About The Petherton Arts Trust (P.A.T.)

WHO WE ARE

The Petherton Arts Trust is a non-profit making organisation.

It was formed in 1986 and registered as a Charity in 1990 – reg charity no 900637.

Our headquarters and venue are in the David Hall, South Petherton. Somerset.

WHAT WE DO

We have two main objectives.

To provide a wide range of high-quality entertainment and arts-based events for the benefit of both the local community and audiences from the wider region.
To maintain and improve our beautiful old (grade 2 listed) building which is in the heart of the village.

HOW WE DO IT

The Hall now receives no external revenue funding whatsoever. It costs us about £38,000 a year to run the venue (before artists fees). Box office profits alone are not sufficient to run the hall, so a considerable amount of our activity involves fundraising. We always need more cash! The hall is managed by an unpaid 'Board of Trustees' who meet monthly.

The Trust now has less than one (equivalent) paid post. Thirty hours a week are job-shared by three part-time staff – Emma, our programme manager; Anne who looks after the administration and Penny who does our PR. Everybody else involved with the running of the hall – taking your tickets, supervising events, serving behind the bar, fundraising etc. are unpaid volunteers.

WHY WE DO IT

Because we love being involved in providing live entertainment, music, drama and some of the best films around. We believe that it's essential to encourage and support both new and established performers in an increasingly bland and unexciting world of entertainment. It's miles better than watching television and a great way of making new friends.

We also think that it would be a desperate shame if such a historic building were to be either converted into flats, commercial usage or left to rot.

WHEN WE DO IT

Whenever we can.

We try to offer films on a fortnightly basis on a Friday evening, live music at least once a fortnight, usually on a Saturday, and other varied entertainments such as quiz nights, ceilidhs, talks, drama and dance performances as and when we can organise them. Some volunteers can only help out for a couple of hours a week. Others do much more. All skills are required and appreciated, both manual and professional. If you want to be involved, we can always find a job for you.