The Society visit to Stratford RSC to see the performance of Kenneth Branagh playing Prospero, (his first return for 30 years) in the Tempest.

VISIT TO SEE THE TEMPEST STARRING  KENNETH BRANAGH

RSC STRATFORD WEDNESDAY 17TH. JUNE 2026.

1.30pm.        DEPART PILKINGTON AVENUE, WESTLANDS ST5 3RE.

2pm.               DEPART St. JOHN’S CHURCH BARLASTON ST12 9DA.

3.30pm.        APPROXIMATELY, ARRIVE STRATFORD FOR FREE TIME.

7pm.               PLEASE BE IN YOUR SEATS BY 7pm. FOR THE 7.15pm

                          PERFORMANCE.

THE COST OF THE VISIT IS £65 WHICH INCLUDES A BAND TICKETS 

(£75 EACH BUT £39.50 TO US AS WE GET THE GROUP DISCOUNT), COACH TRAVEL, CAR PARKING AND DRIVER’S GRATUITY.

I/WE WISH TO JOIN THE VISIT TO THE TEMPEST.

NAME(S)…………………………………………………………………………………………..

EMAIL………………………………………………………………………………………………

MOBILE……………………………………………………………………………………………

EMERGENCY CONTACT………………………………………………………………………

PLEASE SEND COMPLETED FORM PLUS CHEQUE MADE PAYABLE TO THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE TO MARGARET THOMPSTONE, 16, FAIRBANKS WALK, SWYNNERTON, ST15 0PF. MOBILE 07748251057.

YOU MAY ALSAO PAY BY BANK TRANSFER 30-95-91 00062931 REFERENCE “TEMPEST”. PLEASE DO NOT PAY BY BACS UNTIL I HAVE CONFIRMED YOU HAVE A PLACE ON THE VISIT.

I WILL BE JOINING THE COACH AT THE WESTLANDS………………………………

BARLASTON……………………………………………………………………………………..

I WILL BE PAYING BY BANK TRANSFER………………………………………………….

PLEASE MADE SURE MOBILES ARE SWITCHED ON DURING THE VISIT IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES.

The Nutcracker.

At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Clara tiptoes downstairs and is swept away on an unforgettable magical journey.....

At her parents lavish Christmas party, Clara is given a mysterious Nutcracker Doll. Once all the guests have left,she sneaks downstairs to find her present and comes face to face with the fearsome King Rat, ready to battle with the Nutcracker and his band of toy soldiers. As soon as King Rat is vanquished, Clara is whisked away on a magical adventure with the Nutcracker, travelling through swirling snowflakes to an enchanted kingdom where she is transformed into the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tchaikovsky's glorious score, performed live by 60 strong Royal Ballet Sinfonia, provides the captivating soundtrack to this festive classic.

This sumptuous and timeless production boasts sword fights,falling snow, magic and a 30 foot Christmas tree. Whether you're yearning for a hint of nostalgia or looking to start a whole new tradition for your family and friends, plan ahead ready to start your 2025 festive season in style.

THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

DAY VISIT TO BELVOIR CASTLE, GRANTHAM THURSDAY 3RD JULY 2025.

The name Belvoir, meaning beautiful view in French, dates to Roman times. Looking over the battlements from the terraces you will see the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. On a clear day Lincoln Cathedral can be seen, twenty-seven miles away. Four castles have stood on this spot since 1067. The present castle {the fourth one} was built in the early 1800s. The 5th Duke of Rutland and his new bride, Elizabeth, daughter of the 5th Earl of Carlisle chose the renowned architect James Wyatt, who was celebrated for his improvements at Windsor Castle, to create Elizabeth’s dream home.

There was a disastrous fire in 1816 destroying half the building and thirty valuable pictures were destroyed, including ones by Reynolds, Titian and Van Dyke. The Duchess masterminded much of the reconstruction with Sir John Thoroton, a keen amateur architect. Belvoir Castle captures the essence of the Regency period with wonderful decoration, furniture, paintings and porcelain.

The rose garden was designed by Harold Peto in 1906.

The engine yard has another café, a bistro and bar and retail shops.

8.00am. Depart top of Pilkington Avenue Westlands (ON ROAD PARKING).

8.30am. Depart St. John’s Church, Barlaston ST12 9DA. Please Park behind the church.

10.30am. (Approximately) Arrive at Belvoir Castle, alighting outside the Castle.

10.45. (Approximately) Coffee or tea at the Aviary tea room next to the Castle.

11.30am. (Approximately) Private guided tour of the Castle.

1.00pm.  Lunch, TO BE PURCHASED AT OWN EXPENSE and time to visit the gardens and Engine Yard.

4.30pm. Depart (From the Engine Yard)

The cost of the visit is £55.00 which includes church parking, entrance fee, morning coffee, private guided tour around the Castle, coach and coach driver’s gratuity.

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I/we wish to join the day visit to BELVOIR CASTLE. Cheque ……….. BACS……………………..

Name/s……………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………

Address……………………………………………………………………………….………...……………………………

Mobile………………………………………………Email…………………………………………………………………

Please send the completed form and cheque made payable to The Arts Society North Staffordshire to Carole Deakin, 17, Dartmouth Avenue, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 3NU. Telephone 01782 622097 Mobile 07799 891692. Alternatively, a Bank Transfer can be made to 30-95-91 account 00062931, Reference BELVOIR. Confirmation will be sent by email. Please send completed application form to my address.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MOBILE IS SWITCHED ON DURING THE DAY OF THE VISIT IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROBLEMS.

'Much Ado About Nothing'-- RSC Stratford.

