Winefred is first community play in East Devon for more than 30 years

SIDBURY director Penny Elsom formed The Heritage Players to stage the first community play in East Devon for more than 30 years.

Winefred is the fast-moving story of an abandoned mother and daughter, smuggling, love, betrayal and the great landslip of 1839 between Lyme Regis and Seaton.

It will be performed at Seaton Town Hall from Tuesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 30 from 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday.

More than 100 will take part in the play, which has been adapted for the stage by Seaton resident John Seward, a member of Seaton Visitor Centre Trust, which is partly funding the project.

The Trust chose Winefred to act as a catalyst, drawing the community together to celebrate and learn about the heritage, geology and history of this area.

The play is based on the novel Winefred by Victorian Devon parson, Sabine Baring-Gould, and features Beer’s notorious smuggler Jack Rattenbury.

Baring-Gould, best known for writing the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers, was an avid collector of 19th century folk music and Paul Wilson of Wren Music – Devon’s folk and community arts development organisation – has arranged folk music and song for the project.

Seaton dance teacher Sara Perry of Confi-dance, directs the +dancing.

As well as the Making it Local grant through the SVCT, local businesses are backing the project and Lyme Bay Winery is supplying Jack Ratt cider for the bar.

A descendant of the smuggler, Brian Rattenbury, from Lyme Regis, plays Job in the play.

There will be tiered seating and ticket prices (�8 adults, �4 under 16s) have been kept low to encourage people to bring their families.

They are available from Seaton Town Hall Box Office (01297) 625699 between 10am and 1pm Monday to Saturday.