event. There will also be information about Ave Vale Arts and indications of the ‘Streams of Work’ where we invite folks to consider signing up.”


The project now has a Facebook site with more information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/583188354145782/


Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk

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