Drake Hall Dramatic Society, Drake Hall, near Eccleshall

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Date:1945

Description:Page 28 of 'Drake Hall - A War-Time Hostel', a souvenir book produced for staff and residents at the Swynnerton Royal Ordinance Factory hostel at Drake Hall, produced in 1945. A performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare. The text reads:

"Whether it be revue, pantomime or the classics, the Drake Hall Dramatic Society seems to take everything in its stride as their interpretation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" proved. The choir, under the direction of Mrs. Shillito, gave a delightful rendering of Mendlessohn's music. Mr. Peter Slade, L.E.A., the producer, and the whole of the cast are to be congratulated on a very fine piece of work."

Drake Hall was built by the Ministry of Supply to accommodate munitions at nearby R.O.F. Swynnerton and opened in 1942. It was named after Sir Francis Drake. There were 15 residential blocks, each with a male name, arranged alphabetically. At the centre of the site was an assembly hall, games room, canteen, kitchen, sick bay and administrative block. Many of the residents came from Ireland and Scotland and the Manager was Mr J.H. Damms. The Manageress and Welfare Officer was Mrs D.H. Damms. A wide range of activities, entertainments, talks, lectures and dramatic productions were put on for the residents, as well as a wide range of indoor games and sport, including netball, hockey, tennis, badminton, cricket and football.

Towards the end of the War Drake Hall hosted 132 evacuees, all of whom were old age pensioners. It closed shortly after the end of the Second World War but reopened in the 1960s as a male open prison. In 1974 it became a female open prison. Most of the accommodation blocks were rebuilt in 1994-95 and in 2009 it became a closed prison.

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Image courtesy of: Mr Phillip Leason

Donor ref:(55/35268)

Source: Miscellaneous Collection

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