Thursday happenings.

Good news if you are a Keith Richards and Rolling Stones fan as he appears to be on the mend after his fall from a tree in Fiji. The fall resulted in a blow to the head and complications followed leading to major surgery. Richards was discharged from hospital yesterday in New Zealand but will remain there to recuperate.

The band's European tour was due to start at the end of May but has been rescheduled into June.

Events today in South Somerset & West Dorset
Smith 'n' Moore @ Harry's Bar, Yeovil
Jam Night @ Antelope, Crewkerne
Sarah Yeo @ Phoenix Hotel, Chard
Crosswired @ Choughs Hotel, Chard

Events today in Taunton & Bridgwater
Chikinki & Luscious Rikys @ Aura, Taunton
Intoto Dance @ Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton


MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THE DAVID HALL!
NATIONAL LOTTERY GRANT MEANS PATRONS WILL SOON BE 'SITTING PRETTY'


South Petherton's David Hall has received further good news!

The National Lottery's Awards for All programme is providing a grant of £5,000 for Petherton Arts Trust (PAT) to provide more comfortable seating in this popular performing arts venue.

Announcing this latest piece of good news, Andrea MacLauchlan, PAT Manager, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that our application has been successful. As Patrons know, the heating has been improved, and with new chairs - which we hope will be in place by the start of our autumn programme in September - the Hall will be more welcoming and accommodating for our Patrons."

Mrs MacLauchlan added: "We have already ordered samples of several different types of stackable chairs and will choose the most comfortable that our Awards for All grant of £5,000 will allow." The David Hall seats 130 people and it is hoped that this will eventually increase to 160.

Meanwhile, on Saturday (6th May), an Auction of Items & Promises raised a further £1,700 towards the Save The David Hall campaign.

PAT member Tony Charman, who was also auctioneer for the night, reports: "It was a terrific evening, with some superb and varied items for auction and an audience of supporters who did not hold back on their bids. We are delighted with the generosity of everyone involved both item donors, and those who came to bid. This was yet another sign of how much local people want the Hall to continue to provide its regular programme of music and drama, as well as offering a public space for a wide range of activities that benefit the community as a whole."

PAT needs to raise £250,000 in all to refurbish, redecorate and upgrade facilities in the building, which already accommodates numerous daytime groups and classes - including belly dancing, line dancinng, drama and yoga - as well as PAT's own programme of folk, roots and acoustic music and the fortnightly Petherton Picture Show.

The Editor