'Pre-FT PRODUCTIONS'

​Ronald Fletcher ('The Lord Chancellor' in this production of 'Iolanthe' ) was the rector of the parish of Broughton Poggs from 1930 to 1942. In fact, Mr Fletcher was the last rector, for in 1942 Broughton Poggs was re-united with Filkins parish. 'Re-united', for there had been a short-lived unification after St Peter's Church, Filkins was built in 1857.

   You can find more information about the Parish of Broughton Poggs in the booklet 'Two Churches: one Saint Peter' available from The Filkins Press.

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Robert Morley (who painted the backdrops for several of Mr Fletcher's productions), was born in London on 30 July 1857. He was a well-known artist, studying first at The Slade, and afterwards in Munich and Rome. He married Mary Hodgkinson in 1895, and they lived at Tilford Farm House, Farnham, and later in Frensham, and then Stroud.

   Morley was a member of The Royal Society of British Artists, and a prolific painter of animal subjects, landscapes, genre, and historical subjects, which he exhibited widely.

   In 1924, Morley moved to Langford, and then to the house next to what was Barclays Bank in Lechlade Market Square, which now bears his name: Morley House.

   Presumably it was during these years that he got to know Ronald Fletcher and became involved in local theatre.

   Robert Morley died in 1941.