Memories

We saw a few pantomimes but the most memorable was seeing Jethro. I still chuckle at some of his jokes!

Lindy

I worked there when it was the center and sew all the pantomimes and I also saw Jethro

Rose

When I first came to Shepton Mallet I held Slimming World classes in various of the function rooms. Too many stairs really, but nice and central for all the members.

Susan

It must have been “Whole lotta’ led” back in the 90’s, went with Kev’ & Sandra. I couldn’t picture how the place was laid out back then but those floor plans clear that up.

John

I held my wedding reception here in 2001.

Sally

I worked there when it was The Centre back when it opened , I worked in the Black Swan restaurant kitchen, along with Pam,

Sandra

We held our wedding reception in the black swan in 1980 when my mum was bar manageress and Francis showering provided the official toast on every table.

Mike

We were here when the theatre school was still running and saw their production of The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. It was a great show, on our doorstep and in a proper theatre!! I still remember when the actress playing Aslan let out the most enormous lion’s roar.

Estelle

I played Father Christmas in that show!

Aaron

We held an annual tree frog party in the 80s, attended strode college discos and also there was a night club on a Friday which was always busy. We went to local gigs, pantomine, cinema, held lots of parties one of the last being our 40th birthday celebrations in 2004. Would use the black swan suite and the main hall. It made for a great place

Janine

Saw comedian Phil Cool in run up to UK tour.
Opening line was his difficulty in finding “The Centre” of Shepton Mallet.

Kim

Went to Pantomimes and to see theband Wishbone Ash. I believe my partner saw Status Quo in the early days there.

Collette

Also used to go to the help group Cruse every Fri there. Helping bereaved people.

Collette

Saturday morning pictures for children. I don’t think there was an adult in sight . Remember seeing Ghostbusters there as well in the evening with my mum.

Rebecca

Rebecca – stood outside waiting for the seats to be lowered. 😂 the good ol day x

Wayne

Wayne – have you still got your grand centre opening mug?

Rebecca

We walked to the Amulet in the snow to watch a pantomime.

Pam

Pantomimes, as well as the late Jethro. Magic evening great theatre and atmosphere spent with life long friends.
Loved the coffee shop

Cath

Performed G and S operetta there. Also went to pantos. All well attended and after parties x

Debbie

Loved the Pantomimes also used to go in on a Friday morning with friends for a cup of tea after school run.

Margaret

I worked there with my mum when it opened.

Susan

We saw Chas and Dave there once. Also held our 25th anniversary party and sons 18th at the Amulet. We also played skittles there when Showerings Sports and Social Club moved in. We sometimes went to the cinema and enjoyed many pantomimes over the years. It was a shame when it closed.

Ros

Went to Rock bitch in there quality night 🤘🤘

Shaun

I was employed by Barnes and son. And I helped to install the mechanism to raise the seating to use the dance floor beneath it was quite a piece of engineering and worked well

Steve

Pantomimes. I went with my mum to see frank ifield too. Saturday morning pictures

Lynn

Dressed up to sing in a show called Songs from the shows , coloured face black when we sang Old man river.

Gerald

Saw plenty of films there , went to parties and discos wedding receptions , pantos and went in there when Showerings club moved in , by that time it was starting to decay

Alan

I saw the real sooty a sweep with Harry Corbet 🤣🤣

Barrie

Saw K-Passa the cajun band there fabuluas, saw some films, played skittles and went to various parties & social gatherings there when we first moved to Shepton , happy days.

Goldie

My daughter did a ballet show there. We went to see 101 Dalmatian’s film. Also went to a dance at the Amulet

Cherry

Had a birthday party in the swan suite, and often visited the cafe.

Brenda

In the late 80’s Kev and I played there in our band. We’ve also had a few celebration meals. Bernie Winters [comedian who appeared with his huge dog] performed in a variety show. My daughter and I were in the show also. Happy memories.

Sandra

Saw Doctors 2 nights in a row.

Andrew

The Centre was responsible for me being in Shepton Mallet. In late 1976 I Worked in the coffee lounge ( downstairs) on Saturday mornings then a quick run upstairs to waitress the tables in the black swan suite for lunches. Finished about 2.30. Caught bus home then back again for 6.30 and the evening diners. They used to have dinner dances on Saturday nights. The floor in the ballroom was apparently sprung maple wood. The theatre seating came down from the ceiling. HMS ?Archroyal ? Marine Band played there several times. I believe Dick Marchant and Andrew (Puss) Catley were involved in the maintenance. At that time Mr and Mrs Franklin managed it. Lots of Christmas parties / buffets. Very busy evening in the week. Later not sure when possibly early mid 1980’s. It changed and lunches served downstairs from the bar opposite the coffee hatch. People I remember- Diane Marshman, Kim Church? I think, a lovely lady called Jenny who had two sons, a little lady called Mary, Cilla Carver ? It was v hard work but a great bunch to work with.

