The society is run by the committee of St Nicolas Players who are a very friendly and easy going bunch of people. Although the day to day running and key decisions of the society are made by the committee, all members are encouraged to put forward suggestions and ideas.

The committee is elected every year at the Annual General Meeting, where the incumbent committee all resign and will either stand for re-election or step down. Any member may stand or nominate another for election. All members are entitled to vote. The current committee is as follows....

In April of 2010 we elected a new President of St Nicolas Players following the retirement of Sheila Robson from the post. George Ogden has been an active member of St Nics for many years both on stage and off. He is a very fine actor as well as being a thoroughly splendid chap, and I know as President he will continue to be an enormous asset to the society. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that I have no doubt we shall all draw upon many times in the future. I look forward to working with him and also seeing him on stage again very soon. I asked him if he would be kind enough to write a few words for the website for everyone to read. So, over to you George...

Hello, I thought I ought to introduce myself by way of St Nic's website. I'm George Ogden and I have the privilege and honour of being the new President of St Nics. Our previous president had served in this capacity for many years and we are grateful for her involvement and enthusiasm. We wish her many happy years in her new home in Harrogate.

My first recollection of an opportunity to take part in a production was at Junior School and even though I would have been mainly covered in a sheet, I was too shy. Thank goodness I've managed to get over that.

Jumping well over 40 years, we had moved to Brampton near Carlisle and the local group was the Brampton Players with their own theatre, a former church. I joined a short while after arriving in Brampton, not intending to act but just to help with scenery etc. That didn't last long because I was persuaded to take a part in Ayckbourn's Confusions. Hooked is the description I think! A short while later I joined the committee and subsequently appeared regularly in farces, pantomimes, musicals, comedies and outdoor Shakespeare productions.

We moved to Surfleet over 15 years ago and soon visited the relatively new South Holland Centre. St Nic's “Steel Magnolias” was superb but initially I joined the cast of Annie, a SADOS (Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) production, in the chorus but eventually played the part of The President in that production : an omen?

It wasn't long before I became more aware of St Nicolas Players, soon joined and over 10 years ago became a committee member. And what a dedicated, talented bunch they are! I have said it before and it is well worth repeating here. I never cease to be amazed at the enthusiasm, innovation, all round theatrical competence and sheer guts required to take on challenging productions which St Nics display year after year.

Taking chances in a theatrical sense is not without its dangers. Whilst the artistic content of a performance may be outstanding, the financial results often struggle to match it. To continue not only to survive but to progress in the years to come, St Nics must generate sufficient income to enable it to 'carry' those productions, though worthy, which do not stand on their own feet. In this regard our new Chairman, Troy Melvin, is convinced that we need to increase our efforts to improve our fund-raising and sponsorship. Not the easiest of tasks at the best of times and particularly so in the present economic climate but it can often be at times like this that fresh ideas force their way to the surface. So don't be shy. No-one has a monopoly on new ideas so if you have any thoughts on how St Nics can increase it's income please contact any committee member. St Nics always welcomes new ideas.

Finally, if you support our productions by attending and are a paid up member, thank you. If you support our productions by attending but are not a member, thank you but why not complete the circle by becoming a member? To anyone else who supports us in any way, thank you. We aim to be worthy of your support in all that we do and look forward to seeing you at all future productions.

George Ogden (President, St Nicolas Players)