The Preston Arts Association is an affiliation of local groups, organisations and individuals who are interested in amateur and voluntary arts.
Why not join us and become a member from only £5 per year. More information.
We compile, print and distribute Preston Arts News three times a year.
We organise and produce the annual Preston Arts Festival.
We update a Whats On guide in conjunction with Preston FM.
We provide a forum for discussion and arts development.
Preston Arts Festival
Watch this space for news of the 2012 Arts Festival. The programme for 2011 has been left on the webpage as an indication of the scope of the festival. Click the logo or menu item (Festival) to see it.
Preston Arts Association is pleased to have close links with the local community radio station for Preston and South Ribble, Preston FM.
Grant Aid
Preston City Council Small Arts Grant will be assessed on a quarterly basis by an advisory panel that is representative of Preston's diverse arts community which includes Preston Arts Association.
Go to Preston City Council for updated details (select A-Z and look for grants), or contact Samantha Blackburn, Preston City Council Cultural Development Manager.
s.blackburn@preston.gov.uk.
Contacts
Chairman: Vincent Smith
tel: 01257 272929
email: vsmith@pagehall.idps.co.uk
Secretary: Mike Cracknell
tel: 01772 748547
email:mikecracknell@blueyonder.co.uk
Click for: Membership Application Form.
Current Members
General organisations
Gujarat Muslim Welfare Society. Mamoud Amirat, 72 Coniston Road, Fulwood, PR2 8AY (01772 791600)
Preston & District University of the Third Age (U3A) Self-help organisation for retired people providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities. Venue St. Cuthbert's Church Centre, Lytham Road, Fulwood, PR2 3AR at 2pm on 3rd Thursdays monthly. Contact Mr D Pluck 5 Ashleigh Court, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9WU
Preston Parish Arts & Education Trust Organises lunchtime concerts at St George's Church at 12.30pm on 1st & 3rd Fridays. Venues: St John's Minster, Church Street & St. George's Church, George's Road, off Lune Street, PR1 2NP (01772 490534). Contact City Parish of Preston, Parish Office, St. John's Minster, Church Street, PR1 3BT (01772 901313).
They Eat Culture Organisation working on arts engagement, programming and cultural projects. Venue; The Continental, South Meadow Lane, Broadgate, PR1 8JP (01772 499425). Contact Ruth Heritage ruth@theyeatcuture.org or Shirley Bailey shirley@theyeatculture.org (01772 499207).
Dance
Dancing the Next Step Contact Mr & Mrs R McDonald, Kermin House, Hothersall Lane, Longridge, PR3 2XB.
Preston Circle Dance Group The group dance together to beautiful and inspiring music from many lands. Venue; Galloway Hall, 131 Brackenbury Road, Fulwood, PR2 3BS at 7pm 1st & 3rd Tuesdays (not January, June or July). Contact Rosemary Forrest, 1 Ribble House, Samuel Street, PR1 4YH (01772 793658) rosemary.forrest@talktalk.net.
Preston Folk Dance Club The club holds folk dancing nights for anyone to enjoy. Venue; Galloway Hall, Brackenbury Road, Fulwood, PR2 3BS at 7.45pm on Mondays. Contact Jeff Thomas, Chapel House Farm, Chapel Lane, Coppull, PR7 4LZ (01257 791323) twojaysatchf@tiscali.co.uk.
Drama
Broughton Club Players For over 60 years, the players have rehearsed and performed plays three times a year at the venue. Venue; Broughton Club, Whittingham Lane, Broughton at 7.30pm Tuesdays & Fridays. Contact Judith Webster, 4 Lodge View, Longridge, PR3 3ET (01772 783896) judithwebster@redacoustics.co.uk.
Broughton Players Since 1946 the group has performed three plays a year and has rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Venue; The Playhouse, Market Street West at 7.30pm. Contact Wyn Tagg, 24 Pear Tree Road, Clayton-le-Woods, PR6 7JP (01772 312447).
