For over 100 years, Weston Operatic Society has brought musical theatre to our community, and since 1978, St Jude’s Hall has been at the heart of everything we do.

After decades of rehearsals, dance classes, and even the most energetic tap numbers, our rehearsal floor now needs to be fully replaced to keep the space safe for future generations.

Your support will help us protect St Jude’s Hall and ensure it continues to be a welcoming home for performers, young people, and our local creative community.

Founded in 1908, Weston Operatic Society has been bringing people together through musical theatre for well over a century. As a registered charity (No. 266217), our aim is simple: to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in the performing arts, building confidence, creativity, and community through theatre.

Since 1978, St Jude’s Hall has been our home. For generations of performers, volunteers, and audiences, it has been the place where productions begin, from first rehearsals to final preparations before stepping onto the stage. The Hall is more than just a rehearsal space; it is a creative hub that supports a wide range of local activity throughout the week.

The building itself represents a long-standing commitment from our members. When the Society first purchased the Hall in 1978, it was made possible through the donations and loans of our own members, who quite literally put their hands in their pockets to secure a permanent home for the Society. Since then, members have continued to support the upkeep of the building through fundraising initiatives such as our long-running 200 Club, which has helped raise funds for maintenance and improvements over many years. This tradition of member support demonstrates the deep sense of ownership and care our community has for St Jude’s Hall.

Alongside rehearsals for our own productions, St Jude’s Hall is regularly used by other local creative groups including Muses Theatrical Productions, Caroline Barlow School of Dance, Inspire Dance Academy and other community groups, helping to keep the building active and accessible within the community. It is also home to rehearsals for our junior company, The Oppitts, providing young performers with a welcoming environment to develop their skills, confidence, and love of theatre.

Weston Operatic Society is entirely self-funding. Our financial support comes mainly from theatre ticket sales and the generous contributions of our members and patrons, whom we proudly call our Friends. Their support helps us sustain productions, maintain our rehearsal home, and continue delivering accessible performing arts opportunities. Over the years, the Society has also helped raise many thousands of pounds for other local charitable causes.

Why we need your help:

The rehearsal floor at St Jude’s Hall has supported our work for decades. Since we acquired the Hall in 1978, the floor has never been fully replaced - only repaired where needed, with the occasional floorboard replaced to keep it safe and usable. It has endured years of rehearsals, classes, and community activity, even standing up to some of our most energetic tap routines, including those in our current production of 42nd Street.

However, after many years of heavy use, the floor has now reached the point where a full replacement is needed.

This is a significant investment for a self-funding charity, and any funds taken directly from our existing resources would reduce what we are able to invest in productions, participation opportunities, and the creative work at the heart of what we do.

By raising funds specifically for this project, we can protect our ongoing activities while ensuring that St Jude’s Hall - our home and a valued community creative space - remains safe, welcoming, and sustainable for the future.

What this project will achieve:

A new rehearsal floor will:

• Improve safety and accessibility for performers, students, and visitors

• Support inclusive participation across all ages and experience levels

• Protect the long-term sustainability of St Jude’s Hall

• Enable us to continue hosting rehearsals, classes, youth theatre activity, and community arts groups in a suitable environment

How your support will be used:

Funds raised through this appeal will be restricted specifically to the replacement of the rehearsal floor at St Jude’s Hall, including associated costs such as removal, installation, and materials.

If more funds are raised than required, any surplus will be used towards additional improvements to St Jude’s Hall, helping to maintain the building for future generations.

Supporting our future:

For over 100 years, Weston Operatic Society has created opportunities for people to take part in theatre, make lifelong friendships, and share creativity with the wider community. By supporting this appeal, you are helping to preserve a space that has been central to our story since 1978 - ensuring that St Jude’s Hall continues to be a home for creativity, participation, and community for many years to come.

New Friends and supporters are always welcome. If you would like to learn more about supporting Weston Operatic Society beyond this appeal, please contact our Business Manager on 07719 624100.

Thank you for helping us secure the future of St Jude’s Hall.