High Tor Players is gathering together past and present members for a party on Saturday to mark the milestone.

The group, named after the guest house it used to rehearse in, has been entertaining people with a range of shows from serious drama, Shakespeare, comedy and farce, since 1937.

Veteran player, Joyce Renner has been part of the group for over 50 years.

Matlock resident, Joyce, joined the group in 1956 at the age of 28 and has taken many lead roles over the years, including playing the snow queen in a 1969 production.

She said: “It’s been wonderful and I have made so many friends over the years.”

She added that rehearsals were underway for the group’s next production, Fallen Angels, a three act play about two women in the 1920s who had an affair with the same man.

Chair of the players, Liz Mckenzie, said Joyce was a marvellous member who could have been a professional actor.

She added: “We have a really good core of very talented people and they tackle a huge variety of styles from high drama to comedy.

“A number of people have stayed for many years including Joyce, Dennis Todd and Liz Haynes, they have taken key roles and been involved with directing.”

The players have won many awards or their productions and past member Deric Longden has gone on to become a successful writer and broadcaster.

Liz said: “It is always fun and you meet a lot of people from all walks of life with lots of different experiences.”

She added the group was always on the look out for new actors and people to help with stage-building, painting or lighting.

Fallen Angels is at Ashover Parish Rooms at 7.30pm from April 10-12.