about us

The Society usually meets on the 3rd Friday of each month (2nd Friday in December) from September to June
at:

The Methodist Church
New Road
Shipston-on-Stour
Warwickshire

starting at 7.30pm

It was in 1989 that a public meeting was held in the Townsend Hall, Shipston-on-Stour to consider the possibility of forming a music society in the town. The idea was formulated by Bill Spencer, a recent dynamic and enthusiastic new-comer to the town.

There was considerable support for the creation of what became known as the Shipston Music Society, which held meetings at Shipston High School with a starting membership of more than 80 members.

By September 1991, when the Society's second AGM was held, a strong Committee had been formed. Annual programmes were very varied, including concerts given by young people from schools as far away as Worcester, talks, instrumental and vocal recitals, seasonal entertainment, ancient to modern music. Speakers and performers alike were frequently well-known people in their field, who were often known to Bill Spencer and who were pleased to support a small-town, lively Society.

In 1996 Bill Spencer, founder of the Society, died and over the next few years, there were many changes on the Committee, attendances were relatively low, the number of outings was reduced and several people began to voice concerns about the Society's finances with events like coffee mornings held to raise funds.

By 1997 the Society moved its meetings to the Methodist Church Hall, the School hall being too cavernous for small, friendly meetings.
Membership had fallen to 43, with an average attendance of 29.
In 1999, membership was on the increase again and there was a good social spirit grew amongst members. There were fewer outings than in the past, but these were well supported. The Society continued to hold funds raising events in addition to its usual programme

Two years later, in May 2001, the chairman of the Society called an Extraordinary General Meeting voicing concern for the future of the Society. Funding meetings were proving difficult and the changes to Committee membership through resignations meant it was difficult to maintain continuity in the aims of the Society.

A second Special General Meeting was arranged for November 2001, at which various suggestions were discussed to ensure that the Society would continue to function for at least the remainder of the year and a majority of the members attending this meeting voted in favour. By the end of this season, members had enjoyed a good range of music at the monthly meetings, and outings to Warwick and Birmingham for concerts proved successful.

Under the Chairmanship of Martyn Holden, the Society flourished. He was keen that the Society should 'offer music, knowledge and above all friendship' to its members. This new lease of life given to the Society really did result in an increase in membership, which in turn generated more funds for a wider variety of live music in its programme and by June 2009 membership reached 109.

In June 2009, in the midst of organisation for celebrating the Anniversary year's special events, Martyn Holden the chairman died unexpectedly. He always seemed to be extraordinarily dynamic, hard-working, well-organised, punctilious, and yet apparently relaxed, so that anyone who had contact with him wanted to support him. Fortunately, he drew a strong Committee around him, so the Society continues to flourish.

A SHORT HISTORY OF SHIPSTON MUSIC SOCIETY