The history of WADS

WADS in its present incarnation was founded in 1958 and staged its first play - Jean McConnell’s Haul for the Shore - the following year

There were two productions in 1960 - Down Came a Blackbird, by Peter Blackmore and For Pete's Sake by Leslie Sands

The two production in 1961 were Quiet Weekend, by Esther Cracken and Night Must Fall, by Emlyn Williams

WADS staged two shows in 1962. Honey-Pot by Helen and Edward V Hoile (clearly an early favourite playwright for WADS) and Bonaventure by Charlotte Hastings

The two productions in 1962 were The Shop at Sly Corner by Edward Percy and Quiet Wedding - another Esther Cracken play

1964 saw performances of The Reluctant Debutante by William Douglas Home and The Late Christopher Bean by Emlyn Williams - again.

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring was the first production of 1965, followed by Home at Seven by RC Sheriff

In 1966, the plays were The Chiltern Hundreds - another William Douglas Home play - and Miranda by Will Gordon. Pictured as a mermaid is Bridget Culley, still a member of WADS

The plays in 1967 were Sailor Beware by Philip King and Falkland Cary and The Farmer’s Wife by Eden Phillpotts. In the latter, Bob Broad was described by the local press as "perfect"

The Hollow by Agatha Christie and Pink String and Sealing Wax by Roland Pertwee made up 1968's offering

WADS staged The Chester Cycle of Miracle Plays, Waters of the Moon by NC Hunter and the triple-bill of the Monkey’s Paw by WW Jacobs, Family Groupe by Mabel Contstanturos and Guilty Generation by Margaret Wood

The two productions in 1970 were Yellow Sands by Eden Phillpots and A Letter from the General by Maurice McLaughlin