Tewkesbury's Watson Hall could be on its way to a new lighting and sound system

There is a possibility of a new lighting and sound system being on the cards for Watson Hall Tewkesbury, due to receiving a £30,000 grant from Gloucestershire Environmental Trust. Gloucestershire Environmental Trust provides grants for environmental projects in the county from money which is generated by the Landfill Communities Fund. At a town council meeting, Councillor Chuck Pavey said that the grant will help go towards the cost of getting much needed equipment installed in the Barton Street hall.

He mentioned that the work would cost roughly £33,000 although hopes that when speaking to contractors, that they will agree to do it for less. He said: “The lights system has been there since the 1950s. We consider it dangerous, actually. It’s virtually inoperable.” Some members that attended the meeting had shared the enthusiasm which Mr. Pavey had showed.

However, others disagreed with the idea saying that the grant did not specify that it had to be used on the lighting and sound system for the hall. The final agreement was that the council would accept the grant not ruled that the buildings committee should first check on any finer detailer before considering the way forward. After the meeting had taken place, Mr. Pavey along with the help of the Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum, of which he is a director, mentioned that he was delighted to have secured the grant saying – “It’s a wonderful thing for the hall and for the town.”

The Manor Players amateur dramatics group stage two shows per year in the hall. Bob Gough, the stage manager said he was “absolutely delighted” at the news that the lighting and sound may be improved.  He went on to say, “The lighting is archaic, in fact we can’t use it most of the time. We borrow or hire in lighting instead. It’s well overdue and it’s brilliant what Chuck’s done.” In a letter to the Tewkesbury Echo, town residents Colin and Kitty Mullinder said, “that they were aware of the hard work Mr Pavey had put in on the hall and they hoped he would continue to do so.”