Brentwood Arts Council

a history by Bruce Pennick

Brentwood Arts Council was brought into existence, through Brentwood Civic Society, to fill a perceived need to co-ordinate and encourage the artistic endeavours of individuals and groups within the area. A committee was formed, officers elected, interested parties were invited to join, a constitution approved and charitable status obtained.

In October 1970 a meeting was arranged between committee members of BAC, including the President, Col. Robert Tong, Chairman, Bryan Lang, John Hutton, David Poynton and Shirley Meredeen, and members of the Brentwood Urban District Council Town Centre Development Committee. Objectives of the meeting included the establishment of 'a responsible and trusting relationship between both sides' and discussion of short- and long-term needs of member societies and the community at large. There was optimism that the acquisition of Old House might go some way to satisfying the former, whilst the provision of a theatre, though very desirable, 'might be delayed in view of urgent basic needs such as roads, and sewage for the newly developed residential areas.

In the early years the BAC Committee was pro-active in organising public events and helping co-ordinate other combined events. Public concerts were organised, given by artistes including the London Student Chorale, St. George's Canzona, Hanover Chamber Orchestra, John LiIl (twice) Peter Frankl, Julian Lloyd Webber, New York Pro Arte Chorale, the Gabrieli Consort, the Ian Campbell Folk Group, Jake Thackray, Humphrey Lyttleton (twice), Instant Sunshine and the Monty Sunshine band.

Home-grown performances included Carmina Burana with combined BAC choirs and the Essex Youth Orchestra at the College of Education, a Gala Concert to celebrate the opening of the Brentwood Centre in 1989, a combination of operatic and choral societies to perform Porgy & Bess, Berlioz' Requiem, and the grand Millennium Concert.

Brentwood Youth Orchestra was one of the early creations of the Music Group, encouraged by BAC Treasurer, John Bishop. It continued to provide challenging opportunities for talented young musicians of the locality for more than 25 years commissioning a concerto from Essex composer Gordon Jacob to celebrate its tenth birthday. Also in the early years there were monthly recitals at Old House, lunch-time concerts and very popular Singing Days.

Other sub-committees organised Arts Festivals, exhibitions and displays of members' activities and a continuing art exhibition at Old House. The Drama Group was responsible for Theatre Workshops and Drama Open House at Old House and outings to professional productions as well as Brentwood Youth Theatre. Personalities invited to Brentwood by BAC have included Douglas Adams, Roy Plomley, Christina Foyle, Richard Baker and Malcolm Williamson, who conducted one of the Festival concerts.

In fulfilling its function as provider of backing for member societies BAC responded to the ludicrous situation of three local drama groups choosing the same date to perform (two choosing the same play!) by introducing an anti-clash diary, which was operated for many years from Old House. A Notice Board to advertise members' activities was established originally at Bon Marché, which closed, then in the precinct, where it was vandalised and finally, after years of negotiation with the Council, in its present position outside the Post Office.

A monthly BAC Newsletter containing a diary of members' activities was circulated during the first 20 years, then superseded by the Town Diary and Arts Update. A Directory of Local Musicians was produced for the mutual benefit of those musicians and any society in need of their services. A Music Library was established at Old House, together with a selection of lighting and sound equipment for use by member groups. Costumes originally owned by the Festival Players were deposited at Old House as a common resource.

Competitions were organised for poetry, musical compositions, drama scripts and various kinds of art, while there were many memorable social occasions, held at Merrymeade, Gilstead Hall (by kind invitation of Col. Robert Tong) and at Old House. More recently a competition to provide an artistic focal point for the Borough resulted in an imaginative design by Carol Bentley for a sculpture called Time Travellers'. This still awaits funding.

For some years a major BAC preoccupation was with the provision of a theatre for Brentwood. Funds from Brentwood's own Lottery were donated by the Council, various plans were discussed, including a combined Library and Theatre, before the Council withdrew its support. This resulted in the formation by BAC of Brentwood Theatre Trust, which then became a separate body. The disappointing failure of all their efforts to raise significant financial backing resulted in a building which has eventually become a success on its own terms but will never fulfil the ambitions of the original BAC committee. The facilities available at the Sawyers Hall Lane College of Education/University, which successfully accommodated many BAC functions as well as those of member societies, have sadly been destroyed with nothing to replace them.

It has to be admitted that most of these activities were achieved as the result of the enthusiasm of a relatively small group of people, who worked hard to gain the cooperation of somewhat reluctant participants, who themselves understandably tended to devote their main energies to their individual interests.

At the inaugural meeting in 1970 mentioned above Bruce Pennick was asked to represent local musical interests. He subsequently became chairman of the Music SubCommittee which promoted many of the above musical activities. He discontinued this connection during the 1980s when for a time BAC seemed bent on conflict with the Council rather than cooperation. He was asked to take on the Music Group again later in the decade under the Chairmanship of David Bryant.

The Chairmanship of Brentwood Arts Council has passed through several hands, often briefly. Bruce declined nomination at an early stage, preferring to concentrate on musical matters, but after three years he succeeded David Bryant as Chairman. He was made a Vice President in 2001 on relinquishing the Chair.

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