THE first exhibition staged by the heritage group which has been exploring the social heritage of Trinity Methodist Church was a resounding success.

More than 250 visitors viewed the extensive collection of photographs and other memorabilia on display in the church during the Penarth Summer Festival.

More than 70 people attended a reception on Friday, July 10, to celebrate the exhibition. Among the guests were the town mayor, Cllr Rosemary Cook, and her husband Peter, together with Cllr Anthony Ernest – who was once a cub at Trinity – and Cllrs Martin Turner and Clive Williams.

Many former members of the Trinity Youth Club recognised themselves in the photograph published in the Penarth Times last month and attended the reception, spending a happy couple of hours reminiscing about past drama productions and other activities. Among them were Angela Scriven, daughter of well-known former leader Bert Scriven, who travelled from Bristol to be there, and Sonja Bool from Llantwit Major, who met up with people she had not seen for 40 years.

William Gibbs, son of drama group founders John and Sheila Gibbs, enjoyed meeting many people who had taken part in productions from 1945 onwards, when the Trinity Drama Group had a nationwide reputation and performed on several occasions at the Royal Albert Hall.

For internationally renowned organist and musicologist David Ponsford, the exhibition evoked memories of his late father, Howard, who was Musical Director at Trinity.

David played the piano for the acclaimed 1968 drama group production of 1066 And All That.

It is intended that all of the exhibits, together with other items which visitors to the exhibition have promised to lend for copying, will find a place in a digital archive which the Trinity Heritage Group is compiling.

Further information on this is available on the church website at www.trinitypenarth.org.uk