THE doorway to Number 8 was opened by a small group of devotees who only wanted to bring a small theatre stage to Pershore and who gained themselves a whole Arts and Community Centre instead.

Two members of that small band, Ray Steadman and Jane Daniels, are now joint general managers and the driving force behind the very successful arts centre.

Working on a voluntary basis six days a week and evenings, the two leading stars not only show their dedication but are still very actively moving the centre into the arts arena with impressive plans for the next development stage.

Talking to retired police superintendent, Ray, about the achievement, it is impossible not to get caught up with the excitement as he enthusiastically expounds on their project.

"It began in my front room when a small group of us decided we needed somewhere for the local amateur dramatic group to set up a stage and it very soon became apparent we actually needed much more," he said.

Jane, who owns a clothing shop in the town, Blue, added that Pershore had no village hall and there was little more entertainment for local people than a lot of pubs.

"We had no facilities in Pershore and the only place to go in the evening was one of the pubs," she said. "If we wanted to see a play or go to the cinema then we would have to go to Worcester." Ray added that although the crime rate was low in Pershore, the fear of crime was high and the town needed some more cultural expansion.

This became part of the larger plan that would restore one of the town's prominent buildings and create a £1.4 million arts and community centre.

"We had to raise £600,000 and we did that by opening a charity shop which is still running and nets us £100,000 a year profit!" Ray said. Support also came from Wychavon District Council and Lottery funding and the 'famous five' who are: Ray and Jane, David and Jan Browning and Keith Goddard who worked tirelessly, along with an army of 230 volunteers.

The whole venture has been an inspiration in the making, says Ray. "From the start it's been self-sufficient and that's because it has few paid staff, although we are now looking to expand that and will be employing an operations manager who will take over the roles that Jane and I play at the moment," he said. As for Ray and Jane, they will continue to fund-raise to pay for the next development stage - first and second floors above the foyer. "We're planning to put a staircase in the foyer to take the overflow of people who turn up for performances and on the top floor we want to make offices," he said.