The president of a Summerseat drama society has been honoured by King Charles for his 50 years of service to local theatre.
Geoffrey Sword, 82, founded the Summerseat Players with his wife Kay in 1968 and has been helping to entertain audiences in the village and beyond ever since.
This week, it was announced that Geoffrey would receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) as part of the King’s annual Birthday Honours.
The former chair, and now president of the society, was nominated for services to drama and to the community in Greater Manchester and East Lancashire.
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Geoffrey helped to establish the Summerseat Players after moving to the area from the Wirral, and secured its first permanent location at St Wilfred’s church hall on Waterside Street, Summerseat.
In 1990, the players purchased a former cinema and snooker hall in Ramsbottom which they transformed into the Theatre Royal, on Smithy Street, where the players still perform today.
The theatre has helped launch the careers of several well-known faces, including Ralf Little, who stars as DI Neville Parker in BBC1’s crime drama Death In Paradise.
In 2017, the players celebrated their 50th birthday.
Speaking about his award, Geoffrey, who has directed 58 plays for the society, says he never expected he would achieve such an honour.
He said: “It’s fantastic, I never in a million years ever thought I’d receive one.
“How it came about I have no idea.
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“I am very proud of what I have done and it’s something that I have never even dreamed of, I’m looking forward to having it presented.
“I’m very proud that I’m serving Manchester and East Lancashire.”
Geoffrey says the Summerseat Players are the ‘best dramatic society in the North West’ and emphasised the importance of nurturing local theatre.
He said: “We’ve got to entertain people, they can meet their friends and have a very enjoyable night and doesn’t cost them a fortune.
“I think the performances are just as good as the professional ones, they can have a good time and go and see a good play.”
He thanked everyone who was helped the Summerseat Players to grow over the years, and particularly his wife Kay.
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