What a fantastic day we all had on our Society trip to Stratford-on-Avon to see ' Much Ado About Nothing'-- William Shakespeare at RSC.
We were collected by coach at our preferred collection points and dropped outside RSC- the coach returned later, adjacent to the theatre for our return journey.

We had a fabulous walk along the River Avon in beautiful sunshine, lunch and a funny, raucous and zesty contemporary performance!!

Enjoyed by all... huge thanks to our Chairman Margaret Thompstone for all your hard work organising the visit.
 

The Merry Wives of Windsor - Performance at the RSC Stratford on 29/08/24.
 

What a triumph it was on two fronts-- a Modern day adaptation of Shakespeare's Comedy, it was filled with plots and sub-plots, fast pace comedy, farce and so much laughter! It was also the perfect 'pick me up' if you needed it.
Thanks go to our Chair Margaret Thompstone for organising such a great day out which was enjoyed by all.

THE ARTS SOCIETY NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE
DAY VISIT TO HIGHGROVE HOUSE, THURSDAY MAY 2nd 2024.
 

What a fabulous day spent on our visit today at Highgrove! The garden tour was fascinating, informative and inspiring.. topiary for structure and soft, elegant beds of rhododendrons and Azelias…wild areas of buttercup, bluebells and forget me knots. Chaotic Stumperies planted with a mass of hostas and ferns and romantic buildings over run with ivy, clematis and roses.
After our garden tour we were led to the garden room restaurant and had a delicious two course meal.. then onto the shop!
Many thanks Carole Deakin for organising us all and making it a day to remember!

The photograph shows a family of elephant sculptures outside the entrance to Highgrove Gardens.

A visit to the Birmingham Hippodrome to see The Nutcracker Ballet-- The Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Members enjoyed a wonderful performance!!

Members of the Society went on a day  visit to Aston Hall, Birmingham.

Aston Hall was built between 1618 and 1635.

Fabulous Architecture and wonderful period  interiors.

it was a very wet day so the beautiful gardens were not explored to the full.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day...thanks to Margaret Thompstone and Carole Deakin for organising.

This is a matinee performance of the  the critically acclaimed production of  A Christmas Carol

The Monastery was formerly a Franciscan friary which recently had a six million pound refurbishment. Coffee and tea will be provided on arrival followed by a talk about the history and refurbishment.

A light lunch is included.

After lunch we will visit Manchester Art Gallery with its Pre-Raphaelite paintings and collections of British and European art from the 17th. century to the present day

Shibden Hall is a Grade 2 Listed building which has been extensively modified by generations of residents although its half timbered Tudor frontage still remains. It is well known as the home of Anne Lister in the popular television series Gentleman Jack. 

Dean Clough Mills is a group of large buildings built between 1840 and 1860 which included the world's largest carpet factory. It is now seen as a leading example of urban regeneration. The converted mills now contain about 150 businesses, art venues and galleries. It also contains the Viaduct Theatre, the home of Northern Broadsides theatre company.

Halifax Minster was built some 900 years ago by Benedictine momks

The summer and autumn season has been cancelled as a consequence of the Corona virus.

Plans for this visit have been suspended due to the Coronavirus.

The Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester. It is named after L.S.Lowry, the 20th. century artist well known for his iconic paintings of industrial scenes in the North West. The Quays has a stunning waterfront location and impressive architecture where visitors may discover culture, history, heritage, shopping and sport. There is an award winning theatre, gallery and museum and many bars and restaurants.

Manchester cathedral is the mother church of the Manchester Diocese, the seat of the Bishop of Manchester and the city's parish church.

Cancelled due to the Coronavirus

Shibden Hall is a Grade 2 Listed building which has been extensively modified by generations of residents although its half timbered Tudor frontage still remains. It is well known as the home of Anne Lister in the popular television series Gentleman Jack. 

Dean Clough Mills is a group of large buildings built between 1840 and 1860 which included the world's largest carpet factory. It is now seen as a leading example of urban regeneration. The converted mills now contain about 150 businesses, art venues and galleries. It also contains the Viaduct Theatre, the home of Northern Broadsides theatre company.

Halifax Minster was built some 900 years ago by Benedictine momks

Chirk is a magnificent medieval fortress in the Welsh Marches. Completed  in 1310 in the reign of Edward 1st. it is the last castle from the period to be lived in today. The many occupants have left behind lavish interiors and a beautiful eclectic collection.

The castle is well known for its beautiful Christmas decorations.

After our visit we shall lunch at the nearby Bryn Howell hotel

 Director Justin Audibert turns Shakespeare's fierce, energetic comedy on its head to offer a fresh perspective on the portrayal of hierarchy and power, setting it in a matriarchal world where women have all the power.

Hardwick Hall is an Elizabethan masterpiece created in the 1500s by the powerful Bess of Hardwick. There is much to see, huge Flemish tapestries, Persian Table Carpets, Painted Wall Hangings, Inlaid Furniture, Portraits and the finest collection of 16th. and early 17th. century needlework in the world. The gardens house lovely walled courtyards enclosing pretty orchards,  beautiful lawns and a fragrant herb garden.

Bess was a powerful but controversial figure.  At times  she suffered greatly, two children and four husbands died and often she had massive debts.  Nevertheless she  rose to become the second richest woman in the country after Queen Elizabeth 1st.  She was responsible for the creation of both Hardwick and Chatsworth.

There is an opportunity to see an exciting and innovative exhibition, "We Are Bess",  in which modern women reflect on her life and the similarities  with their own experiences.

Lunch at The Upper House, Barlaston. 

To Celebrate  "The Arts Society - 50th Anniversary"

( includes a talk by Queen Elizabeth I )