The Annual General Meeting of the Association of Friends of the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre will take place in the Eastgate Theatre's auditorium on Wednesday 30 April 2008 at 7.30 pm.

This is the first full year of the Friends having full financial independence with a separate bank account so it is important that as many Friends as possible attend to ensure the accountablity of the Friends Committee.  Click here to view the Income and Expenditure Account of the past year.  For a copy of the Minutes of the AGM of 2007, click here. (Alternatively, you can click on the actual heading in the left margin.)

This meeting is even more important than usual as we will be discussing the merger of "Friends" and "Members".  The proposed merger will help sort out the confusion that exisits between the 2 organisations and a new merged body will be a stronger force in supporting the Eastgate Theatre.  It is hoped that as many Friends and Members will attend the meeting to ensure the resulting merged organisation represents the majority view. 

A most enjoyable evening of "friendly rivalry" was had by over 100 people who attended our first Quiz Night.  There were 18 teams representing various local groups and it was especially pleasing to have a team of young people supporting their local theatre.

The winning team, "The Magnificent Seven", had a clear lead at the end and their representative can be seen in the picture receiving the "trophy" which was specially designed for "pot-hunters".

The Quiz Night was a fund-raising event and the sum of almost £400 (final figure later) was raised in support of our theatre.  Well done to everyone who attended and to those who helped in the success of the evening.  A special "thank you" to the Easgate Staff team who not only finished a creditable third but also served at the bar before, during and after the event.

Judging by the response from those who attended, this might well become an annual event!

The Friends of the Eastgate support the theatre and have an active interest in the venue and the arts.  Membership costs just £20 each or a family (a couple or parents and children under 16) can join for £40 per year.  Pick up an application form from the folder on the Friends' Noticeboard (to the right of the Box Office) or download a form from the link to the left or below.

Benefits include:

• Receive the Eastgate Programme first - thus priority for booking for shows hosted by the Eastgate
• 10% off in the  café and bar on production of your Friends Membership Card (from 1 June 2007)
• Concession ticket prices on Films for those who do not otherwise qualify
• Invitation to private views of exhibitions
• Opportunities to meet performers, enjoy back stage tours, attend talks and events arranged exclusively for Friends
• A good feeling in that you are supporting this wonderful Peebles' asset!

Pick up an application form at the Friends Noticeboard at the theatre (just to the right of the Box office) or download a copy.

(click here to download the form)

The Friends' Committee organised a Ceilidh at the Burgh Hall, Peebles on 26 January 2008.  Led by the HLI ceilidh band (pictured), a great night was enjoyed by over 90 people - young and old.  Apart from the energetic Scottish country dancing, we were entertained by some musicians and singers during a break in the dancing.

The ceilidh raised almost £500 to be used for the benefit of the Eastgate Theatre and this was topped up to around £600 with a raffle which raised over £100 due to some very generous donations of raffle prizes.

Thanks are due to all those who came along and supported the event.  If you missed it, then you can always come along to our next event - a Quiz Night at the Eastgate on Wednesday 19 March.  Teams of 4-6 (or more) will be invited from as many organisations that we can contact.  Tickets will cost £5 per head and will include a drink. 

Come along and enjoy a fun night which will also help to raise funds for your theatre.

I am pleased to report that "The Association of the Friends of the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre" is now a registered Scottish charity - charity number SC038370.

I would like to acknowledge the work put into the application for charity status by the Friends' Treasurer, Richard Rednall, who spent the best part of a year working on this.

The main benfit of charity status is "Gift Aid".  The means that for every £1 donated, we can claim an additonal 28p for the theatre.  Please consider ticking the Gift Aid box on the Friends Membership renewal form when paying your Friends subscription.  There are no other forms to complete.

George Davidson
Chairman