The Austwick Community Players is a local group of volunteers who organize the annual event in Austwick Village known as the ‘Over 65’s Supper and Entertainment Evening’.

Every year, on the first Thursday in March, the food committee organizes, prepares and serves a supper, free and by invitation, for all residents of Austwick, Wharfe, Feizor, Eldroth and Lawkland who are aged sixty five and over.  The occasion is held in the Austwick Parish Hall, and is followed by a theatrical production, which is written, produced and performed by The Austwick Community Players. Funds are raised for this annual event from two further public performances of the show, other fundraising events and from a number of donations, generously given.

Our group has a long history.  In 1966, the Women’s Institute first took the initiative to put on this annual event.  The group as it now stands took on a separate identity in 1989.  In 2002, it was a proud prizewinner in the ‘North Yorkshire Village Ventures Scheme’, a competition sponsored by Yorkshire Rural Community Council to recognize village projects that serve to benefit their communities.  This award was a great tribute to those who have contributed in every way to the group over the last thirty nine years.

AUSTWICK Community Players 2011 Show

The Wizard of Oz-twick

Cast(l to r): Ian Shaw; Elizabeth Booth; George Gooch; Pat Broadhead; Sue Sharples(seated); Andrew Booth; Vivienne Shaw; Catherine Nicholson; Veronica Caperon; Sue Goold.

This year we were taken on a magical tour of the Land of Oz (twick). All our favourite characters from the Wizard of Oz were there, but not all just as we remember them! We saw tall Munchkins, who thought they were small, a camp guard who was very “camp”, and, most surprisingly of all, a Wizard who turned out to be a Wizardess!

The 2010 Production – Makin’ Tracks

This year’s entertainment – “Makin’ Tracks” – was performed on the 4^th, 5th and 6^th of March and followed the story of Laura as she travelled on the Settle Carlisle Railway on her way to join the Foreign Legion. Although married with ten children, Laura had recently met handsome Dr. Alec Finlay and, being unable to choose between him and her boring banker husband, Teddy, had decided to run away. After witnessing the first hilarious meeting of Laura and Alec in a station waiting room – shades of “Brief Encounter” – the audience was taken on a comedy ride accompanied by Yorkshire men masquerading as Irish navvies, a posh shooting party, a boisterous group of football supporters and a couple of hapless cyclists. The issue was finally settled by, of all things, a dance competition between Teddy and Alec, with the audience deciding whether Laura should choose one of them or join the Foreign Legion. Unfortunately for Teddy and Alec, the Foreign Legion was the clear winner!

On the “Over 65’s Night” we entertained 90 local residents. Our thanks go to the Food Committee, who cooked and served delicious meals to everyone in the audience. Without their hard work behind the scenes the evening could not have been the success it was.

Our two public performances were well attended. Thank you to all who paid good money to see us. Without your support we could not provide the free performance for the “Over 65’s”.

This year we were awarded a Grassroots Grant, administered by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, enabling us to purchase some much needed sound equipment which our audiences greatly appreciated. The enhanced sound effects were truly amazing.

Scenes from Makin’ Tracks

The Start of the Affair – The Refreshment Room

Left to right

Laura (Viv Shaw), Beryl (Chris Hooley), Mrs Bagot (Elizabeth Booth),Dr. Finlay (Pat Broadhead)

The Navvies trying to hoodwink the Foreman

Left to right

Nathaniel (Simon Chapman), Zachariah(George Gooch), Gabriel (Ian Shaw),Foreman (Heather Chapman)

Ladies Maids

Left to right

Minnie (Catherine Nicholls), Myrtle (Sue Sharples), Maggie (Chris Hooley)

Hapless cyclists in conflict with Authority

Left to right

Roger (Simon Chapman), Penny (Pat Broadhead), Stationmaster (Ian Shaw)

The Football Supporters in trouble with the Law

Left to right

Veronica Caperon, Viv Shaw, George Gooch, Sue Sharples, Chris Hooley, Pam Smith, Elizabeth Booth & Sgt. Dixon (Simon Chapman)

The Final Scene – Judgement Day for Alec & Teddy

Left to right

Sue Sharples, George Gooch, Sue Goold, Pat Broadhead, Viv Shaw, Ian Shaw.

In June 1941,whilst returning from a bombing mission in Germany, an RAF Whitely Bomber made an emergency landing in a field near Austwick. Just by chance, the story of this year's play is a direct consequence of that event many years ago

A Play written, produced, acted, sung, manufactured and more than any person can imagine, put together by a band of volunteers in a 'do-everything yourself attitude' to end up giving a wonderful free evening of entertainment to a group of elderly villagers.

The qualification to attend the play's premier is to be aged over 65. Prior to the entertainment they also enjoy a free warm three course meal with wine and ending with tea or coffee and after dinner mints. Such is the pleasure of the evening that it is feared some Austwickians, instead of knocking years off their true age, are adding years on in the hope of getting that special entry ticket.

At the airport check in desk Horace and Maurice camping it up to put Kenneth Williams in the shade. Off to a Morris dancers competition but grounded as all flights have been cancelled.

left to right

Maurice (Simon Chapman) Horace (George Gooch) Chantelle (Christine Hooley).

As has come to be expected from this excellent group of amateur players, the 2008 production pleased the audiences at the showings on three nights and the Village of Austwick in the area around the Community Hall vibrated with sound of laughter. I can guarantee that no group of cowboys were ever 'sent up' so riotously. A bout of severe coughing prevented your critic from attending the showings however, as your critic dwells in close proximity to the Community Hall, the report of the amusement based on the sound of laughter is a very accurate reflection and further content of this critic is based on reliable sources.

The Austwick Resident Theatre Critic.

Highlights from the 2008 production of "Gone West"

pictured from left to right

Pip Grimes, Elizabeth Booth and, Sheila Gooch.

Christine Hooley, Ian Shaw, and, Jackie Renwick.

Pam Smith, George Gooch, and, Elizabeth Booth,

Elizabeth Both and George Gooch

Jackie Renwick, Christine Hooley, and, Catherine Nicholls.

Vivienne Shaw, Heather Chapman Sue Sharples and, Pat Broadhead.