HALF a century of performances by a Dursley-based amateur dramatic group and its end have been celebrated simultaneously by its members.

Founded on June 3 1966, the Tabard Players was the brainchild of nine like-minded people who met in the Upper Schoolroom of the Dursley Tabernacle Church.

Now heading towards the end of its 50th year and having lost its stage a few years ago, the group has found it impossible to continue.

However the Tabard Players will live on with the group joining the Uley Players to form the Uley and Tabard Players.

To mark the rebranding, for its next production at the beginning of June, Uley and Tabard Players will perform Love’s a Luxury which was the Tabard Players’ first full length-production when it was performed in 1967.

Prior to that the group had performed a number of one-act productions to much acclaim.

Over the following years the Tabard Players staged more than 70 plays, pantomimes and poetry and music evenings on the 13ft 10ins by 11ft 8ins stage.

With the loss of its stage the group found it impossible to continue but its name will remain after joining forces with Uley Players.

Margaret Wilson, who has been involved with the Tabard Players for about 30 years since joining as a teenager and was its secretary, said that whilst the productions were at the forefront of their work, it was a very social group for its members.

“The Tabard Players was very much a social group, we are all a very friendly bunch, we would go out on trips to the theatre and often meet up.

“It has never just been about the performing.”

There is an opportunity to explore the history of the Tabard Players in more depth at Dursley Heritage Centre which opened its exhibition on the group earlier this week, which will run into July.

Uley and Tabard Players’ Love’s a Luxury will be performed at Uley Village Hall on June 1, 2 and 3. Tickets (£8 each) are available at Uley Village Stores or by calling either 01453 433885 or 861151.