Hall Players Formed 40 years ago, the adult group also runs a Junior Hall Players for 11-18 year olds who also produce their own shows and participate in the pantomime. Venue; Parish Hall, Broadway, Fulwood at 7.30pm Tuesdays & Thursdays. Contact Laura Forshaw, 18 Broadway, Fulwood, PR2 9TH
Westminster Stage Engineering Mr W Sproson, 11 Northgate, Leyland, PR25 3NR
Literature
Preston Historical Society meet and invite speakers to talk about the city's past. Venue; Central Methodist Church, Lune Street at 7.15pm on Mondays monthly. Contact Carol Dutchman-Smith, 242 Sandown Court, Preston PR13UQ
Preston Poets' Society Forum for the enjoyment of poetry. Members are encouraged to compose their own poems and read and comment on members' work. Venue; Prescap Arts & Media Centre, Fox Street, PR1 2AB at 7.30pm 1st Thursdays monthly. Contact Dorothy Nelson, 16 Greenslate Avenue, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9LG (01257 254331) dnelson48@blueyonder.co.uk.
Music
BMA Music and Performing Art Academy Rachel Griffiths, 506-508 Garstang Road, Broughton, Preston, PR3 5HE
Company of Voyces chamber choir perform sacred, secular, ancient and modern music and previously known as the County Hall Singers. Venue; St. John's Minster, Church Street at 12.30pm Thursdays. Contact Jean Miller, 46 Janice Drive, Fulwood, PR2 9TY (01772 718064) alexandermiller32@ btinternet.com.
Cre8 Theatre combines both singing and dancing with a cast of talented young adults in either performance or dinner cabaret. Contact Eric Rigby, 79 Lansdown Hill, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 3UX (07759 065966). eric.rigby @btopenworld.com.
Fame: School of the Arts Acting, singing, dancing, ballet, tap, jazz, street and break for 6 to 16 years old. Venue; Top Floor, 75 Moor Lane, PR1 1JQ at 10am Saturdays. Contact Joe Martin 32 Richmond House, Preston PR1 3XN
Guild Horns Mrs B McLaren, 28 Beech Grove, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, PR2 1DX
Lancashire Sinfonietta Professional orchestra with Lancashire musicians performing concerts & workshops. Contact Fiona Sinclair, c/o Lancashire Adult Learning, PO Box 61, West House, County Hall, PR1 8RJ Box Office: 01257 516441 info@bluefroguk.com (07967 091327).
Find your Voice Learn and improve your singing in a group. Contact Joyce Tindsley, 280 Liverpool Road South, Burscough, L40 7TD (01704 893230).
Galloways Community Choir Community based choir of all ages and experience with the aim to support the visually impaired. Venue; Galloway's Society for the Blind, Howick House, Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham, PR1 0LS at 9.30am Mondays. Contact Shelagh Bindloss, 53 Beechway, Penwortham, PR1 0XS (01772 749591) bindy1@talktalk.net.
Preston Cecilian Choral Society Members study, learn and perform a wide range of choral music. Venue; St. Augustine's School Hall, St. Austin's Place, PR1 3YJ at 7.30pm Mondays. Contact Martin Cassell 64 Cherry Wood, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0PJ
Preston Concert Band A wind band who perform in public regularly. Venue; St. Augustine's Church Hall, Weston Street, Ashton, PR2 2QE at 7.00pm Thursdays. Contact Graham Hickey, 347 Watling Street Road, Fulwood, PR2 6XY (01772 654438 or 0752 535 2891) ghickey@composemusic.co.uk.
Preston Flute Group A small group that rehearses for concerts and is available to play at events. Venue; Woodplumpton at 7.30pm Fridays fortnightly. Contact Robert Rainford, 23 West Crescent, Barton (01772 861105).
Preston Gilbert & Sullivan Society Stages at least one of the Savoy Operettas every year at The Playhouse and has a concert season too. Venue; St. Michael's Church Hall, Tulketh Road, Ashton at 7.45pm Tuesdays. Contact Sue Hurrell, 23 Ennerdale Close, Leyland, PR25 3BE (01772 454774).
Preston Musical Comedy Society stages traditional & modern musicals with a large cast & orchestra at the Charter Theatre. Venue; Harris Primary School, Wychnor, off Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood at 7.30pm Mondays & Thursdays. Contact Brian Lawson, 3 Severn House, Samuel Street, PR1 4YL (01772 798734) or (07754 954948) brianlawson11@btopenworld.com.
