Trim drama and musical groups left without a home

Trim Musical Society and Trim Drama Group were planning to make their presence felt at last night's (Tuesday) Trim Town Council meeting after a report on the town hall deemed it no longer safe to stage their productions. "Trim Musical Society has had its home in the Town Hall for many years," said Gwen Bagnall of Trim Musical Society. "Just last week, we heard that we can not use the hall stage for the season ahead. This was conveyed with no prior warning. Needless to say, we are pretty much in limbo at the moment." She added that the situation was "more than serious for us. It is a matter of survival of the society or not." The gathering at the September monthly meeting of the local town council is intended to highlight the need for a dedicated theatre in the town rather than to intimidate, stress the organisers. However, Ms Bagnall admitted: "It's not looking good." She said: "We have planned to be at the council meeting and outside it as well, hopefully in great numbers, which should give it the urgency it needs." Kevin Shelly from Trim Drama Group said the news had come "out of the blue. No warning". He added: "Obviously, the loss of this venue would be dramatic for the groups and for the town and local community - excuse the pun. It is the artistic, dramatic and musical hub for Trim. "Looking ahead, from November 2011 to May 2012, the venue would have hosted two Trim Drama Group productions (in November and April), the pantomime (December), the musical production (March) and the Stagecraft production (set for May, involving kids between six and 15-years-old). "The groups are gathering at the Trim Council Office, Mornington House, Summerhill Road, to express their interest and support for either getting the town hall repaired and fit for use again, or a new theatre," Mr Shelly said.