FARINGDON Dramatic Society members believe they are winning growing support for their ambitions to spearhead a new local Trust to take over the development and running of the town's Theatre.

But as expected, the annual meeting of the Society was vehemently opposed to any scheme which would bring them under the umbrella of the Community Association - as 'franchisees' or in any other guise.

The members decided, instead, to seek a long lease of 20-25 years directly from the Town Council. The plan would be dependent upon the Theatre being physically separated from the rest of the Community Centre. They are determined that no revenue from the theatre should be used to prop up debts incurred by the Association.

Explained spokesman Tim Reeves: "All the proposals made in the Town Council discussion document for the new management structure of the Theatre were unpopular with the meeting, since they all rely upon a single structure for both the Theatre and the rest of the Community Centre. The meeting felt that the past experience of the Society was that this would be likely to lead to conflicts of interest in the running of the Theatre, and accentuate communication problems - fundamentally the same reasons that the Society decided to separate from the Community Association in 1995."

The Society believes that a long-term lease would make it easier to obtain grant-funding. It wants to be a major shareholder in a new Limited Company in which other organisations in the town would be invited to join. The major refurbishment of the Theatre, possibly including fixed seating, upgraded lighting and sound and even cinema equipment, would become a community enterprise.

But the whole future of the Community Centre is still highly uncertain. The rescue package which could be offered by Morlands Brewery in return for the right to take over the Community Centre bar operation, is expected to be on the table for consideration by Community Association members at a special meeting on June 29. But there remains the option that members could decide to wind up the Association altogether.

The following night, June 30, Faringdon Town Council is also holding a special meeting of its own. Councillors may be asked to vote on a scheme in which they would take over responsibility for direct management of some aspects of the Centre as one of a number of 'stakeholders' which would include Morlands running the bar. Alternatively, they may be faced with taking back entire responsibility for the building as main leaseholders.

It remains to be seen whether the Dramatic Society's ambitions for separating the Theatre from the rest of the building and from any Association involvement, can be accommodated or will win support.

In any case, any proposed new arrangements are likely to come under scrutiny from the owner of the building, Lord Faringdon - who leased it to the town under a 60-year deal. Through a sharp letter to the Town Council from his agent, he has already expressed concern over various aspects of both the past management regime and the condition of the building, as well as seeking details of the schemes proposed. The Council asked for a meeting with him, before pursuing any of the options.