A brief history of the Chideock Players in the words of one of the original members Mrs Pat Hussey (written in 2002):

"For many years before 1947 there had always been an entertainment group in the village run by the schools or churches and after 1919 by the Womens Institute. Mrs Hutton took the lead as producer in 1947 before Mrs Josephine White took over in 1948 producing Bona Venture - a play all about Nuns as in those days the group consisted of all women! The group took on the name Chideock Players in 1950 for their first production of Blithe Spirit.

There are still a few of the original players in the village. So many local people were players - Mrs Weld, Mrs Kirby, dear Trixie Higham & Maud White and Leslie Fussell our president for many years.

I remember Mrs Veronica Bickford playing "Miranda" the mermaid - she was carried by Gilbert Legg as she had a wonderful mermaids tail. Derek Taylor was always available as our reliable "curtain puller" and John Newman built the lighting box, known as the "Doctor Who" box for many years.

We had many happy hours rehearsing and put on some terrific shows."

Through this website, Judith Newman has contacted us with her memories:

My grandfather Robert March and my father John Newman were both involved with the ealiest productions of the Chideock Players. I can remember rehersals taking place in Mrs White front room at Broadmead.

My memories of the Chideock Players are all very happy. Both cast, stage crew and front of house always enjoyed themselves tremendously and, although I did not attend, I believe their last night celebrations were something else! I did "appear" in the 1967 production of The Noble Spaniard, it was a VERY cold spell and absolutely freezing in off the shoulder period dress, however, I was not prepared for the fact that Terry Lunt had replaced the cold tea with neat whisky for the afternoon tea scene! It certainly warmed me up and I did not say no to a second cup!