Following the latest relaxation of the Government’s Covid rules it is now possible for some public events to take place at the Riverside, albeit with reduced audience numbers, social-distancing and very strict risk assessments being carried out by individual organisers. Progressively we will be seeing the resumption of the larger activities, with Jazz leading the way in September. Others groups, such as drama, comedy nights and quizzes, concerts, music exams and cinema are at present assessing the viability and practicality of staging events.
Meanwhile many of our smaller groups are aiming to resume some meetings from September onwards. Sunbury Poetry Group are planning to meet on September 3rd and the new Ballero Ballroom and Sequence dance classes are due to start on 10th September. The following day 11th September sees another new venture, the Riverside Instrumental Ensemble, who welcome players of orchestral instruments.
There are of course still many online events, such as Riverside Arts Jazz streamed concerts, and play readings from Riverside Players, plus various dance, pilates, keep fit, music and other special interest groups offering some form of online involvement.
Behind the scenes lots of work has gone on, both in putting in place new procedures and protection because of the Coronavirus, as well as the redecorating of most of the public areas, including the main hall, the coffee bar, the main bar and the dressing rooms. Administratively the Annual General Meeting of the Riverside Arts Centre brought about no surprises with the officers, led by James Ford Bannister as Chairman, being re-elected. There was a serious plea at the meeting for more volunteers to keep the Riverside Arts Centre at the heart of the village community. Anyone with a few hours to spare each week, month or year could find a task to suit individual talents. For a good many years the Spelthorne and Runnymede Drama Festival has been held in October at Riverside, but not this year. Instead the organisers are arranging an online festival with the emphasis on unpublished shorter sketches or monologues up to 10 minutes duration, and already there is considerable interest in this venture. Details at www.spelthornerunnymededramafestival.co.uk
One casualty of the virus has been the Sun-bury Yoga and Hermeneutics Society who have cancelled all bookings at the Riverside for 2020. A firm supporter of the Centre for 23 years, principal Keith Owen says “Since ‘lockdown’ all our sessions have gone out on Skype. It has been so successful, (based on our own standards) increasing both numbers of attendees and the amount of sessions per week; a trend that is growing.
Recently, an important book “Shout it from the Rooftops” by Lizzie Emery by Hope Books, tells of one woman’s determination and faith in dealing with pancreatic cancer. Although in the beginning the prognosis was terminal, some eight years later the lady has now returned to full health. Much of this work was practiced and developed at the RAC, and although we have been involved in the notion and application of ‘self-healing’ techniques for over fifty years, this is the first time we have allowed our involvement to be known in a book, which is available from YPD Books, price £8.99
Just about all of our groups have been keep-ing their particular interests alive whether by streaming, Zoom-ing, emailing or even telephoning.
To keep up to date with the latest happenings go to www.riversidearts.co.uk where you can view “Events” under the ‘What can I go and see’ tab or “Activities” under the ‘What can I join ?’ tab.
In case of difficulty call 01784 452589