Prior to moving to the Gloucester Road Studios in November 1986, Kelvin had operated continuously since 1954 from "a room over three garages in Somerset Street, Kingsdown" purchased by the then Chairman Ernie Morris and initially rented to the club for the sum of £50 per annum. In 1981 Ernie generously agreed to sell the Somerset Street studios to Kelvin. Following a structural survey and site valuation the decision was taken in 1983 that the much loved Somerset Street studios should be sold and new premises found.

A Premises Purchases Committee headed by Norman Crick, after inspecting many redundant buildings, reported that a Methodist Church and Hall in Gloucester Road, Bishopston were on the market. In the event Kelvin made an offer for the Hall and Bristol School of Gymnastics for the Church. The Somerset Street Studios were sold in 1985 and a fund raising committee set about raising money for essential repairs to the new studios. Since the purchase of the Gloucester Road Studios, £176.3k has been spent on this refurbishment, the largest sums being £40,000 for re-roofing in 2002 and £28,500 on window replacement in 2006. The money does not include members' time and effort in carrying out many projects and tasks. No grants or funding have been received and there are no paid employees.

But it would be a mistake to think that Kelvin is all about the buildings. It is what goes on in them where the real Kelvin spirit lives and thrives. As Kelvin celebrates eighty years since its founding in 1929, the company notched up its 200th production with the first play in 2009, although there have been many more public and club presentations than that.

As for the future, that depends very much on how the membership rises to the twin demands of continuing to stage worthwhile productions in a variety of different forms whilst at the same time adopting an approach that enables the Gloucester Road premises not only to be able to function on a day to day basis but also to develop and rise to the challenges facing the production of plays as the 21st century progresses.

For those interested in learning more about the Kelvin Players, there are still copies of a 176 page book chronicling the fortunes of the company - Kelvin Players Theatre Company - a History by Richard Jones, at £5.00 each plus £2 p&p, giving the whole story from its beginnings in 1929 when productions were staged in church halls through to 2004 when Kelvin celebrated 75 years of existence, performing plays in its own studio theatre in addition to other theatre venues in the City.

For further details contact the Membership Secretary.

June 2009