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| History Castle Street in Bridgwater, where the Arts Centre stands,
was built upon the derelict site of Bridgwater Castle which was dismantled on the orders
of parliament. The eighteenth century was a time when the town of Bridgwater created great
wealth and Castle Street was built as a speculative development. The houses are built of
local brick with ashlar dressings and were designed by the architect Benjamin Holloway.
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Construction began
in 1723 on the orders of James Brydges, first Duke of Chandos. Castle Street was one of
the finest streets in Somerset and predates any of the 18th century domestic buildings in
Bath. Many of the original features of the house have gone. The Kelting Room contains the
most interesting architectural features. The plaster ceiling mouldings and the fireplace
are original, as are the wooden side cupboards, the window panels and window seats. The
fireplace is in the style of Robert Adam with a fine inverted arch fire basket made of
cast iron.
After the end of the 2nd W.W. number eleven Castle Street became available for sale or
rent. In 1945 Gwen Pollard who was a local patron of the Arts, realized that here was an
opportunity to open an Art Centre for the people of Bridgwater. Bridgwater Arts Centre was
opened on 10th October 1946, with the financial help of the newly established Arts
Council. It was the first Arts Centre in Britain to open with Arts Council support. A
portrait of Gwen Pollard still hangs in the Kelting Room in recognition of her influence
and commitment in getting the original Arts Centre open.
The building was purchased by Bridgwater Borough Council in 1966, which then passed into
the ownership of Sedgemoor District Council in 1974. Number eleven Castle Street was
acquired in 1982, on condition that members of the Arts Centre took responsibility for it
and any costs involved in refurbishing the interior.
Bridgwater Arts Centre continues to be committed to providing the communities of Sedgemoor
and the wider region with the highest quality of theatrical, artistic, creative and
cultural opportunities to engage with as wide a range as possible of the Arts. We continue
to offer a diverse programme of performance art and visual art with strong emphasis on
participation. Our current brochure details the range of activities available to the
community during the coming Season. |
Information obtained from:
“A Commemmorative Programme 1946-1996” compiled by J Allen,
“ The Parrett Mouth” by J Crowden & P Rook, “Bridgwater” by B
Dunning 1992.
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