JUST over 40 years ago an ambitious project was undertaken to turn a threatened 13th century church into a thriving centre for arts and culture in Salisbury.

The seven month experiment in 1975 at St Edmund's Church survived a tumultuous beginning, including a narrow vote for essential funding from Salisbury District Council, who agreed to buy the building in 1976.

Roger Townsend, a county councillor at the time, told the Journal 40 years ago it was about "preserving St Edmund's for Salisbury".

He added: "Instead of the church being locked up, it will be alive — it is up to the people of Salisbury to make sure it stays alive".

And over the last 40 years Salisbury Arts Centre has more than stayed alive, providing many memorable acts after being transformed into a community arts centre. Now it has launched its ruby anniversary season with its usual collection of world music, theatre, dance, comedy and workshops.

To mark the occasion, the Arts Centre will begin its autumn season on Saturday, September 5 with a special Family Fiesta pARTy during the day and a Ruby Birthday Party in the evening.

The Family Fiesta will be free to the public and visitors can enjoy a giant birthday cake to go with a day of performances and workshops.

The evening party will include stagings by ex-staff member and Indie Folk sensation Beck Goldsmith, Sky Arts ‘Guitar Star’ Darren Hodge and ‘Top Latin Band’ Salsaology.

Director Gemma Okell said: "The last forty years haven’t been without their ups and downs but at every turn the community has been there to support the Arts Centre.

"The organisation has grown considerably over the last forty years and we have a vibrant legacy and an exciting future ahead of us. If you value the experiences you’ve had here and our contribution to Wiltshire life then we hope you will consider attending to support our next forty years."

The venue’s 40th anniversary music season will include performances from BBC Folk Award winners Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin on Thursday, October 1. A special gig featuring Baka Beyond bringing together African musicians on Friday, October 16. Jazz icon Liane Carroll will perform as part of Celebrate Voice on Friday, October 23. Exuberant Irish Folk group Kila, Cuba’s Son Yambu and the Bikini Beach Band will end the season in December.

Comedy will include Sean Hughes fighting a battle between common sense and mumbo jumbo and Jenny Eclair addressing the challenges of being a middle-aged woman.

In more thought-provoking celebrations, the Arts Centre will be exploring strong female role models. There will be performances inspired by Frida Kahlo and Dorothy Lawrence who fought during the First World War.

Gemma continued: “The return of LipService Theatre who performed Inspector Norse here in 2013 and then again as part of the Festival is firmly marked in my diary. They will be performing The Picture of Doreen Gray, which promises to be every bit as funny as Inspector Norse.”

“Da-Da-Darling is a work we’ve supported Impermanence Dance Theatre to make. They’re a young company who all trained at Rambert. The quality of their dance and performance is outstanding and this particular piece is a wonderful mix of darkly comic and absurd.

“But my personal highlight of the season has to be Huun Huur Tu. The effect this group’s other-worldly throat singing has on an audience is quite extraordinary. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”

Details of the full autumn programme are available at salisburyartscentre.co.uk or through the Box Office on 01722 321744.