Preston Opera Since 1967 the society has presented staged productions of grand opera and to stage these productions it needs singers, instrumentalists, scenic and costume makers. Venue; Carey Baptist Church Centre, Pole Street at 7.30pm Thursdays. Contact Barbara Walsh, Albion House, Cumeragh Lane, Whittingham, PR3 2AL (01772 784578) admin@longridgeteachingcentre.co.uk.
Preston Orpheus Choir Formed in 1929, the choir meets, rehearses and performs choral music to the public. Venue; St. Pius School, 200 Garstang Road, Fulwood at 7.45pm Tuesdays. Contact Mrs S Boothman, 89 Alderfield, Penwortham, PR1 9HA
Preston Recorded Music Society Meet and listen to lectures and talk about all kinds of music and words recorded on disc. Venue; St. George's Hall, Lune Street at 7.30pm Fridays. Contact Stuart Sillitoe, 37 Holme Slack Lane, PR1 6EX (01772 705220) or (07821378688) stuartsillitoe@tiscali.co.uk.
Rawstorne Singers meet, socialise and perform the best of choral music in all kinds of venues. Venue; St Ambrose Church Hall, Moss Lane, Leyland, PR25 4XA at 7.30pm Wednesdays. Contact Alison King, 90 Bow Lane, Leyland, PR25 4YB (01772 462202).
Red Rose Chorus (Preston Harmony Singers). Venue; BACEE Social Club, Riverside, South Meadow Lane, at 7.45pm Thursdays. Contact Paul Sutton, 1 Rossall Road, Lytham St Anne's, FY8 4ES (01253 738333).
Visual Arts
Fired4u Pottery painting and ceramics. Contact Jane Fox, 15-17 Hennel Lane, Walton-le-Dale, Preston PR5 4LA (01772 203060).
Preston Art Society Encourages the enjoyment, appreciation & practice of the visual arts with talks and workshops. Venue; Queens Drive Primary School, Black Bull Lane, Fulwood at 6.45pm Tuesdays fortnightly & workshops at 1pm 3rd Saturdays monthly. Contact Pam Potter, 47 Lower Bank Road, Fulwood, PR2 8NT (01772 718144) pampotter2003@aol.com.
Preston Cardmakers meet to make and decorate greetings cards sharing experiences and ideas. Venue; Ashton Methodist Church, Wellington Road, Ashton-on-Ribble at 1.30pm 3rd Wednesdays monthly & 7pm 1st Wednesdays monthly. Contact Kath Derbyshire, 23 Winfield Lane, Ashton, PR2 1NQ (01772 463670) or (01772 555512) kcderbyshire@aol.com.
Preston Embroiderers Guild promotes embroidery and related crafts, both contemporary and historical, and has visiting tutors demonstrate and assist members in the art of stitching. Venue; Christ Church Hall, Victoria Road, Fulwood at 10am-4pm 1st Saturdays monthly (Young Embroiderers Group at 10am-12.30pm). Contact Marie Brown, 67 Sulby Drive, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 6RR
Preston Lacemakers Now 20 years old, the self-help group meets and hold workshops, invites speakers, visits lace days and exhibitions. Venue; United Reformed Church Hall, Liverpool Road, Penwortham at 10am - 4pm 1st Saturdays monthly. Contact Mrs D Derbyshire 231 Brindle Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston PR5 6YL
Preston Movie Makers Open to anyone interested in individual and group video film making from beginner to advanced and holds talks, competitions and social nights. Venue; Galloway Hall, 131 Brackenbury Road, Fulwood, PR2 3BS at 7.30pm Thursdays. Contact Mr R Logsdon, 46 Hornby Drive, Newton, Preston PR4 3SU
Preston Photographic Society Formed in 1905 and is open to all interested from amateur to professional and holds talks, competitions, practical portrait evenings and has visiting speakers. Venue; Conservative Club, Blackpool Road, Fulwood, PR2 3AE at 7.45pm Thursdays. Contact Mick Rawcliffe, 82 Janice Drive, Fulwood, PR2 9TY (01772 712898) or (07711 214701) or Pam Guy (01772 436698) info@prestonphotographicsociety.org or mick@rawcliffe.me.uk
