One of the key figures behind the restoration of Buxton Opera House is standing down as chairman.
Michael Williams MBE was one of a small group of people who got together to save the Derbyshire theatre when it was threatened with closure in 1979.
The building, designed by famous theatre architect Frank Matcham, was then in a poor state of repair. It was operating as a cinema, with only occasional live performances.
There were fears that the theatre would never reopen if it closed. A major appeal was started to save it.
"The greatest difficulty we had to overcome was the thought that it would be impossible to raise the money,’’ said Michael Williams.
"But we knew if we could keep running costs to a minimum, we would be able to recruit volunteers locally to help us get the theatre open again."
More than half a million pounds was raised. The High Peak Theatre Trust was set up to run the Opera House as a charity and Michael Williams has been its chairman since 2005.
"I’m thrilled to bits at how the Opera House has developed," he added.
"I never dreamt when we started out in 1979 that we’d have the kind of programme we have now.
"The Opera House draws people in from all over the country and it’s something of which I’m immensely proud."
Michael Williams steps down from the board in May. The trust is inviting applications for a new chairman and directors. Details can be found at www.odgers.com/40061.