ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

At the Annual general Meeting on 14 November, Bob Drywood was elected Chairman, Roger Cunnington Treasurer and Jean Cunnington Secretary/Administrator. On taking office Bob said,” I praise Tom Williams for his leadership of the Central Council and express the desire to look at the re-branding of CCAT, consider a review of its function(s), look to preparation of a mission statement and encourage other amateur theatrically associated organisations to join CCAT so that it is seen to represent the interests of all interested parties."

In recognition of his long service as Chair of CCAT, Tom Williams was elected Vice-President joining David Beckwith, Frank Drayton, Marjorie Havard, Gordon Hewlett and Irene Rostron, whose long service and dedication to the cause of amateur theatre in the UK have been similarly recognised

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY WORLD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The initial weekend event at Stratford on Avon from 31 October to 1 November 2009 involving a cross section of amateur theatre and others voluntary arts sector interests was extremely useful and will help to inform the bid and we look forward to more involvement in the New Year.

Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Arts Network, reported afterwards,

“We brought 65 representatives of voluntary arts umbrella bodies to Stratford-upon-Avon for the weekend to work with RSC staff and actors to develop ideas for the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival (one of the major projects within the Cultural Olympiad). As well as the various amateur theatre umbrella bodies we also invited representatives from a range of artforms, including music, dance and poetry, to look at how we might use the festival to encourage greater collaboration between amateur arts groups as well as with the RSC and other professional companies.

There was a fantastic mood and genuine learning in both directions. RSC Artistic Director, Michael Boyd, gave an opening speech in which he said “the World Shakespeare Festival, at the very least, will be a great project we can all enjoy but, at best, could be quite culture-changing: something very radical is happening in theatre in this country”. He stayed with us all weekend and genuinely listened and learned from the umbrella bodies. He was really excited about what we might do together and has asked for a follow-up meeting with us as soon as possible.”

SAFETY MATTERS

Most accidents in theatres are caused by slips and trips. CCAT supports the Theatre Safety Committee’s ‘Slips and Trips’ campaign. We also supported the TSC sponsored incident recording form system that encourages companies and theatres to submit details of all accidents and near misses so that lessons might be learned if trends emerge. If you do not have details of either of these campaigns please contact your own umbrella body.

The Health & Safety Executive has just issued a new consultation Health and Safety regulations to bring into effect the Control of Artificial Radiation at Work Regulations. So far as theatre is concerned the notes to the draft regulations in clued in ‘safe light sources’, “art and entertainment applications such as illuminating by spotlights, effect light and flashlamps”. So all might seem well. There is however some concern in the industry about the increased power of led lighting and its increased use in theatre, particularly as we move to the ‘greening’ of theatre. It is expected that manufacturers will be given a duty of care in this regard. But watch this space.

The good practice advice on Safety during get-ins and get-outs referred to in the last Newsletter is now being tested in the professional theatre. It is intended that, when finalised, it will provide a system of good practice throughout all theatrical venues. We are continuing to try to ensure that it will be in a form that the amateur sector can readily endorse.

LICENSING

The revised legislation making it easier for minor amendments to licences to be approved quickly and cheaply was brought into effect in October. Full details can be obtained from the DCMS Website www.culture.gov.uk There is also provision for certain community premises to dispense with the need to appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor. Regrettably, the wording of this provision appears to exclude the smallest theatres owned in the voluntary sector, who, because of the nature of their buildings, would find it very difficult to show that they are genuinely available to a wide range of community use. We are continuing to press on this issue.

ADMINISTRATION

Following Tom’s retirement from the chair, the email address ccatchair@aol.com will cease to be operative with immediate effect. If you need to contact Jean or Bob on any matter please use the link via the website: www.centralcouncilforamateurtheatre.org.uk

December 2009