Celebrate Kingshill 'jewel' (From Gazette Series)

Celebrate Kingshill 'jewel'

THIS year marks the 300th anniversary of Kingshill House, a Grade II listed Georgian house in the heart of Dursley, now one of the town's principal arts and entertainment venues. Gazette reporter Sarah Carless talked to arts co-ordinator Jill Frank about the house and the celebrations planned for next month not only to mark the anniversary but also to encourage the people of the district to make more use of this gem on their doorstep

IN 1705 Thomas Purnell purchased Kingshill House, in Dursley, from the King family and established it as a late 18th century gabled mansion.

Over the years the house passed through many hands until is was bought by the engineering company R A Lister, which built houses on most of the land but gave the house itself to Dursley RDC under covenant and it was used as council offices.

The council moved out in the early 1980s and it was boarded up until 1990 when a group of local volunters leased it from Stroud District Council, refurbished it and turned it into an arts venue for the whole community.

Today it is still run by the volunteers of the charity Kingshill House Ltd with help from a handful of salaried staff.

The extensive refurbishment of the building has continued and in recent years a lift has been installed, providing disabled access to all public areas. There is now also a new arts studio, ideal for classes and exhibitions, and a new lounge and bar area.

The elegant public rooms in the house are currently used by the community for purposes as wide ranging as small meetings or conferences, dance classes and full-blown wedding receptions.

But arts co-ordinator Jill Frank feels people of the district are still not aware of what a jewel they have in their midst and she is hoping that the weekend activities organised to celebrate the anniversary next weekend will bring in a host of new admirers and, more importantly, users of Kingshill House.

"Kingshill House is a hidden gem in Dursley," she said. "The hardest thing is to make the people realise we are here.

"What we are trying to do is tell people we are here for the whole community - that is the whole purpose of the house."

The weekend of activities for all the family will be held from July 8-10, to coincide with Dursley Town Festival.

The celebrations will start with the opening of the annual art exhibition, open 10am-4pm on both days and will then continue until later in the month.

To get the celebrations off to a friendly start on Friday evening, July 8, the new bar will be opened by Gazette editor Skip Walker at 7.30pm, followed by an evening of entertainment with the Fabulous Old Spot Theatre Company.

The doors open at 6.30pm and everyone in the community is not only welcome but urged to come to this event which is free and informal.

Other activities planned for the weekend include the Stinchcombe Quilters, artist Sheena Maynard, arts and crafts workshops for adults and children and Gloucestershire Dance workshops. In the grounds there will be juggling, a bouncy castle, skittles and many other activities.

Events planned at Kingshill House for later in the year include a poetry night, the JB Jazz Band, Classic Delight II as well as the popular art demonstrations.

"We are really pleased with how these art demonstrations have gone. But Kingshill House is not just about art," said Mrs Frank, adding however that the new arts studio and even other rooms in the house are perfect as an exhibition space for local artists, many of whom already use the house for this purpose and the number is increasing.

Theatre groups have also proved very popular at the house where there is a seating capacity of 60 and a warm and intimate atmosphere.

"A lot of people say how good it is because they can see and hear everything that goes on," said Mrs Frank. "I think it makes a welcoming atmosphere for everybody.

"Once people come here and see what it is like they fall in love with it." "We hope people will come with their family and join us in our 300th celebrations and have a very enjoyable and fun weekend."

For more information of the celebration weekend call Kingshill House on 01453 549133 or email admin@kingshillhouse.org.uk.