Ware Arts Centre

In the 1980s my son, Neil and I spent a lot of time working with a community drama group based in one small section of the Ware Arts Centre, formally a very large maltings with store rooms, drying rooms etc. In recent years the whole building has been restored for community use.

In the 80s we put on plays and reviews. I did a lot of acting, teenage Neil did technical support. Yesterday Neil, Sandi and I met up with some of that original group of actors. After a drink and a chat in a lovely new pub that used to be the offices of Swiss Travel we were treated to a guided tour of the whole of the revamped maltings (see extras). By chance the guy who unlocked the building for us went to secondary school with Neil. So they had some catching up to do too! The two shots taken inside the building were in ruins in 1980s...no proper roofing, dangerous floors and walls.

Most of the people in the blip live in Ware or locally. Neil and I were the ones who moved away. But within seconds of greeting them we felt as if we had never been apart. What a lovely afternoon! To be repeated, I hope!

This photo was taken by Sandi.