BRIDGWATER and District Civic Society starts its 2018 talks programme with Phil Shepherd from Bridgwater's Engine Room.

Mr Shepherd will be telling the success story of the arts and culture project in Bridgwater High Street and showing some archive footage of Somerset.

“We opened the Engine Room community media centre on High Street Bridgwater in 2003 and over the past fifteen years we have welcomed an average of 5,000 plus users per year through our doors," Mr Shepherd said.

"We have offered a wide range of free and affordable services to artists working in all genres and to the general public services ranging from simple internet access and support to degree-level digital media training, from research facilities to screening and event spaces, from creative mentoring to crewing and equipping on a wide range of projects."

All of this has been delivered in what was once a Reliant Robin showroom adjoined to the Tourist Information Centre.

"We aim to maximise the strength of our town centre location and well-established local links with a wide variety of community organisations," Mr Shepherd added.

The talk takes place at the Victoria Centre in Victoria Park on Wednesday, January 10 at 7.30pm.

The talk is free to Civic Society members, visitors £3. Membership of the Bridgwater and District Civic Society costs £10 for adults, £5 for up to two extra family members, £5 for students and the unemployed.

Contact Dave Chapple on 07707 869 144 or davechapple@btinternet.com.