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The Society we belong to is the Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society (HIADS) at the Station Theatre |
Our main common interests over the last few years have been:
Our involvement in the Local Theatre.
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The Society we belong to is the Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society (HIADS) at the Station Theatre |
HIADS have a Web-site, and John isone of the Webmasters.
Although we were both very involved with the Theatre, Katie as Chairman, and John as Treasurer, for many years. We have recently taken a step back and curtailed our involvement somewhat, partly to give others a chance and partly so that we can do other things with our lives!
The last play Katie was in was 'Steel Magnolias', a real weepy! She is also the main interface to the local Press.
HIADS are members of the Little
Theatre Guild of Great Britain and, as John is the HIADS representative
to the Guild, we both regularly attend meetings all over Britain. As well as
running the Guild Website, in April 1999 John also became Treasurer of the Little
Theatre Guild.
Seven years ago we both started a two year course at Portsmouth University. This led to a BTec in Restoration and Decoration. More detailed information on the course is available.
We thoroughly enjoyed the course and it gave us many new interests in life. Although we both did the same general subjects we ended up specializing in different areas, Katie mainly in Gilding and Plasterwork, John mainly in Carving and paint finishes. For more information on these, including pictures from our portfolios please browse our individual pages, which can be accessed from the frame on the left.
Since completing the course we have both been involved on and off with activities stemming from it.
In the first place Katie stayed on at Portsmouth, and completed the first year of a degree course in Environmental Design. For various reasons however she felt she could not continue with this and 'dropped out'.
John was invited back to college to teach Carving and more details will be found on his specific pages.
Katie recently had a commission to design the interior of a local Hair-dressing Salon. This was opened in October 1998 and looks lovely.
We have both done small commissions, sometimes working together where our specific skills have been complementary.
Probably one of the greatest benefits that the course gave us was a deep interest in architecture, design and decoration. We love going to stately homes, important buildings, churches etc. and feeling we know what we are looking at, how it was done, and that if required we could probably help restore it!
We both enjoy singing, but somewhat differently. Katie has made singing a career, and has done very well in Cabaret. You can see more on her specific page.
At school, John used to sing with both school and church choirs, but then gave up for many years. About six years ago he joined Hayling Island Choir and sings in most of their concerts. Then about three years later he took an audition for the Portsmouth Choral Union, and luckily was accepted. This is a large (140) choir with very high standards, led by Johnathan Wilcox. We are both going with the PCU to tour eastern Canada in May 2007.
We can both be said to be Francophiles. John lived in Paris for 18
month, and Katie has always wanted to live in France. Some time ago
we got involved with the twinning of Hayling Island and a small town
called Gorron in the Mayenne area of Normandie.
We both now speak French reasonably well, having done some intensive
courses, and trying to immerse ourselves in French conversation when
we can.
Just before the end of 1998 we saw a house for sale in Gorron, on the
Internet! Katie went over to see it and we are now in possession of a
small 18th century town house right in the middle of town. More
information here.
Page last revised 14-2-2007
