The Committee of The Friend’s of St John’s – the closed church near Lancaster’s bus station – have formed their own drama group named the St John’s Occasionals.
St John’s has long been established as a concert venue and since April 2009 has widened the nature of events that it hosts, which have included lectures, exhibitions and fairs for local charities such as Animal Care. Any monies raised directly benefit either the upkeep of St John’s and/or other charities.
Now, the St John’s Occasionals has launched – an enthusiastic bunch of volunteer amateur actors and singers who have worked very hard on their musical “Wartime Memories”, which will be performed on Saturday 23rd January at 7.30pm.
Further Concerts will be performed by the Occasionals during the summer with proceeds being donated to local charities.
“Support for St John’s and its events will ensure the survival of this historic building and benefit the wider community,” says Occasional’s Mandy Holten.
The efforts to make good use of St. John’s are part of the work of the Churches Conservation Trust, the national charity conserving England ’s most beautiful and historic churches which are no longer needed for regular worship. It promotes public enjoyment of these churches, and encourages their use as an educational and community resource. It currently cares for some 340 churches.
• Information about the Trust’s work and all its churches is on the website www.visitchurches.org.uk