THEY have been treading the boards for over 75 years and members of the Wotton-under-Edge Dramatic Society are still entertaining people today.

It all started in 1931 when Kitty Irvine, of Under the Hill House, called a meeting in the town of people who would be interested in drama. The rest, it could be said, is history.

From its modest beginnings of rehearsing in cast members' homes and storing scenery and costumes in the town's banks, the society has provided a strong focus for the town for more than seven decades.

Now with 50 members and a successful junior section, the society performs up to four times a year in the town hall, including the legendary Wotton pantomime.

Performances over the years have included Pygmalion, An Inspector Calls, Cider with Rosie, Dick Whittington and Aladdin.

Joan Derham joined the drama group in 1955 when she was aged just 14 years old.

She said: "My mother saw me in a production by the Girls Friendship Society and was so impressed with me she made me join the Dramatic Society.

"There's a terrific team spirit in the society. Over the years I've made some great friends and lasting friendships."

It is this sense of family that has kept the society going through good times and hard times.

In 1983 the society suddenly found itself homeless when its rehearsal room in Clarence Road was declared unsafe, but the hard work of members meant a replacement was quickly found.

"We raised £20,000 in 18 months to build a new hall and we did it all by ourselves.

"Raising the money to build the green room was a real team effort. We did a touring play and a sponsored bike ride from the London Old Vic to the Bristol Old Vic as a relay on one bike," said Mrs Derham.

But the society had almost folded before that, when in the late 1960s an annual general meeting attracted only four people. An urgent report was featured in the local press, warning if no one joined then the society would finish.

Mrs Derham said: "Frank Kelly, a local teacher and Chris Lawn came along and with their wives joined and saved the group.

"If it wasn't for Frank it would have all stopped.

"And it was Frank who wrote the first pantomime for the group starting that tradition."

To be a part of the Wotton-under-Edge Dramatic Society, members do not necessarily have to be actors.

Anne Parry joined in 1967 and does not act but provides vital support, including painting scenery, doing the lighting, helping with costumes and acting as a stage-hand.

She said: "You have to be prepared to do anything with us. We don't have people who always do the same thing.

"For one performance someone might be behind the scenes but next time they might have the lead role. Everybody supports each other here."

For more information or to join the dramatic society contact Graham Smith on 01453 842618 or Anne Parry 01453 843144.