President’s Report 2025 AGM

I am pleased to present my first report as President of Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council.

I still feel somewhat like a duck out of water in this role and suspect that I have not provided sufficient support to Jenny and Charlie.

I don’t propose to cover details that are more appropriately dealt with by others, rather a few broad-brush comments.

Firstly, the arts scene in Gloucester seems to be robust as evidenced by: the Gloucester Gallery, theatrical productions and a variety of musical offerings from Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council; the Craven Creek Music Festival which goes from strength to strength; the Gloucester Creatives which is buzzing, and the opening of a new gallery.

If my experience is any guide, these are also attractions for visitors to Gloucester.  Throughout the year I have had several friends visit Gloucester to attend productions and invariably, without prompting from me, they have found their way to both the Gallery and the Creatives.

Secondly, the highlight of the year for me was the 25th anniversary celebration of the Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council.  The evening was well supported and a great success, both as recognition and celebration of what has been achieved and a springboard to ensure that the organisation remains strong and vibrant for the next 25 years.

Secondly, the highlight of the year for me was the 25th anniversary celebration of the Gloucester Arts and Cultural Council.  The evening was well supported and a great success, both as recognition and celebration of what has been achieved and a springboard to ensure that the organisation remains strong and vibrant for the next 25 years.

Image by Rachel Saunders

Thirdly, our major challenge is to get more people actively involved in the organisation, particularly a younger cohort.  This is a problem facing all community-based organisations and unfortunately, there is no easy solution.

Finally, some words of thanks:

- to those members of our community who support the arts in its various forms;

- to those volunteers who keep the Gallery open or assist in other ways;

- to those who joined the productions either as directors, actors or technicians;

- to all the committee members, and in particular;

   Secretary, Jenny Lindsay who is the glue that sticks all the threads together; 

Wendy Buswell who has lifted the professionalism of the productions which has attracted new players, technicians and audience and who is conducting theatre workshops for young people which has the potential to help address the major challenge referred to above; and

Arts Administrator and Treasurer, Charlie Lethbridge who does so much of the heavy lifting across the full range of our activities.

Graeme Healy

Welcome to the 2026 Committee

Graeme Healy   - President

Jenny Lindsay   - Secretary

Paul Armstrong - Treasurer

Wendy Buswell

James Hooke

Nigel Horden

Charlie Lethbridge (Arts Administrator)