WITH All The World’s A Stage as its theme, the group, on June 12, was treated to a tour of Salisbury's historic entertainment sites.

As far back as 1603, there was a staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Old George Inn in the High Street.

In the following century the Harris family started what was to become the Salisbury Music Festival using Malmesbury House as its base.

At about this time, Benjamin Banks in Catherine Street was gaining an international reputation as a maker of stringed instruments.

There used to be a theatre in New Street on the site of the now closed Art College, one in St Thomas’s Square and yet another, also in New Street, called The Hall and built by Alderman Hussey in the 18th century.

Assembly rooms were then becoming fashionable, with one attached to the Fountain Inn in the High Street and another built in 1802, where Waterstone’s now stands, with a reputation rivalling Bath.

The Society next meets on Tuesday, September 3 at 7.30pm in Morgan’s Vale and Woodfalls Village Hall to hear about the Wiltshire Victoria County History.

All are welcome.

Inquiries to Kate Crouch, 01725 511922.