ANDOVER Music Club is fast approaching its 58th season but has suddenly been forced to find an alternative venue because of the closure of Cricklade Theatre.

But chairman Richard Ryder said this week that they had managed to find an alternative venue at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Weyhill Road.

He said: "One of the problems we found was that venues either had enough capacity but didn't have adequate facilities like toilets, or the facilities were adequate but there was not enough room."

The club also looked at school venues but found that their programme often clashed with that of the school.

"The church is the best compromise that we could come up with," Mr Ryder added.

One problem is that pre-booked interval drinks will have to be organised within the church itself, whereas at Cricklade the audience could move out into the foyer.

The club is also trying to come to some arrangement for car parking, but with a strong subscription base Mr Ryder is hoping that audience figures will hold up. There is actually more capacity at the church than at Cricklade.

The Andover Music Club attracts some top class musicians during its six-concert season every year.

The first concert this year will feature The Emperor String Quartet on 23 September at 7.30pm in St Michael's and All Angels Church. They will be playing Haydn, Britten and Schubert.

Such is the reputation of the season that the well-known English Sinfonia asked to play in Andover. Their concert will be the last of the season on 17 March at 7.30pm.

As well as subscribing for the whole season, tickets may also be available for individual concerts at a cost of £10 per concert. Contact the treasurer Ron Woodgate on 01264 357842 for more details.