Andrea

Discos , weddings, concerts , films not to mention actually being on the stage myself singing or playing in a band.

Pat

Saw the Irish band The Fury’s.

Roger

I played saturday night skittles there and wells league skittles I also had my 40th birthday there .

Andrew

When it first opened I went there with my mum to a couple of cabaret nights, which were brilliant, then later played skittles there with showering club, we so badly need a place of entertainment for all ages in Shepton Mallet

Maria

Ozric Tentacles played there- it was a sell out. Great local gig for them as they lived in Coleford at the time. And Kevin Bloody Wilson played there twice. 😂 Centre Light Opera Club (CLOC) were housed there too.

Susan

I used to hire the main hall for Saturday Night Discos until it got so popular I had to move it to the Bath n West Showground. Great nights at The Centre. Still running now at The Bath n West with a lot of the original crowd who love 80s. Its called Boxers

Martin

Watched one of the rocky films there, also the saw doctors and was a fire steward there on the auditorium doors for Billy Bragg

Steve

Saw Richard Thompson there many years ago. I see he’s now playing at the Albert Hall!

Phil

Took my son to see Toy Story there. His first ever cinema experience 😊went to several wedding receptions there. “Modelled” on the stage for local clothes shop with Becky I believe too🤣 saw several live bands, From the hip, K Passa etc. Used the cafe they had downstairs a few times a week

Charlotte

Yes went to see a group playing think they came from Bristol can’t remember who but we’re good and nice atmosphere around 2000 I think

Sally

I used to do majorettes there loved it

Angela

I worked in the Black Swan Suite waiting tables at lunch, I remember the Rotary club lunches, and I heard Bohemian Rapsody for the first time while laying up, never heard anything like it before. Also Pantomimes that my grandchildren performed in, was a brilliant venue. The seats going into the ceiling was a first, we were so impressed with that.

Yasmyne

Our two daughters did several ballet tap shows there including one with Harry Corbett and sooty and sweep , centre light opera began there and did many shows , chamber of commerce had several dinners there both in the main hall and the black swan suite I use to drop my children off on a Saturday morning for the pictures , and ofcourse the local pantomime which we always supported and our daughter was one of the dancers taking part , The centre of dancing held their dancing lessons there , lots of great memories 🤗

Pat

First memories was going to the pictures as a child with my 2 sisters no parents watching digby the biggest dog in the world, herby and grizzly, remember watching some Russian Cossack dancers, then pantomimes, as a teenager met up with friends on a Saturday
morning for coffee or coke, and also discos , loved the black swan suite, bands and weddings. Loved it great memories.❤️

Alison

In the late 70s/early 80s I attended ballet and tap dancing classes – The Centre School of Dancing run by Di Tothill and Mrs Collinson? We often put on shows.
My parents always took us to watch the pantomime by Shepton Mallet Theatre Group, always a brilliant show, with fantastic scenery and special effects.
As an adult the Black Swan suite was home to my skittle team
I also attended a wedding reception in the main theatre (hall – the seats were raised to the ceiling)
All very fond memories of a great venue

Sarah

Went to a couple of dances there. My late mum took my daughter there to see Bambi. Think they both cried! Also saw pantos there – my daughter was in a couple at least. She also had her 18th party there. Think it got used for elections. Mendip took it on and reopened the downstairs cafe but it never really got going again.

Rachel

Many a night at discos and parties in the main hall and Black Swan Suite. It really was the placd to go.
Also went to a couple of wedding receptions.
Then a few years later when my boys were small, we saw a couple of films there.

Teresa

As a teenager / young adult our friendship group regularly used the amulet, unable to drive, it was a fantastic resource on our doorstep. It was hugely popular and I think it could be again.

Mary

Had many an evening dancing to live music on that wonderful floor, had meals in the black Swan suite and loved coffee in the Foyle on super comfy chairs in the mornings. Such a sad miss 

Lyn

I worked there when it was the Centre, in the kitchen and waitressing also usherette at cinema #greatmemories

Annie