A Brief History In Time
1852 The Chesham –Temperance Society paid £152 for two cottages in Church Street.
1886 The Temperance Society bought the adjoining cottage, the former town lock-up, this is now the kitchen. Cost of purchase was £77 1958 Chesham Urban District Council bought the Temperance Hall from the Temperance Society and agreed to a “restrictive covenant†to prevent sale of intoxicating liquors on the premises 1974 The Chesham Urban District Council transferred ownership of the Temperance Hall to the new Chesham Town Council subject to the existing covenant 1983 On 10th October a 21 year lease for the Temperance Hall was signed between Chesham Town Council and Trustees on behalf of Chesham Bois Catholic Players. The founding Trustees were Peter Curtis, John Ellis, Jack Frame and Mike O´Toole. John Ellis and Jack Frame sadly passed away and were replaced by Richy Byrne and Tina Pearce. In time, Richy Byrne joined Jack and John. Over the years, on the ground floor, the existing outbuildings were demolished to make way for new toilets, a foyer, a refurbished kitchen and green room A new first floor was added above the new extension comprising a work area and dressing room. Storage for costumes, stage and technical equipment was created by lowering the existing ceiling. 2003 The Temperance Hall was eventually re-furbished and the name changed to The Little Theatre by the Park. On 15th December the Chesham Town Council agreed to re-new the lease to the Trustees for a further 21 years.
Mike O´Toole stood down as a Trustee and their number was augmented with the appointment of Mary Curtis, Steve Hamberger, John Paul Murphy and Frans Van Den Berg. 2010 The new lighting rig was installed. A cast kitchen was added to the facilities upstairs 2012 Further refurbishment saw new Ladies and disabled toilet facilities, including baby-changing facilities. The foyer was updated to include a Box Office and display facilities.
|