100 Years of CDS | Colnelittletheatre

August 9th 2026

🎭 100 Years of Colne Dramatic Society 🎭100 years. One little theatre.

Countless stories. And generations of people who have made Colne Dramatic Society what it is today.

What an incredible milestone we have reached as we enter our Centenary Year. For 100 years, people have walked through the doors of the Little Theatre, and previous locations, perhaps nervous before their first performance, excited for opening night, busy backstage, rehearsing late into the evening, building sets, making costumes, selling tickets, serving refreshments, welcoming audiences — or simply sitting in the darkness, waiting for the curtain to rise.For 100 years there have been plays, laughter, friendships, celebrations, challenges, hard work, happy memories and moments that have stayed with people for a lifetime.And yesterday, we had the privilege of celebrating all of that at our Centenary Celebration at the Little Theatre, Colne.

It was a very special afternoon — one filled not only with celebration, but with memories of those who have been part of our story over the last century.

Wonderful words were shared by our Chair, John Mills, the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, and one of our much-loved long-standing members, Beverly McKiernan.

Our archives were opened for everyone to explore — 100 years of photographs, programmes, documents and memories carefully preserved for future generations.

And perhaps one of the most poignant moments was watching recently discovered footage from the very early days of the Society. To see faces from another time, people who stood on the same stage and shared the same love of theatre, was a truly wonderful reminder that although the years pass, the spirit of Colne Dramatic Society lives on.

We were also delighted to bring a little piece of our history back to life with a costumed reading of the very first production staged by CDS in 1926 — the one-act Greek tragedy Paris and Oneone.

A wonderful afternoon tea was enjoyed by all, followed by fantastic live musical entertainment from the fabulous Leighton Hunt and the always entertaining Flat Cap Pack.

Our sincere thanks go to them all for giving their time and helping make our celebration even more memorable.

We were also incredibly honoured to be presented with a special award by the Chair of ACT — a very special recognition that will be treasured and proudly displayed at the theatre for many years to come.

And now for the thank-yous…

There are so many people to thank that words can hardly do justice to the past 100 years.

Firstly, to every single person who has been part of Colne Dramatic Society since 1926.

To those who stood beneath the lights and those who worked quietly behind the scenes.

To actors, directors, stage managers, set builders, costume makers, lighting and sound crews, front-of-house teams, committee members, volunteers and everyone who gave their time, energy and talents to the Society.

Some we have known.

Some we have never met.

Some are remembered through photographs and programmes.

Some through stories passed down from one generation to another.

But every one of them matters.

Every person who ever walked through those doors left a little piece of themselves behind — and together, those pieces have created the history we are so proud to celebrate today.

To all those people, past and present, thank you.

Secondly, to our wonderful current committee and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to make this celebration so special and to make our theatre look absolutely amazing.

And finally, to our audiences, visitors, friends and supporters.

Because theatre is nothing without the people who come through the doors.

Every ticket bought, every round of applause, every kind word, every return visit and every person who has encouraged us along the way has helped keep this little theatre alive.

The Little Theatre and Colne Dramatic Society would not be here 100 years later without you.

Yesterday wasn't simply a celebration of an organisation that has reached 100 years.

It was a celebration of people.

Of memories.

Of friendships.

Of generations.

Of a love of theatre that has been passed from one person to another for a whole century.

And as we look back with enormous pride at everything that has gone before, we also look forward with excitement to everything still to come.

The curtain may have risen for the first time in 1926…

…but the story isn't over yet.

Here's to the next chapter.

Here's to the people who will join us along the way.