The Minehead and West Somerset Arts Society was started almost 55 years ago, and its aim is “to promote the advancement of learning and in particular a knowledge and love of the arts”.

This has been achieved in recent years by organising concerts of classical music in local venues, and by arranging trips to plays, operas, ballets and concerts in venues as far afield as Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth.

The members from Minehead and the surrounding area have shown their appreciation by supporting these events with enthusiasm.

However, for several years now the society has been having difficulty in recruiting new members to the committee, and the current committee members have grown steadily older.

Our secretary, who has been responsible for booking the artists whose performances we have all enjoyed so much, is now planning to move away to be nearer family elsewhere in the country.

No one else on the committee feels confident that they have the knowledge and experience to take over that work.

If anyone feels that they are able to fulfil that role and would like to take over the arrangements, starting with the 2019–20 season, please contact me as soon as possible on 01984 639261 . It would be necessary to start preparatory work in the second half of this year.

If there is anyone out there with administrative skills and a love of classical music who would like to help to keep the society to continue to fulfil its aims, please, please get in touch!

Liz Murphy, Acting Chairman, Minehead and West Somerset Arts Society.